Page 64 of Of Magic and Rum
It takes only seconds before her legs morph into a tail, the teal fins at the tip of it brushing the backs of my thighs. Blue scales appear over nearly every inch of her body, her hair darkens to a sapphire color, and her ears shift to webbing. She’s motionless for far too long for comfort, and I find myself holding my breath. Her eyes burst open, the nymph glacial blue replacing her emerald gaze, and she gasps.
I stare at her with acute stillness because this is the first time I see her like this—the sea nymph. Both sides are equally beautiful, and I’m thanking whatever higher power is willing totake the credit that today wasn’t the last day I’d witness both parts of her.
Her head lifts from the water, lips lightly sputtering, her gaze fixed on me. She presses a hand to my cheek, the webbing between each finger somehow softer than the rest of her, which already feels like liquid silk against my skin. Her eyes roam my face as if searching for signs that what I see displeases me somehow. It’s not possible. She’s perfection.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice more vital and more like herself.
The words take me aback. “For rescuing you? Don’t you dare thank me for that. I told you we’re partners. And you’re a part of this crew, this family, and—” a shiver catapults through me from the frigid waters settling into my bones “—you mean a great deal tome.”
Anne frowns at my body trembling from the cold, her ears drooping toward her chin. She slips a hand in mine and coaxes me to the shore. “Let’s get out of the water.”
“Are you feeling better?” It’s my turn to frown because I’ll not forgive myself if she’s not fully healing herself because my body betrayed me and decided toshiverat the most inconvenient moment.
She tugs me, easing me through the water and toward the wet sand. “Much better.”
Flopping my ass to the ground, I rub my arms, working heat back into them. Anne still dons her tail and sits behind me before wrapping the tail around my lap. It’s surprisingly warm, given my experience with the usual fish scales, but she’s not a fish.
Her arms envelop me next, chin resting on my shoulder. “Is that better?”
“Much better,” I mimic her words.
The moonlight gives her scales a celestial glow, and the tip of her tail lazily sways, making arched patterns in the sand. “You could’ve frozen, Jack.”
The chills have passed, and I allow myself to sink against her. “You would’ve never let that happen.”
“You’re right.” I feel her lips smiling against my cheek.
I trail a finger over her tail where a human knee would be, making the scales glow brighter. “Was what Nøkk said true?”
“Is what true?” She tilts her head.
“That you’re his—” I pause, finding it difficult to say out loud, and add another finger to her tail “—mate?”
Anne’s arms tighten around my ribs. “No. I’m not.”
Shifting so we can look at each other, I drag a hand through my wet locks. “Are you sure? I don’t understand how this works, but how would you know otherwise? I’d like to know if I’m stealing another man’s destined betrothed.”
A half smile tugs at Anne’s lips, and she lightly tugs my beard, the pointed translucent fingernail scraping my chin. “It’s hard to explain how I know, but trust me, Jack. He’snotmy mate.”
Blowing out an exaggerated sigh, I hang my head. “Damn.”
This makes her laugh, vibrant and lively. “Excuse me?” She playfully jabs me.
“It would’ve been far more my niche if I were to have stolen you away. You would’ve been the most valuable haul in my pirating career.” I lift my eyes to hers in time to see them widening and softening, slowly materializing to Anne’s emerald gaze.
“What if—if you and I—” she’s turning into Anne bit by bit, the red hair swirling her face and neck, scales melting away “—were mates?”
Contemplating this, I let my face fall. “Well, that’d be no fun. I can’t rightly steal you for myselffrommyself.”
“Jack,” she shrieks, tackling me with the human legs that have returned, and I’m painfully aware she’s now naked from the waist down.
I’m sitting with Anne in my lap, knees straddling me. I trace a thumb across her cheekbone and grin at how she nuzzles my hand. “I’m not sure what I would’ve done if Nøkk took you away from me. Probably scoured the Earth looking for you and taking out my rage on poor bastard merchants.”
“You don’t have to wonder.” Anne presses her forehead to mine, and we close our eyes, listening to each other breathe. “I’m right here. Withyou.”
Sitting back, I take her face in my hands, waiting for her to look at me. “Are you alright? The son of a bitch denied you water for days. I still wish I could’ve harpooned him to Davy Jones’ Locker. Still do.”
“I’m fine, my Captain,” she reassures me, pressing a chaste kiss to my lips. “I’ve been through worse.”
