Leaning on the deck railing of theMekaisa, Kai took in the scene before her. The fading sunlight caught the crest of the waves, momentarily blinding her as its brilliant beam of light glittered across the water. The gentle crash against the hull could rock her to sleep. She breathed in the salt and brine and fresh air and sunshine. The sea was the blood in her veins, the breath in her lungs.
Something twinged painfully in the back of her mind. Would she still feel this connection, this calling, when she was human?
Losing that part of herself would be like carving out half of her soul. But ever since Bri had read the passage about the dagger being able to make them mortal, the hope she’d let dwindle and die so long ago came roaring back to life. The idea of being human, even with its flaws and certain mortality, had been her one constant, burning desire for millennia—besides her life with Aidan.
Before she could dive any deeper down that vein of thought, a warm pair of hands circled her waist and familiar lips slid up her neck. She smiled and closed her eyes, nestling into Aidan’s touch and the scent of smoke and honey.
“And how is my lovely wife doing this evening?” he purred against her skin, intertwining his fingers with her own.
She laughed, the sound dancing across the water as butterflies filled her stomach. Who would’ve thought after thousands and thousands of years, he could still give herbutterflies? “Such a flirt,” she teased, angling her neck as his lips traveled down.
“Only with you, sweetheart.” He lifted their fingers and kissed her hand, his head resting on her shoulder as they looked out into the sunset.
Leaning contentedly back against him, she said, “If I could stop time, I’d freeze us in this moment.”
“There will be other moments like this,” he murmured into her ear, his short beard tickling the sensitive skin at her jaw. His thumb tenderly rubbed circles over her knuckles.
Kai stayed silent, wishing her mind would turn off so she could enjoy this time with the man she loved. Yet his words only made her gut tighten. How many more moments would theytrulyhave if she became human?
They’d had brief conversations alluding to this over the past days. He knew where she stood, where her desires lay: she wanted a human life. To grow old with someone, bear children, have a family, and one day die happy and fulfilled. If given the chance, she would give her powers over to the dagger—for good.
Kai had also made it clear that a human life was nothing without him at her side. But she would never want to force him into a future he didn’t want. It had to be his choice, made on his own terms because it was whathedesired—not just because it would make her happy.
As the sun made its way closer to the horizon, the waves turning pink and gold where its beams met the ocean, the crew of theMekaisashuffled around the main deck behind them. Kai turned her head to find a handful of men setting up crates and empty barrels in a circle, worn instruments and cups of ale in their hands.
“I wonder what they’re doing,” she mused.
Within moments, she had her answer. The men seated themselves around August and Damien, and the two began playing a lively, upbeat tune on a pair of fiddles as the men stomped their feet and clapped along. A bubble of laughter escaped Kai’s throat.
“My lady.” Aidan knelt before her and offered his hand, which she took with a smile. He led her around the main deck, her hands in his as they jumped and circled the entourage to the rhythm of the music like a couple of children. Kai threw her head back and laughed as Aidan picked her up at the waist and twirled her in the air.
Her chest swelled when her friends began to join the fun. Isla dragged Bri excitedly across the wooden floor, the latter shooting Damien flirtatious smiles as she danced. Rynn sat on a barrel with a book in his hand, eyeing the instruments but making no move to leave. Even Jade rested against a post and tapped her foot with the beat.
The song ended, and every face bore a grin as they hollered and stamped their approval. Kai’s cheeks hurt from smiling, happy to see her companions rid of the anxiety and tension that had been creeping up on them, even if only for a minute.
The music began again, a slow, melodic harmony that had her swaying with the breeze. Aidan put his hands back on her waist while she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned against his chest.
“I love you,” she said with a sigh, pressing her nose to his shirt and breathing him in. Sweet honey and delicious smoke. Late nights around a campfire. Early mornings wrapped in strong arms.
“I love you more.” He kissed her on the forehead as they moved. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” he said slowly.
Kai chuckled, her cheeks brushing against his soft tunic. “That’s never a good thing.”
Aidan dug his thumb into her skin right above her hip bone, heronlyticklish spot, making her squeal and squirm away. He reeled her back into his arms with a smile and said, “We haven’t talked much about what’ll happen after all of this.”
Her laughter died. She tried to put space between them so she could see his face, to see what his blazing eyes were saying, but he held her to his chest, rocking back and forth while sliding a hand up and down her spine. “Just let me hold you, Kai. I need to feel you.”
Aidan took a deep breath. “I’m a selfish man. I never said I wasn’t. I’ve often taken from others and justified my actions by saying they deserved it, as if I had some sort of control over the punishment for their crimes.” She could feel him shaking his head. “When I look back, it’s like almost every move I made was for the sake of myself and my power, or for you. I don’t regret that last one for a single second, but it doesn’t mean that I’m agoodman. No matter what you may say.
“Ever since we found out the dagger could make us human, I’ve been thinking more and more about what that would be like.” Kai sucked in a breath and held it. “At first, I dismissed it entirely. How could I give up my fire? My passion and power, everything that makes me feel alive? You know as well as I do how our elements—they speak to us. They’ve made us who we are. It would be like…tearing out a piece of my soul.”
Kai closed her eyes against his shirt, her heart dropping. She understood exactly what he meant, and she feared where this was heading.
“But I’m an idiot, Kai. Truly, the most ridiculous man.” His chest rumbled with a chuckle. “My fire isn’t what does any of those things. If I’m being honest, it’s probably one of my greatest weaknesses. It’s made me dependent and out of control, like a constant urge that wants totake.” Aidan pulled back slightly and brought his fingers to her chin, gently tilting her head to meet his dark eyes. “You make me want togive.Youare my passion, my power, what makes me feel alive.You’remy fire, and that can’t ever be taken away from me. So if you want to become mortal and live out your life as a human, I’ll come with you.”
Kai wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. A heavy beating resounded in her ears. She blinked up at him, a tear catching in her eyelashes. “What did you just say?” she breathed.
Aidan smiled down at her. “I want to live a human life with you. If that’s what you still want at the end of this, I’ll do it. Sweetheart, I would follow you to the edge of the world and beyond, until we are the only two stars in the sky.”
