11
REYLA
“What was unexpected?” I asked, my voice quavering more than I liked.
My heart stuttered in a rhythm that was both familiar and foreign, as if it had forgotten how to beat but suddenly remembered.
He was gorgeous, though he was fae, so it wasn’t unexpected. The lighter strands in his almost-black hair caught the sunlight, but it was his deep green eyes that captured and held me. I wanted to wrench my gaze away, but as much, I wanted to remain where I was, drowning in the warmth I saw there.
“Everything,” he said.
Heat spread through me in a blaze I couldn’t beat back or control, consuming every bit of my body, even reaching to my fingers and toes. It was both terrifying and exhilarating. Warmth curled through my insides like smoke finding every crevice of me that mattered.
The air felt thick, and I couldn’t suck in a breath, but as he linked our hands together, I didn’t care if I ever breathed again. As long as he kept looking at me as if I was his world and his sole reason for existing, I wouldn’t need anything else.
My pulse galloped in my ears, my heart a furious thing trying to find its way past my ribcage—find its way tohim.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I’d loved and lost, and Kinart had been enough. Yet in this man’s gaze I felt a promise and a lifeline, one I wasn’t sure I dared take.
What would it be like to experience that heady, overwhelming connection again, to know what it was like to be loved and love as deeply in return? Vulnerability and hope snarled through me, and I wasn’t sure how to deal with my turbulent emotions.
Fortunately, they were driven from my mind by Farris, who bolted up the stairs and flung himself between us. My hand was tugged away from Merrick’s and our connection severed.
I was me again. Changed? I couldn’t be certain, but at least I could think and be the Reyla I was before I met Merrick.
“I’m sorry, my king, my lady,” Lord Briscalar groaned, stomping over to join us, the new collar and leash in his hand. “I could swear I shut the door tight, that he couldn’t get out, but he bolted past me.”
“It’s alright.” Merrick shared a mischievous smile with me that nearly caught me again in his snare. It was said the fae could lull a person. Was that what was happening now? But, no,Iwas fae, and none of the legends said the spell worked on each other, only those without power. Although, I was Reyla, nearly as powerless as those living near my old fortress.
“He’s yours, right?” Merrick asked, stooped down to stroke Farris. He held out his hand to Lord Briscalar, who gave him the collar and leash and Merrick carefully secured them, rubbing Farris’s ears after. “What a beautiful guy.”
My nyxin squirmed and whimpered, trying to lick the king’s face, my hand, and even Lord Briscalar’s leg.
“Thank you for those.” I plucked at my skirt. “And the lovely dresses.”
Merrick looked up at me, one corner of his mouth curving up. “Anything, Reyla. I’d give you anything.”
Flustered by his comment, I didn’t know how to respond.
“He was caged in the village,” I blurted out instead. “I rescued him, and he followed me to the ship, swimming behind to catch us.”
“Amazing creature,” Merrick said. “I’m glad you were there for him.”
His comment reassured me more than a pretty collar and dress could ever do.
“Farris is not much work, my king,” Lord Briscalar said. “We’ve arranged for some wood chips for his use for . . . Well, you know. And he’s quite content to eat meat and sautéed vegetables. The cook is excited to try new dishes for Lady Reyla’s pet, and I will say, I’m growing quite fond of him myself.” His hand jerked out to pat the top of Farris’s head.
Merrick straightened. “I’m glad you found a friend.” His warm gaze met mine, and I saw only kindness there.
This man was going to be everything I needed and more.
Such a strange thought.
I dragged my gaze from his and scanned the deck, expectingto find Lore standing nearby with scorn twisting that scar on his face. But he wasn’t. Sleeping? That would be expected from a bodyguard on duty last night. I certainly hadn’t needed his services.
My body flushed at the thought, and I shoved the fluttery feeling away. I didn’t need any service from Lore and the quicker that knowledge sunk in, the better.
“Have you had breakfast?” Merrick asked me.
