Page 22 of The Ocean's Heart
After a while, Vaarin led us onto a path that hugged the side of the cliff into an aperture that wound up toward the night sky.
I stumbled once, and he was quick to grab my arm, the heat from his hand searing me through layers of cloth.
How could a sea fae be so warm? I would have thought them to be cold-blooded creatures, but he’d loaned me his heat earlier today, and I imagined it still coursed through my body. Maybe that was the reason for my inexplicable desire for him.
Or maybe it’s simply been too long since you got laid.
I shut down the inner voice because it was more than that. He’d been affected by me just as I was by him, both in the bed on his ship and here on the island. I’d had my dalliances, but I’d never been drawn to a male like this before. Maybe he had this effect on all females? Maybe it was a sea king thing?
If Bryony had lived, then maybe I would have had a chance to explore this…whatever it was. My cheeks heated at the selfish thought, and my stomach turned.
What was wrong with me? Relegating my sister’s death to weigh up what might or might not have happened between Vaarin and me.
I’d give up everything to have her back.
My eyes welled, and guilt dug claws into my chest.
Vaarin let out a heavy sigh. “You’re tired.”
I wiped at my tears and lied. “Yes. I guess I am.”
“Then you’ll be pleased to know that we are at our destination.”
We took a turn onto a platform that led to a small cave. Vaarin ducked to squeeze inside, and I followed him into the warm, dry space. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, but there was enough moonlight filtering in to make out the general structure.
Vaarin crossed the chamber in quick, sure strides, telling me that his night vision was much better than mine. I trailed after him at a sedate pace, not wanting to trip up.
Something rustled, and I peered harder to make out what he was doing. “Are those baskets?”
“Yes. Supplies.”
“You come here often, then?”
He snorted, not indelicately. “Just the once to pave the way to the ship. Supplies for whoever may come after.” He pulled out blankets and a smaller basket which he handed to me. “There will be dried meat in there. It will sustain you.”
I was used to ship supplies on long voyages, and a little dried meat didn’t bother me. I was accustomed to the leathery texture, and I hungrily unwrapped a piece and took a bite.
His brows went up. “And what do you think of that, Princess?”
Shit. Bryony would probably be sick if she ate this. I settled for making a face that communicated my disgust. “Needs must.”
“They must indeed.”
As he unpacked supplies and made up a bed, his shoulders relaxed.
“Will we make a fire?”
“Best not to alert any more locals of our presence.”
The wind whistled past the cave entrance, and a flurry of ice flakes swirled in.
“Frack,” Vaarin growled. “We must retreat farther into the cave.”
He gathered the bed he’d made and led me deeper into the cave where the ground was covered in soft moss and it smelled of earth and hidden life.
He arranged the blankets, then tugged off his boots.
I stared at them, bone dry leather… “You were in the water.”
