Return (Awakened Fate #3) - Hardcover Edition

For Chloe, the ocean was supposed to mean safety and for a time, it almost did. She overcame the Sylphaen's drugs. She discovered an unforeseen attraction to Zeke, one that he shares for her. A life underwater seemed possible, until she learned that nothing was as it appeared.

After an unspeakable betrayal shattered everything she thought she knew about Zeke's world, she and Zeke have fled the ocean for the one place Chloe never expected to want to go.

Home.

But the challenge of living as a mermaid over a thousand miles from the ocean isn’t the only problem facing her. Home has changed. Enemies are waiting, ones she never saw coming. Her little Kansas town is full of surprises.

Including Noah, the guy she left behind.

Dive into this thrilling, complete young adult mermaid fantasy series and discover the world readers love! Mind the cliffhanger.

The Awakened Fate Series (Now Complete!)

• #1 - Awaken
• #2 - Descend
• #3 - Return
• #3.5 - Abide: An Awakened Fate Novella
• #4 - Arise
• #5 - Become
• #6 - Rebirth
• #7 - Memory
• #8 - Defiance
• #9 - Destiny

CHLOE

I opened my eyes to sunshine pouring through the windows and the warmth of Zeke beside me. We were leaning against the truck door, his arms held me close, and my hand was on his chest.

A blush raced up my neck. Pushing away from the seat, I looked over at him. “I, um… ”

“Good morning,” he said into my awkward pause, a smile tugging at his lips.

I hesitated. He didn’t appear upset. And why would he? Zeke seemed like he’d wanted what had happened between us so far. I’d been the one to bring it to a stop.

Even if I’d wanted it as well.

I dropped my gaze from his. I’d been too tired last night to argue. Too tired to do more than welcome the chance to avoid the nightmares I’d known were waiting. And he’d felt wonderful, holding me in his arms.

He always felt wonderful.

My face grew hotter. “Morning,” I replied, my voice hoarse from the bruises I could feel on my neck. I shifted on the seat to pull away.

“Hey,” he said.

I froze.

“What’s wrong?”

I shook my head, the motion jerky and totally a lie. “Nothing.”

He paused. “Chloe.” His brow furrowed when I looked up at him. “Listen, I’m sorry about yesterday. Us. That’s not how I wanted…” The furrows deepened. “Well, any of that to be.”

“You didn’t?” I replied, confused.

He blinked. “No, I-I mean, I wanted that. I just didn’t mean to make things so…” he seemed to search for a word, “uncomfortable.”

I hesitated, not sure what to say. There was so much more to it than just those few minutes in the cave – amazing, awkward, mistaken, and incredible as they’d been.

“About that…” I began, shifting around to a more upright position on the bench seat.

His eyebrow rose.

“Back in Nyciena.” I drew a breath. “Everyone kind of had this idea about, um, us. About how we…”

His curiosity changed to discomfort as he understood. “Ah.”

I waited, not quite looking at him.

“Let me guess,” he supplied. “Ina said something.”

“Not really. It was mostly those Deiliora girls and Count Velior.”

“Velior?” he repeated, his voice hardening.

I gave a small shrug.

Zeke looked away, shaking his head to drive the anger from his face. “Sorry. That guy’s just such a…”

He trailed off.

“What is it you’re after, Zeke?” I asked quietly. “Really? Because they made it sound like you–”

“It’s not that,” he cut in, his tone harsh.

I was silent.

Zeke took a breath, still not turning back toward me. “I know the reputation I have. I know what some people say. And mostly…” He shook his head. “I’m not going to say they’re right, but I know what it might look like. But you’ve got to understand, where I come from this is all a game. Both sides, they know that. They prefer it that way. No one ever wants anything serious, or hardly ever, because they’re only after fun and what favors they can get.”

He paused. “And then there’s you. And you’re not like that. You don’t care about titles, or what advantage you can gain. With me, you’ve always just been… you. Even after you knew what and who I was, you didn’t change. You were still just you. Beautiful, real, you.” He gave a soft, incredulous chuckle. “You didn’t even care that I was a prince.”

I tried not to grimace. It wasn’t fair to say I hadn’t cared. I’d been shocked beyond words. I hadn’t known what to–

He seemed to pick up on my discomfort. “Not like the people where I’m from care,” he explained gently. “I’ve never known anyone like that. Not in my entire life. And even though you’re fascinating, and incredible, and I’ve wanted to be with you for, well,” the chuckle came again, “a lot longer than I let myself know… I think I was afraid that if I got caught up in that or changed how things were between us, I’d just screw everything up.” He shook his head. “I didn’t want to risk losing what I had with you.”

I swallowed, struggling to find words. He could be lying. Could be, except that if he was, his voice and face would put every con artist in history to shame. And then there was the simple question of who to believe. Zeke, who’d repeatedly risked his life to save me. Or a bunch of people I barely knew and couldn’t stand anyway.

“I don’t either,” I whispered.

For a moment, he was silent. His fingers found my own and his head cocked to the side questioningly, his gaze on our hands.

“This isn’t going to be the part where you tell me you just want to be friends, is it?” he asked carefully.

His eyes rose to meet mine.

A shiver ran through me. “Do you want it to be?” I replied just as carefully, my heart pounding.

He shook his head. “No.”

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NOTE: Casebound hardcovers do not come with a dust jacket. The cover image is printed directly on the hardback surface.

Genre: Young adult mermaid paranormal romance

Content:

• Swearing
• Violence (PG-13)
• Kidnapping
• Physical peril