“Fins?” Malachi asked.

  Cassidy smiled. “Wait till you see them in their other form. It’s amazing really. I’ve always wished I could shift to swim with them, but alas I can’t. It’s the one thing my father couldn’t give me, but I have fun with my wet suit and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

  Malachi was getting excited about tomorrow. Both of his mates loved the water, and he was bound to make sure he, too, enjoyed it as much as them. “How often do you have to be in the water, Krill?”

  “I need to be by the water, if not in it.”

  Chapter Six

  As soon as they stepped outside, Cassidy knew something was wrong. The tension in the air was thick as they moved around her home. Orin stood in front of her father King Byrne, with Nordstrom behind him.

  “Is there something wrong, Daddy?” she asked.

  “Please take my daughter back inside. I’ll speak with all of you tomorrow morning and explain then,” her father said.

  Malachi pulled her behind him, but she peeked to see her father wave his hand. In the blink of an eye, both Orin and Nordstrom disappeared. Cassidy had only seen that a few times, and it took a lot out of her father. “Come on,” she whispered, grabbing onto Malachi and Krill. “Let’s go. Father’s angry.”

  The winds picked up, the angry sea crashed into the shores below, echoing his rage.

  Inside the house, Krill locked the door behind them. “You okay?” he asked her.

  “Did you hear the sea? Whatever is going on, it’s big. Is it something you were working on?”

  “I believe so, but I cannot say yet. I have a feeling we all will be hearing about it in the morning.”

  Her stomach was in knots as she stepped into her room and froze, feeling the two men standing behind her. Never in a thousand years had she believed she’d find her mates, but it looked like fate had changed all that.

  “Relax, pretty lady. Nothing is going to happen tonight. Do what you would normally do when you are alone,” Krill said, pushing her farther into the room.

  She glanced at the corner cabinet where she kept her toys. Nope, not going to happen. She snatched up her sleep T-shirt. “Make yourselves at home. I’m going to hop in the tub,” she said then closed the bathroom door behind her and leaned against it.

  “I’m so screwed,” she muttered. The one thing Cassidy had indulged in was her whole master bathroom and bedroom. Her haven had taken her time to decorate, to create a place she could relax and be herself.

  She turned on the music, the sounds of the waves and the sax played as she stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the warm water that slowly filled her oversized tub. Relaxing against the back, she admired the mural she’d painted on the wall. Tears filled her eyes as she remembered her old friend, Mastif, missing him so much. He had been there that first day her father had taken her out to swim with the whales, and ever since then they had been inseparable until the last week had been missing.

  The door opened, and the two men entered, naked. She slid deeper into the water, trying to hide the scars she couldn’t remember getting.

  “My Little Whirlwind, why the tears?” Malachi asked. “You’re breaking our hearts here.”

  They climbed in with her, raising the level of the water and making the huge tub look small.

  “What? What are you doing?”

  “Did you paint this mural?” Krill asked. “My god, Cass, it looks just like him.”

  “That’s why you were crying. You miss him, don’t you?” Malachi asked, sliding behind her and pulling her against him.

  “In the human world, he would have been considered my pet. Every morning, he’d be waiting for me, he and his pod. If I could have swum all day with them, I would have, but Mom or Dad would come and pull me back home.” Cassidy relaxed against him and continued.

  “I’ll never forget when Mom took me down to Cork for some shopping one summer. We were there a week, and he found me. I don’t know how. I went out one morning, well, snuck out while Mom was sleeping, just needing to be in the water. After about thirty minutes, I turned to go back, and there he was. Needless to say, I changed my plans, but Mom found us an hour later. Of course, I got yelled at, but she and I spent that day in the ocean anyway just having fun. It was one of the best days I had with both of them.”

  “I do believe you get that gift from Reese,” Malachi said, nuzzling the top of her head. “I remember seeing him calm a dog that had cornered a child and was pretty much ready to attack, but your father walked in front of the animal, grabbed his head, and stared right into his eyes. He told us it had been abused. I believe even he took the mutt home with him.”

  “Well, I hope he found the ass who abused it. That is one thing I won’t tolerate. It’s why Nordstrom and I don’t see eye to eye, well one of them. I caught him kicking a dog one day. Needless to say, he didn’t appreciate getting kicked, either.”

  Krill picked up her foot and settled in on his lap.

  “Damn,” she moaned as he massaged her toes and arch.

  “Feel good, does it?” Krill smiled. “Tell us what you have been doing, other than your adventure that has truly helped our people. I’ve been gone so long, I have no idea what is going on.”

  “I mostly help Nessa with the twins and work on my projects to sell. On occasion, I head up the coast to Dundalk to relax at my little cottage, but I don’t go up there much anymore.”

  “Mastif was killed up there, wasn’t he?” Krill asked.

  “Yes, and I can’t prove it, but I swear it was Nordstrom, and if I ever find evidence to prove it, he’ll regret the day he touched him.”

  “Easy there, Cass. If you’re right, he will get what is coming to him. I’m a firm believer in Lady Karma,” Malachi said. “What do you think is going to happen tomorrow morning at breakfast?”

  She welcomed the change of subject.

  “First, tell me, did you call home and tell them about me?” she asked, a little nervous about that.

  “Yes, and if I’m not mistaken, my parents and siblings will most likely join us by tomorrow evening, since I’m the first to find true mates.”

  Cassidy shook her head. “Well, I guess a few more family won’t matter.”

  ***

  Malachi carried Cassidy into the bedroom, placing her in the middle of her bed. By the time they had given their woman a full rubdown and cleaned her, she had fallen fast asleep. He smiled down at her.

  “She sleeps hard,” he said, climbing into the bed next to her. He ran his finger over the small scar on her back. “She’s been through so much, hasn’t she?”

  Krill joined them. “She’s right about a few things. The king does believe Nordstrom killed Mastif. It seems, Nordstrom is obsessed with our mate, and the king has warned him. but still does not trust him. He and his wife come here for the bonfires, making sure everyone knows he is always watching his family. But our mate neglected to tell us about the little accidents that have been happening lately.” He rolled on his side, facing Malachi over their woman’s resting form.

  “I wasn’t supposed to be back for another year, but the king feels something is coming to a head and that Cassidy is in danger. The king knew Cassidy was my mate before I even left, but wanted to give her the time. But then she met her ex and was married to him for over ten years. What you told me about her ex earlier is not going to sit well at all with the king or the alpha, Nessa’s husband.”

  “Why did you leave for so long if you knew she was your mate? You had to know she was seeing him,” Malachi asked.

  “I was undercover for a decade, and by the time it was safe for me to come out, well, she was already pregnant with the twins. I couldn’t step between them then. So I waited at a distance. I’m far from a saint in this. I should have come home sooner, but what I was doing was so important, I couldn’t leave it. It still is.

  “There are over three hundred underwater cities on Earth. The one you will see tomorrow is small compared to others out there. King Hugh established this place for Cassidy.”

  “What?” Cassidy sat up. “Why wasn’t I told all this stuff, Krill?”

  “Cassidy calm down.” Malachi reached for her, but she scooted to the foot and out of bed.

  “He’s kept me safe, hasn’t he? That’s why he rarely leaves.” She plopped down at the end of the bed. “That’s where my brothers are, isn’t it?”

  “Hey now. Do you know how much your mother and father love you?” Krill got up and knelt in front of her. “They know you wouldn’t do well in the city and weren’t about to let their little girl be hurt or feel guilty.” Krill snorted. “But I think your mom was sick of the court life. All the women chasing after your dad and the backstabbing. Sure, there is some of that here, but not half as bad.”

  Cassidy went stiff. “Oh my god, they wouldn’t.”

  “What?” Krill frowned.

  “Wouldn’t what?” Malachi sat next to her.

  “I remember when I was small, right after Mom and Dad found me. There was this formal breakfast thing. I was getting ready to go swimming when I was informed, I had to attend the event, and I couldn’t figure out why until I saw all the people. Hell, I didn’t know we even had a hall that big until that day.” She pushed her hair back and smoothed the T-shirt down over her legs. “I bet the full court was there that day. What if they are coming tomorrow for breakfast?”

  Krill sat back on his butt. “They wouldn’t, would they?”

  Cassidy nodded. “I bet my brothers will be there, everyone, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Dad had all of your family there, too.”

  “Okay, you are getting hyped up. First, what is full court? How many are we talking about?” Malachi asked.

  Krill cringed. “With your families and such, I’m guessing over a thousand.”

  “You’re kidding, right?” Malachi said.

  “Well, that settles it, I need to take a sledge hammer to your father’s thick skull,” he grumbled, earning a laugh from Cassidy and a snort from Krill.

  “Wait, that means that you’re really a princess. Oh man.” Malachi fell back onto the bed moaning. “It’s bad enough we have a gorgeous woman as our mate then there is the fact she’s a princess, too. Do you know how many men we’re going to have to kill over the next few years?” he snarled.

  “Kill, what are you talking about? You are making no sense.” She slapped Malachi’s leg and he grabbed onto her hand, pulling her up over his body.

  “I make perfect sense, Princess. You know how many idiots will come out of the woodwork to kiss your feet, let alone try and take you from us?” He squeezed her bare ass cheek while giving her a quick kiss.

  “I’ve been a so-called princess for over fifty years, and no one has harassed me. Well, except Nordstrom, but he does not count because he’s just a psycho creep.”

  “Were you ever introduced to the court?” Malachi asked. “The full court?”

  “Well no, but surely…” she shook her head. “Once they learn we are full blood mates, they will leave me alone. They’re not going to bother us. Right?”

  “I do believe you are right. We are going to have a big problem. But then again, I’ve never turned down a fight yet,” Krill said.

  “No fighting,” Malachi and Cassidy said together.

  “Well, jeez, what a bunch of worry warts I have for mates.” He grinned. “Come on. It’s getting late, and if we want rest before the zoo arrives and your swim, we need to sleep now.” Krill tossed Cassidy on the bed, making her squeak.

  “Don’t do that. You could hurt yourself.” She laughed, pulling the covers over all three of them.

  “Please, you weigh nothing. Matter of fact, I think we need to put some weight on you, Cassidy,” Krill said. “Have you been eating right?”

  “I’m eating fine. Now turn off the light so I can sleep.” She turned over, facing Malachi and smiled. “Looks like we are both going to be surprised tomorrow. At least you get to meet my friends first.”

  After Krill crawled back into the bed and leaned over, placing a kiss on Cassidy’s cheek, Malachi wrapped his hand around his neck and pulled him over, covering his mouth with his.

  When he pulled back, he laughed at Cassidy’s shocked and passion-filled gaze and Krill’s stare. “Night, you two,” he said, placing a hard kiss on Cassidy’s lips before pulling her into his arms and squeezing Krill’s shoulder. “Sleep.”

  Chapter Seven

  Cassidy floated on the water. Turell eyed Reese and Malachi closely. The killer whale likely remembered Krill, since he ignored him.

  She placed her hand on him. “Family, big guy, family,” she whispered and felt Reese connect with Turell mentally.

  The big guy called out his approval of her father, but kept eyeing Malachi. Krill swam up to Malachi and wrapped his arms around him, holding him. At his acceptance of the stranger, all the whales in the pod jumped out of the water around them, urging them on, to play.

  Turell swept her father up on his fin and tossed him a few feet. He came up spitting water.

  “What? He was playing,” she giggled. For the next, hour, Maria, Alexander, Reese, Malachi, and Krill played and swam with her water pets. It was the most amazing thing, having her family there with her.

  After they crawled out of the ocean, Maria plopped down next to her and hugged her. “Thank you. One day soon I’d love to bring the grandchildren and my children here to meet your friends. You have shown us so much. You have our support, sister of mine. We will do anything we can to help with your adventure. Those great beasts should have a clean home, too.”

  “I have to agree,” Alexander said, helping them to their feet. “But we have thirty minutes to get ready for this breakfast.”

  “Great, just go and ruin my good time,” she mumbled. “Be prepared, I just learned about my father last night, and I’m afraid he might have full court here for breakfast.”

  “What? Are we talking formal?” Maria yelled. “I have no formal wear.”

  “Hey, neither do I and I’m not wearing formal wear for breakfast. Mother is lucky I’m cutting my ocean time to come,” she grumbled. “I’m wearing jeans and a sweater.”

  “Did you know your Turell came up really close to shore and waved at me?” her mother, Kat, said, smiling from ear to ear.

  “I saw that, and I’m glad you got a kick out of it, but he risked himself and I told him not to do it again. I still don’t know who killed his father, and I don’t want to risk him.” Cassidy sighed. “That sounded wrong. I’m sorry. I’m truly glad Turell knows you are important to me and recognizes you.” Cassidy placed a kiss on her mother’s cheek. “Let’s go get changed. We might as well get this over with.”

  Cassidy stopped and looked around, noticing more of her father’s men than normal. “Krill, what’s going on?”

  “I have no idea,” he replied. But I think we need to get moving. If something has happened. I don’t want you out here in the open,” he told her, wrapping his arm around her waist and urging her toward her home.

  “Do you think Nessa is okay?” she asked.

  “I’m sure Sean and King Byrne have doubled the guards there, too, if he feels a threat to you. He’s not going to allow anything to happen to your grandbabies,” Malachi said, winking at her as he opened the door to her home.

  Standing in the hall were her twin boys, Ronan and Barry.

  Ronan pulled her into a tight hug. “Grandpa called us home. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. I think your grandfather called you in because I have found my mates. Well, they found me. Nessa’s blood mother is here as well, with her mates, getting to know your sister, and I, too, have found my blood parents and brother,” she said, in a rush.

  “Mates, true mates?” Barry asked, stepping up and pulling her into a hug.

  She patted his chest. “Yes, real mates. Barry, Ronan, this is Krill Graham. You most likely remember his parents since they are close to your grandparents. He is from this area but just got back. On my left is Malachi Zimmer, alpha whatever you call it of his family-clan from Galway. He brought Faith up to meet Tessa. Now, move. We have to get changed. You know how much your grandfather hates to be kept waiting. Plus, I want the shower first.” She moved to her room, letting her mates deal with her sons. Both were old enough to deal with the situation.

  Rounding the corner, she ran smack into her father, Hugh. “Oh, sorry. Is something wrong?” she asked, as he pulled her into a hug.

  “I think we need to go below, now. Malachi, Krill, you don’t leave her side.”

  “I’m so, so sorry, baby. Your brother has saved your babies, but some might take a while to heal,” Cara informed her. Kat and Reese stood behind her.

  “No, how could they? Tonto? Have you seen Tonto? She was with us outside,” Cassidy called out for her, and her dog came running in from outside. “Take the babies and Tonto to my rooms below. I know they’ll be safe there, please.”

  As she knelt hugging her baby, King Byrne took her home, not giving her a choice. Cassidy appeared in his personal office, with Tonto, her mates behind her and her family.

  “Wow, what a ride,” Malachi said, placing his hand on her shoulder. “I take it we are now in the city in the water?”

  “Yes, okay, who hurt my babies and dare enter my home?” She was beyond pissed.

  ***

  “Go to your room and get ready for breakfast while I speak with your mates. The puppies will heal and are already there, and you can show Kat and Maria to the rooms beside yours.” The king turned his back, summarily dismissing her.

  Cassidy spun and moved to the door, but stopped, turning to look over her shoulder at her father. “I won’t stand aside this time, Dad. You wouldn’t tell me anything about Mastif, but this I will deal with.” She glared at him and waved her hand, the wall slid open. “Maria, Mom, follow me please, since we have been dismissed.”