Page 17 of Nora's Kraken

And, as I watch, Nora reaches out to touch the cheeky little addition Cas saw fit to include below the ship.

A mass of wooden tentacles, a kraken come up from the deep to stalk the world above.

I clear my throat, a shot of discomfort moving through me. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Nora quickly draws her hand away and turns to face me, and we stare at each other for a few long moments. It’s the first time I’ve seen her so still—not backing away from me, not fleeing—and I take full advantage of the opportunity to drink her in.

“Sorry,” she says finally. “I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”

“Don’t apologize. You just saved me from a very, very irritating meeting.”

“Did I?”

Am I imagining the ghost of a smile on her lips?

“Yes. Absolute waste of my time. I’d much rather have the chance to speak with you.”

She nods, still not quite convinced. “About that… I… I wanted to see you and… apologize, I guess. Or just talk to you. You know, without losing it and trying to run away.”

Despite her words, Nora looks like she still might want to run away. Her posture is stiff, expression guarded, and I wrack my brain trying to come up with any way I could make her more comfortable.

“What made you decide to come?” I ask gently.

The corners of her lips quirk up a bit more, and relief is an almost-palpable thing in my chest.

“Two of my friends made me realize I might have acted a little… hastily when we first met.”

I chuckle. “I’ll make sure to thank them if we ever meet.”

“You can also thank Mr. Blair.”

“Is that so?”

Blair talked to her? I make a mental note to pay him a visit so we can discuss the exact definition of what he meant by keeping me informed on their conversations.

“Yeah,” Nora says with a shrug. “Just a few minutes ago, actually.”

As if on cue, the cell in my pocket buzzes. When I pull it out and glance down, Blair’s name is on the caller ID.

“Speak of the dragon,” I mutter, silencing the call. “And what did the two of you discuss?”

Another shrug. “State secrets. Kraken mating habits. Tea.”

“That’s all?”

“Among other things.”

Nora’s still smiling, now with a bit of mischief in her, and I can’t stop staring. She seems… relaxed, at ease, so much different from the last two times we’ve interacted that it’s almost like looking at a different person.

In the sunlight streaming in from the wall of windows, her hazel eyes are shining. Her hair is in a high, bouncy ponytail today, and she’s wearing a cozy tan sweater over light wash jeans. The makeup she has on compliments the fullness of her cheeks and the warmth of her eyes.

She’s lovely. Even more so for her smile.

“What?” she asks, and it’s clear she’s caught me staring. “Do I have something on my face?”

I shake my head. “Forgive me. Would you like to sit down?”

We cross to two chairs set in front of the windows, one of my favorite places to sit and think and enjoy the view of Seattle. Today, the sunny weather gives a clear view all the way to the Sound and the islands in the distance.

---