Page 52 of Shadow and Smite

He nodded. “Get some rest now. I’ll treat it later this evening.”

I considered protesting, to ask for another dose of ashflower, but my eyelids grew heavy. He was right; I needed rest.

Zayne tucked the blanket around me, awkwardly respecting our boundaries as he reached around the pillow wall. A divider that… I didn’t quite understand anymore. Who were we to each other now?

The question pushed me to the edge of exhaustion. Zayne seemed just as unsure. Nodding to himself and whispering, “Just rest,” he left the cabin.

My mouth parted. I almost asked,Will you stay?

He might say no. Or maybe my sense of security with him resulted from my imagination.

Ninti jumped onto the bed. She settled in the nook of my chest, becoming the right size to fit. Even if her fire didn’t burn, she warmed me.

I scratched her head. The flames of her ears tickled my hands, pleasant and welcoming. Within the whirlwind, she became a constant.

“Thank you,” I whispered, “for choosing me.”

She shimmied against me, her little flames growing brighter. “To think, I believeIshould be the one thankingyou.For so long, there had been nobody I wanted for my companion. Now I can see how the Isles have changed.”

My mind still reeled, and I contemplated my ruby ring. “I can’t… I don’t deserve you.”

She snuggled deeper into my side. “Nobody can deserve me. But I still choose you.”

I petted her from ear to tail, and with each stroke across her fur, I grew a little bit sleepier, a little more confident.

Ninti was right. I couldn’t deserve either my misfortunes or my luck—I could only own my power. A power I now suspected was much,muchlarger than I ever wanted.AssumingI could safely unleash it.

22 | Delicious Dates

Ayla

It was dark when I next stirred. The sailing was smooth and the sea air fresh. We moved with purpose, onward and into danger. If I put my uncertainty aside, it could be a wonderful night.

Ninti rolled over, moving closer to the wall. Like a heating stone, she kept the entire cabin warm. It had been cozy to cuddle her, but now the bed was too warm.

My brain whirred at full speed; my body felt normal. However long I had slept—had I skipped dinner?—I was eager to face the world again.

To face Zayne again.

Zayne…

He wasn’t in the cabin, and the boat wasn’t that large.

With a hesitant breath, I shifted my tunic, checking the Brand. To my relief—and surprise—it remained small, like it hadn’t grown at all.

Grabbing my cloak from the wardrobe, I stepped onto the deck. The crow’s nest glowed blue as Vanessa’s magic swirled and swayed, mimicking the rhythm of waves and sea. The two moons hid from sight, and under starlight, we sailed forward.

Zayne sat at the makeshift table, a fae light casting shadows upon his face. His gaze was distant, lost to the horizon. He drew his lips into a tight line, adding to his somber expression.

My heart skipped as I studied him. The light struck the firm line of his jaw. My fingers burned, remembering the feel of the muscles under his shirt…

“Can I join you?” I asked.

He startled. It took a full moment before he realized I was there. He stared at me, blinking, as if clearing dark thoughts from his mind.

Eventually, he indicated the other crate. “Sure,” he said. “Join me.”

I sat. “Something on your mind?”

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