And the way he—
Wind gusted our way, and with a snap, the long, sturdy arm extending out from the mast on my left, the one sailors used to move the sail to catch the wind just right, shot toward us.
It slammed through the water awning above us, covering everything.
Merrick leaped.
He latched onto me and flung us onto the wooden decking.
13
MERRICK
As I carried Reyla below the drive of the long boom and onto the deck, I shot power into my skin, solidifying it. Elemental symbiosis, they called it when I turned water into vapor and played with it like it was a shadow when I was three. I was grateful to have this skill because I could use it to shield my wife from the sun and now keep her from being injured by our fall on the deck.
I rolled and came to a stop with her lying across my chest.
My cock that would probably still rise to the occasion on my deathbed kicked into action, shoving against the front of my pants. I willed it to settle. My bride may have been willing to marry me, but that didn’t mean she was eager to jump into my bed.
She gaped down at me as the boom swung back toward the center of the ship. Sailors cried out and rushed to secure it once more.
His face florid, the captain hurried over to us, wringing his hands. “Are you alright, my king? My queen? I can’t imagine what happened, but I’ll have the head of the sailor who secured that boom.”
I smoothed my skin back to its original form, which made Reyla gape at my exposed chest above the collar of my tunic. Her brow knit, and I knew I’d have some explaining to do soon.
“I’m sure it was an accident,” I said as I sat up, keeping my fawn in my arms. She was anything but timid, but with her slender limbs and the cautious way she looked at the world around her before plunging in, the name fit. I hadn’t yet seen the rebellion she’d hosted against Lorant, but that suited him more than me.
As much as I’d like to sit on the deck with my new bride for the rest of the day, maybe coax a kiss from her luscious mouth, I needed to examine that rope. This wouldn’t be the first time someone had tried to kill me, though I’d relaxed my guard on the ship full of men who’d sworn blood oaths to protect my life with their own. When my mother had demanded it, I’d huffed, but she wouldn’t let me go out on the ship until it had been done.
I brushed the last of the hardening power from my skin, feeling it ripple back into something softer and more vulnerable. Reyla’s eyes, still wide with concern and a touch of fear, remained fixed on me. If she wasn’t already questioning everything about this union, she soon would. What I could do with nature wasn’t unknown in my court, but no one had seen the true depths of what I could manipulate. It was always better to keep certain things to oneself until the right time.
The boom swayed above us, still loose as the sailors secured the lines with frantic hands, and I knew I had to send her away from this chaos. More importantly, away from what this might mean.
Was this a simple accident or an attempt on my life or hers?
With our marriage, we’d set the course and there were many who’d delight in making sure we didn’t finish the journey alive.
I thrust power into the wind and directed it to lift us and place us on our feet, keeping my arms around Reyla. I couldn’t let go. Didn’t want to let go. Already, she meant so much to me and not only for her potential.
“Lord Briscalar.” My voice stretched across the deck, cutting through the grunts and shouted commands. The lord appeared almost instantly at my side, his face pale, his hands twitching at his throat.
“My king?” he asked, giving me a deep bow.
“Take my queen to her suite. Ensure she stays there.” I bit off the words, keeping my gaze steady on his to ensure he understood.
Reyla shrugged away and turned to face me. “I’m not ready to go to my suite.” Her face flushed from more than the sun, and flames licked through her gorgeous brown eyes. “What happened? We need to find out.”
Ah, there was the rebellious nature Lorant had mentioned. While it thrilled me to see it focused on me instead of him, I could not accept her refusal in this.
“Go with Lord Briscalar.” My tone softened, though only afraction. “Please.” I wouldn’t have added the last word with anyone but this much-too intriguing woman.
Her eyes flashed, the blaze roaring through her. “What if I say no?”
I was tempted to take on her fury and try to tame it. Never beat it back. She was worthy of much more. But in this instance, she must obey me.
“Please do not.” I possessed flames of my own, and she must see them in the sharpness of my face, in the darkening of my eyes.
She hesitated, her every muscle as taut as a bowstring ready to snap, but finally, after what felt like eternity, she gave me a sharp nod. “Fine,” she muttered, her irritation clear.
