She desperately wanted to escape.
The man who'd chosen her last night-Shivawn-had attempted to ease her distress by explaining where she was and why she'd been brought here. Of course, his explanation had only intensified her fear.
Atlantis. Nymphs. Sex for survival. At first she hadn't wanted to believe him. However, after everything she'd witnessed today, she no longer had the luxury of disbelief. Sword fights and bejeweled walls. Silk pillows lining every wall with warriors having sex atop them. Mermaids and a crystal ceiling that produced light. Women going mad, becoming sex starved.
Shivawn had been ordered not to touch Brenna, so he'd tried to talk her into touching him. He'd expected the same easy and enthusiastic response. How surprised he'd been when his efforts were met with bouts of hysterical sobbing. Finally, though, he'd left her alone. And he'd been oddly sweet about the entire situation. Also surprisingly protective.
Still. He had to regret his choice already. He did regret. This morning, when she'd caught glimpses of the other warriors in bed with their chosen-no one closed their doors here-Shivawn had cursed at the couples, anger steeped in envy.
He wanted that for himself. But she couldn't give it to him. Not now, not ever.
Brenna had only allowed Shivawn to pick her from the lineup so that she would be taken away from the large group of men. One warrior she could fight and disable. But all of them? No way.
Part of her had wanted to go home, but she hadn't been sure she would survive another trip through the water. The other part of her hadn't wanted to go home. For the first time, she didn't have to worry about her ex-husband's threats.
Leave me, Bren, and I'll kill you.
He was in prison, yes, but soon he would be up for parole.
She sighed. For the next several hours, she remained seated beside the unconscious man-Joachim-sponging a warm, wet rag over his forehead and doing everything in her power to make him comfortable and keep him from getting cold. As much blood as he'd lost, he was susceptible to hypothermia.
"Brenna." Shivawn's voice drifted from the doorway, jolting her. "Now that I know you're capable of speech, I long to talk with you. I'd love to know more about you."
"I..." She cleared her throat.
She'd been born in the US, though her family had come from a small village in Mexico. Different sicknesses killed her parents and sibling. Probably the reason she'd decided to become a doctor. She'd moved from foster home to foster home, from bad to worse to not too bad to worse again. Probably why she'd been so eager to hook up with Ethan. At eighteen they'd married.
Gonna have a family of my own again, she'd thought.
Shivawn sighed. "All right. We'll return to my chamber. You don't have to tell me anything until you're ready."
Her heart kicked into overdrive. Remain calm. She twisted in her chair. He stood there, strong and sure.
The guard remained in place but pretended to study the floor.
"Brenna," Shivawn repeated, extending his hand.
He was a handsome man, with brown hair and green eyes, and a part of her wished she were a normal woman who enjoyed men and sex and...fun.
Oh, I miss having fun.
But she shook her head in negation.
His shoulders slumped, his lips compressing into a thin line. "Why do you continue to deny me even the smallest concession?"
She hoped her narrowed gaze told him everything she wished she had the courage to say: You, caveman. Me, captive. Us, enemies.
The fact that he and his buddies saw nothing wrong with abducting women, well, they clearly needed some sense knocked into their thick skulls.
"Have I hurt you in any way?" he asked.
She shook her head a second time. He hadn't, and it still shocked her.
He stepped forward, his features softening. "I only wish to give you pleasure."
No. No! Fact was, she didn't think she was capable of experiencing sexual pleasure. Too many bad memories would taint the experience.
Again, she shook her head. "I'm staying here."
"Joachim doesn't need you. I do."
"No."
He stopped. His lips pursed.
Would her continued refusal cause him to erupt in fury? Would he try to force her? Would he morph from nice guy to beast?
A terrible sickness churned inside her stomach.
"I will never hurt you, Brenna. I will always protect and defend you. I'll even cherish you."
Maybe he would. Maybe he wouldn't.
She'd been watching and listening and she'd picked up a few tidbits. Every nymph had a mate. Someone he obsessed over.
She wasn't Shivawn's mate. Clearly. He wanted her, but he didn't need her. Not the way the king seemed to need the white-haired girl, Shaye.
One day, Shivawn would meet his mate and happily wash his hands of Brenna. What would happen to her then?
"No," she repeated. If ever she decided to risk being with a man and battling the worst of her memories, it would be with one far less intimidating. Someone who couldn't snap her neck with a flick of his wrist.