Wrecked

Chapter 3

Tony's mouth twisted into a grin, partially obscured by the goatee around his mouth. 'Doesn't everyone speak mermaid?'
Aria launched herself at Stark, sharp spines shooting out from underneath her nails. She snarled, revealing a mouthful of lethal teeth. In the blink of an eye, she transformed from a sweet, lovely and unassuming princess to the deadly siren she was.
Tony could have overpowered her. Without her heavy tail, she was lighter than he. He could have flipped her and pinned her, yet he lay perfectly still. He knew that were they on the open water, he would have been a dead man.
'Your secret is safe with me, princess.'
'Explain yourself, Stark.' Steve stood over the pair of them, a pistol leveled at the man's head. Friendship be damned, if Tony risked his princess's life, he would end him.
'I am a learned man. I have traveled far and wide. And I have never heard of the Kingdom of Sevonsee. But I have heard of the Seven Seas. And your sudden appearance in open ocean and the rumor of a male merfolk attacking at ship after you were brought abroad. I'm not an idiot.'
Aria straddled his chest, keeping her spines at his throat. Though she attempted to retract her teeth, as painful a process as walking was. 'But how do you speak my language?'
'I'm a genius, pumpkin. I heard you speaking to Rogers in court the few times you've graced us with your presence. I was able to pick up on it enough to speak to you this afternoon then I merely copied the sounds of the letters into the words I spoke.'
Aria grinned and it was frightening mix of too many teeth, human and mermaid. Tony gulped. 'You clever human.' She retracted her spines and raised her hands to Steve for him to place her on the bed. He uncocked his pistol and holstered it. He lifted her onto the bed. His strong hands smoothed the hair from her hair, tilting her head back.
'Are you alright?'
'I'm fine.' She smiled.
Tony lounged on the floor, lying on his side. 'But you, Rogers, are not.' Steve looked at him over his shoulder. 'You are so far under her siren's call. Tell me, Steve...would you have pulled that trigger if she told you too?'
'Without hesitation.'
'Yet you've known me for years. You've trusted me with your life on occasion. And you've known the princess here for a month? And you would have pulled the trigger.'
Tony let his words sink into his friend. Steve turned to face her, his fears clearly written on his face. 'I know I am bewitched. I fought it at first. But she is everything I desire in a woman, Anthony. I am drawn to her. Perhaps because she saved my life as a child. But I would do anything for her, on pain of death.'
He surprised them all by kissing her. His tongue stole into her mouth when she gasped in surprise. He cut his tongue upon the sharp edges of her teeth, filling their mouths with blood. She growled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling his body against hers and causing them to fall back on the bed.
Steve groaned and broke the kiss, trailing bloody kisses down her throat. He wanted her. He needed her. Yet he was terrified of that need and want. Aria gasped and writhed underneath, her nerves set on fire by his touch. He came back to himself, remembering they were not alone.
Tony met Steve's gaze over his shoulder. 'Don't you kids mind me.' He grinned and flicked his eyebrows up. Steve laughed and rolled off Aria. Tony joined in. 'Oh my boy, you are well and truly gone for her.' He stood and brushed himself off. 'Which is why I'm going to give you this warning...Prince Rumlow, while not the brightest star in the sky, is no fool. If he figures out that you are a mermaid, he will do unspeakable things to the both of you. For your legendary mermaid tears.'
'I believe he suspects already.'
'Then you must never let her out of your sight, Rogers. She is in grave danger and you are in a precarious position yourself.' He looked out the window at the ocean stretching as far as he could see. 'I will send you some lovely dresses. And you will wear them. And you will make yourself available to others in court and to the Prince himself if you value your life and Steve's. I want you to come by the manor at week's end. I will summon Dr. Banner to examine your feet.'
Tony leaned over the bed, pressing his soft lips against her forehead. 'I'm already besotted by you, princess. In just the time I've been in this room. But my adoration runs along the paternal lines. I see the way Steve looks upon you. You have chosen him for your mate.' Aria had the decency to blush. Tony took his leave of them.
They laid in the bed in comfortable silence, listening the sound of the waves crash through the open balcony doors. The sun began to set. Steve rolled onto his side, gazing at her lovely face. His finger skimmed up her arm, leaving a trail of goose flesh that tickled her and pulled her nipples tight.
'So you have chosen me?'
Aria turned to meet his gaze. 'I have.'
'And what of the prince? What of your deal with the witch?'
'Hang them both.'
Steve leaned down pressed his lips to hers gently. 'I desire you, my princess.' His lips brushed hers as he spoke. He took her hand and brought it to his growing cock. She squeezed him and made him moan. 'Do you desire me?'
'Very much, my minnow.' She sighed into his mouth. 'But I do not know how things work in this human flesh.'
'I could show you...' It was his turn to sigh as she slit the laces of his trousers and reached inside to squeeze him. He pushed into her hand.
'But you are male...how could you possibly know the workings of a female anatomy?' Steve gave her a cheeky smirk then nipped her lip before sliding down her body. His hot mouth covered her pert nipple, sucking a mouthful of flesh as he tongue laved the hard teat. She gasped at the new sensation and arched her back. He kissed her sternum lightly then moved to the other breast, taking a mouthful of it and giving the nipple the same treatment, adding in a scrape of teeth as he palmed the breast he'd just left.
Princess Aria had touched herself, exploring the different sensations but never had she sought to pleasure herself, with the exception of Steve's attention to her feet. Never had they gotten much past frottage as she was want to work him up to the point that he needed release. She loved to hear his gasps and moans as he brought himself over. Now, she was curious if the same could be accomplished on her body.
'My minnow, I wish to mate with you...' She gasped as his hand trailed down her stomach to slip between her legs.
'I want nothing more, my princess.' His hot breath ghosted over her pubic mound as he nestled between her thighs. His warm strong hands smoothed up her cool thighs. 'But first I wish to taste you.'
They both froze at the loud knocking on the door. He moved off the bed to sit at the desk and she draped herself over the bed. The second barrage of knocking began. 'Enter!'
Jack firmly opened the door and stepped in. He raised an eyebrow, pursing his lips at her lounging nude form. 'The prince wishes your presence in his war room.' He looked to Steve. 'And make sure that thing is covered.' He sneered then slammed the door.
Steve let his head drop back, wondering how much Prince Rumlow and Lord Rollins suspected. He felt the light, cool touch of her fingertips on his throat before the press of her lips against his pulse. 'We will continue later, my minnow.'
'My princess, your feet.' She shrugged. The only indication of her pain was the slight wrinkling of her eyes. Steve's beauty was not only physical. It went deeper and struck primal chords in her mermaid nature. He was protective of her and strong, desirable qualities in a merman. Yet he was attentive and tender and sought to pleasure her...much like her Bucky, except for the pleasure part. She sighed.
'Dress me, my love?'
'It would be my honor.' He pushed up from the chair and retrieved a subtle yet elegant dress from the closet. She refused the bulky undergarments, letting him dress her in the white shift and lace the bodice then bringing the pale blue dress over it. He couldn't resist the kiss he placed on her cleavage. 'May I carry you?'
Aria gave a single shake of her head. 'They already suspect, my minnow. Lend me your arm.' He obliged her. By the time they reached the library, a fine tremor had taken the princess as she fought to keep her pain silent.
The royal guard opened the doors for them. Rumlow looked up from his whispered conversation with Rollins. 'Ah, Princess, wonderful of you to join me.' Jack turned and startled, not only to see her dressed but on her own feet. 'Please, have a seat.'
She sat in the only other chair, trying not to show her relief too much. 'Minnow, tell him I'm honored to be invited to share his presence.'
Steve nodded. 'Prince Rumlow, the princess says she is honored at your invitation.'
Rumlow grinned from ear to ear. Leaving her to wonder at his intentions had made her grow desperate. He stroked the Vandyke beard he'd grown since rescuing her. 'Against my confidant's advice, I would desire to court you, your highness.'
Aria demurred, smiled innocently. 'Tell him I am grateful and honored in his interest.'
Steve frowned and looked down at her before crouching at the arm of the chair. 'Princess? I thought-'
She turned to him, her eyes flashing at his defiance. 'Tell him, Steve Rogers.'
He sighed. Though he was confused and hurt, he would do what she said. He looked at her face as he spoke the words to Rumlow behind his back. He let her see every ounce of hurt the words caused him. 'The princess is grateful and honored in your interest, your majesty.'
'Now tell him that I'd like to begin courtship right away.'
'She says to tell you that she'd like to begin courtship right away.'
'Excellent! How about dinner the two of us, tomorrow evening in my private quarters? She could begin to teach me her language.'
Steve swallowed. 'Princess?' He saw her fear flicker through her eyes. 'You don't have to do this.' He took her hand and squeezed it.
It was Aria's turn to swallow. 'Tell him I accept.' She squeezed his hand as he started to pull away. Then she met his forlorn gaze. 'I have my reasons for this ploy, my minnow.' Steve forced himself to trust that she knew what she was doing. He stood and turned to face the prince.
'She accepts and says that nothing would please her more.'
Rumlow grinned at Rollins, who did not look convinced. 'You don't look happy about this development, Rogers. Have you begun to care for the princess?'
He sighed then openly gazed down on her. 'I have grown fond of her highness, yes.'
Rumlow clapped his shoulder. 'Shame you're not prince then, friend.' He walked to the bar and poured himself a tumbler of amber liquor then brought it to his lips. 'Oh you two may go. I'll send Jack to fetch her tomorrow evening.' Steve helped her to her feet and walked her to the door. 'And don't wait up.' The guards opened the door for them to exit then closed them behind the pair.
'I'm surprised she's so eager to begin courtship, Brock. The servants claim there is an affair taking place between them.'
'You mean they're fucking.'
Jack laughed. 'Not yet but as good as. Something about her frightens him. It unsettles me and you would do well to fear her.'
'That little cunt doesn't frighten me. I don't care who or what she is. If she is a mermaid, then I'll torture her and Rogers to get every last tear from her then watch the life pass from eyes as I strangle her in the marriage bed.'
'And if she isn't a mermaid, sire?'
'Then I will take what is mine and she will have an unfortunate accident.' Brock stared at the fire, sipping his amber alcohol. Jack smirked then stood and the left prince to his thoughts.