The Merman and the Prince

Chapter 30

Kuroko's Pov

I came to with a thumping headache. I groaned and went to lift my arm up but it felt heavy and I heard the clink of metal. I opened my eyes and looked down to see a metal shackle with the chain keeping me tied to the wall. I looked around and took in my surroundings. I was in a cabin, not the Red Emperors. Whereas Akashi's cabin was warm and welcoming this one gave me the shivers. The walls were black and there was no decorations on the walls except weapons. Rows and rows of knives and swords covered the dark walls and I swallowed in fear.

"You're awake."

I turned at the sound and saw Nash standing against the door, a smoke in his mouth as he looked down at me. I curled my tail closer around my body and glared back at him, not making a sound. He came closer and knelt before me, taking my chin into his hand and turning my face roughly to the side.

"I hit you pretty hard but you weren't out for long, resilient little bugger."

I slapped his hand away and shifted away from him. He looked at the red mark on his hand, a smirk on his face. I didn't even see the blow as he slapped me across my uninjured cheek. I clasped a hand to it, my eyes watering but I refused to cry in front of this monster. He gripped my chin again and this time I let him.

"You would do well to obey me."

He didn't threaten me but the promise was there under his cold words and I shivered despite the warmth in the small cabin. His face was an emotionless mask as he looked at my bruised face and I felt a stab of fear go through me. This man was a monster and I was at his mercy.

"Blue scales."

I flinched back as he ran a finger along my arms, circling the scales there. Remembering the sight of the bleeding Kagami I withdrew my arm, my eyes wide with fear. He simply grabbed it and yanked me forward, our faces scant inches apart.

"Don't move."

I sat frozen, my eyes closed, my body trembling as he ran his hands over my body, inspecting me. Ran his fingers through my hair and when he ran his hands down my tail I whimpered.

"Such unique colouring and you can change at any time, I have seen you."

His hands went to my hair and he yanked on it. I heard the slither of metal of a blade being drawn and looked up to see him cut my hair. With my lock of hair in his hands he left without another word. I lay down and hugged my tail to my chest. I saw the light glance of the ring that Akashi had given me and I closed my eyes, kissing it. My head was thumping and my cheek stung. Tears pricked in my eyes but I refused to give the hunters any more of me and blinked them away.

"Please save me Sei-kun."

A few hours later Nash returned with a bundle of clothes. He tossed them at me.

"Change."

I glared up at him but didn't move. This time it was his boot that lashed at me, connecting with the side of my head and I slumped to the ground, seeing stars. I heard him kneel beside me and touched a finger to the side of my lips, I could feel the sting that told me I was bleeding. I watched as he put the finger with my blood on it into his mouth.

"You shouldn't waste your blood, your precious. Change."

He moved back a few steps and as I pushed myself up on shaking arms. I slipped the large shirt on first and turned my back to him. I willed my tail to legs and quickly slipped on the breeches he had brought, glad that the shirt was long enough to keep me covered. I turned back to face him, my eyes burning with rage and shame. He was staring at me, stroking his chin in thought.