Harpy Boyfriend: Lykomedes #1 (special preview)

“So, this is what you’re up to these days?”

I jump and look around, seeing Lykomedes perched behind me. He’s gotten so big! Last time I saw him, he was a skinny, pointy little thing. Now looking at him, he’s huge. He’s got thick thighs and great big taloned feet. He’s covered in the glossiest black wings I have ever seen. His wings and arms are well toned, as are most harpies’. His chest is barreled and while he has a sloped waist, there is a thickness there.

“What are you doing here?” I spit at him. “Where the hell did you even come from? Shouldn’t you be dead already?”

Lykomedes scoffs and shakes his head. “So very nice to see you too, Mariska. Ma told me to come looking for you, said you might need help hunting.” His yellow eyes scan towards the boat and he smirks. “How’s that going, by the way?”

I slice my hands through the water, sending waves of water at him. “Get out of here! I am trying to do something!” 

“Playing dirty, huh?” Lykomedes chuckles. “Let me guess, you pretend to be the fragile damsel in distress. You fake cry and you make attractive promises to the sailors.”

I splash at him more but he hops over onto a high stone. 

Lykomedes’ wicked little grin grows bigger. He licks a black tongue along his lips and laughs. “Do you fuck them too or is that for just an emergency?”

I lunge at him, trying to scrape up the rock, but he jumps higher and away from me. “I don’t need you here! I do fine on my own! You’re going to mess this up for me!”

“Does Ma know this is how you feed the family?” Lykomedes taunts.

“She doesn’t need to know! As long as the kids are happy and healthy, that’s all that matters! Who gives a shit if I rob a few fishermen?”

Lykomedes whistles. “Wow, you have changed. Ma still thinks you’re the pretty little angelfish she saved all those years ago. Look at you now.”

“At least I’ve been here!” I bark at him.

His expression goes dark and serious. “Yes, you’ve been here,” he speaks with a voice that sends chills down my spine. “You’ve been too scared to leave Ma, haven’t you?” He rolls his eyes and lets out a wicked chuckle. “You’ve been terrified ever since you were little. It wouldn’t hurt you to venture out, you know? Maybe make yourself a better person.”

I glower at him. “You left and you still seem to be the same asshole as before. Only difference with you is that you’re huge and less appealing!”

Lykomedes licks the corner of his mouth. “Ah, you noticed?”

I look to see the ship getting closer and glare back at him. “Go away! I’m busy!”

“Maybe I could help,” he laughs. “Come on? Surely two fakers are better than one?”