Page 141 of Duskbound

"Careful now," I said, fighting a smile. "One might mistake you for a gentleman."

He shook his head, but I caught the semblance of a grin playing at his lips as he brushed past me and began setting up camp. Afterarranging the blankets, he dragged a few fallen logs from the treeline, arranging them near the cliff's edge before handing me the fire starter.

"I'll be back," he said simply, already heading down the slope toward the beach. "Think you can handle it?"

"I'll manage."

I rolled my eyes and began positioning the logs, working to create a proper fire pit. As I struck the flint against steel, my gaze drifted to the path he'd taken. I told myself I was just being vigilant, keeping track of his location, but then he pulled his shirt over his head and my eyes widened.

Heat slid across my face as he stripped off his leather pants, leaving him in only black undergarments. I told myself to look away.I should definitely look away. But I couldn't tear my eyes from him as he waded into the water, sword in hand.

The fire crackled beside me, finally catching, and I forced myself to turn back to it. A laugh escaped my lips as I arranged more kindling, wondering what the others would think if they could see the fearsome Umbra warrior now, hunting for fish in his underclothes.

Some time later, the sound of boots on grass made me look up. Aether stood there, fully dressed again, his sword skewered with four decent-sized fish.

"What?" I managed, taking in the sight.

"We're not wasting the opportunity to eat something recently alive," he said, giving me a knowing look that made my stomach flip—though that might have been from the thought of actual fresh fish after months of dried grains.

I could barely contain my excitement as he knelt by the fire and began preparing them, his movements practiced as he cleaned and gutted each one.

"Where did you learn all of this?" I asked, watching him work.

"You've seen my cabin." He positioned the fish over the flames. "It's where I spent most of my time before the drought."

I turned toward the coast, where the darkness of the ocean met the star-filled sky. Somewhere beyond that horizon lay Sídhe, and whatever awaited us there. The thought sent a chill down my spine that had nothing to do with the night air.

The smell of cooking fish drew me back to the present. Aether pulled one from the fire, testing its flesh with his fingers before handing it to me in a cloth. Steam rose from the crispy skin, and my mouth watered at the sight. This entire night felt surreal, sitting under the stars, the ocean air swimming in my lungs, the feeling of solitude—of being free in this untamed land.

I took a careful bite, and warmth flooded through me. The meat was flaky and perfect, seasoned with nothing but smoke and salt from the ocean. A sound escaped my throat—something between a laugh and a moan of pleasure.

"Good?" Aether asked, and when I looked up, that dimpled smile had returned.

I was too busy taking another bite to respond. We ate in comfortable silence, the crackling fire and rhythmic waves our only company. I couldn't remember the last time I'd tasted something this fresh. It felt like being alive again after a very long sleep.

My eyes drifted to Aether as he ate, watching how his jaw worked, the way his full lips pressed together between bites. The firelight caught his features, dancing across the sharp planes of his face, and I found myself remembering the mines. How close he'd been, his fingers sliding into my hair, his breath warm against my mouth. How for one charged moment, he'd almost kissed me. How I'd almost let him. How I’dwantedit.

Heat rushed to my face and I forced my attention back to my food. What was wrong with me? We had bigger concerns than whatever this thing was between us—this pull I couldn't quite understand or ignore. And yet I couldn't stop my gaze fromfinding him again, couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if those whistles hadn't echoed through the tunnels.

When we finished, I leaned back on my hands, staring into the flames. "Thank you," I said softly. "You're a terrific cook."

"When you live alone in the woods, you learn to make do." He tossed another piece of wood onto the fire. "But I'll take that rare compliment."

"Is that what you prefer? Being alone?"

His golden eyes found mine across the flames. "For a long time, yes."

Something in his tone made my heart skip. "And now?"

"Now..." He seemed to consider his words carefully. "I'm not so sure."

I pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. "It must have been peaceful though. Before all of this."

"It was quiet," he agreed. "But I'm learning there's a difference between peace and emptiness."

The waves crashed below us, filling the silence that followed. I watched as shadows danced beneath his skin, wondering if he was even aware of them anymore.

"Did you ever get lonely?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.

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