Merrick's gaze held mine, intense and unyielding. I should say goodnight and step inside. He had papers to attend to.
I needed to think. Again.
But my feet refused to move. His fingers found their way to my hair, gently stroking, as if he wanted to memorize the feel of each strand. My breath hitched as he glided his knuckles softly across my face, tracing a path down my neck, along the vein pulsing with need. When his fingertips skimmed the top of my dress’s bodice, dragging lightly across the swell of my breasts, a low moan escaped my lips. A need I couldn't understand came through in the sound.
He cupped my face, his thumbs caressing my cheeks as helooked down at me. Time stretched, each second a throbbing eternity as I drowned in his eyes. Anticipation coiled inside me, a relentless, aching knot that begged for release.
Slowly, he backed me against the wall, pressing his strong body against mine. His heartbeat thrummed a furious rhythm that matched my own. His mouth came close to mine. The world narrowed down to us, to this moment, to the space between our lips.
When he finally kissed me, it was a spark igniting a wildfire. His lips were soft yet demanding, coaxing mine to part. A shiver rippled across my skin as his tongue swept in, exploring and tasting. Heat coursed through my veins, a molten desire pooling low in my belly. I clung to him, gripping his shoulders, anchoring myself to him as I was swept away by the force of being close to this man.
His hands slid down to my waist, pulling me closer, molding my body to his. Every hard plane of his chest, every ripple of muscle pressed against me. I arched into him, yearning for more. His kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, taking everything I had to offer while demanding even more.
I tangled my fingers in his hair, tugging him close. His lips left mine, trailing along my jaw and down my neck to the tops of my breasts. He blazed a trail with the tip of his tongue, and the cool rush of air made everything inside me tingle.
His mouth found mine again, his kiss hungry, consuming. He was trying to claim me, to brand me as his own, and I wanted nothing more than to be his. To belong to him completely.
He lifted his head. “From the moment I saw you, Fawn,I wanted you. I hope one day you’ll feel the same.” The cool air whipping through the hall brought me to my senses. He must’ve seen me wake up, because he backed away. “Goodnight, Reyla. I can’t wait until morning, when I can be with you again.” He opened my door behind me and urged me inside. “Lock it and stay safe for me, would you?”
With one final stroke on my cheek, he turned and strode to his own door, stepping inside.
I shut and locked my door and drooped against it, running my fingertip across my mouth, over and over, as if that would erase the feel of his kiss.
Then I started pacing with Farris trotting behind me.
Night fell, and I continued moving, soon transitioning to my bedroom where I dressed in a tunic and pants and threw my knives at the back of the door. Over and over. Hitting the gouges I’d created in the center each time settled me.
When I felt I’d done enough damage and brought some perspective to my mind, though I wasn’t confident the feeling would hold, I went out into the sitting room and poured a glass of wine. I sat with Farris on the sofa and sipped it, staring at nothing. I tried not to think about Merrick’s kisses and how much I still craved him, even now.
What kind of woman willingly leaped into another man’s bed after losing the love of her life?
One like me.
At this rate, sleep would not claim me tonight. My thoughts had become a rat’s nest in my head, a trap trying to lure me close enough to snap.
Farris remained on the sofa, watching me while I grumbled and huffed.
I stroked his cute little head. “Let’s do some exploring.” A glance at the porthole showed the moon hung like a ripe melon in the sky. It must be past midnight. Did I have to worry about running into Lore?
I’d be careful.
Farris yipped and hopped off the sofa, rushing over to grab the leash and bring it to me. I secured it, and he trotted to the door, stopping to look back at me.
I tugged my hair off my face and secured it with a strip of stretchy fabric at my nape.
Stepping out into the hall, I tightened my grip on Farris’s leash. I was more than happy to let him roam free, but I worried one of the crew might take offense if he bothered them. Although, the captain said we’d reach Evergorne tomorrow. Once we’d made it to the castle, my new life would begin. I couldn’t imagine what I’d find there, but I was eager to see all it had to offer. As for the crowning and me becoming queen, I’d deal with whatever that entailed as it presented itself.
Farris trotted beside me down the hall and up the stairs to the top level. We stepped out into a night full of moonlit potential. Shutting the door, I moved to the side and leaned against the wall to take it all in, because the ocean was lovely at night. Unknown, yet familiar in a way I couldn’t describe.
A tapestry of stars gleamed in the inky-black sky that seemed to stretch forever in all directions, the darkness broken by a few floating lanterns. Powered by magic, they’d been posted at regular intervals along the rail of the ship. Salt-encrusted wind whipped the ends of my hair around, tangling it as I inhaled that unique, briny scent I now loved. I’d grown up in the mountains, and it was only recently that I’d come to Lydel and could walk on the shore, collect shells, and take in the wonder of living close to such a vast, glorious body of water.
As the ship skimmed across the waves, it shifted this way and that, and the wooden deck released subtle groans. Ropes creaked, adding another line to the ship’s melody.
Farris sat beside me, peering around, his snout twitching.
Regular puffs of air from the windrams kept the sails billowing, and they flapped, whispering secrets I swore I’d hear if I listened hard enough.
I led the nyxin around the cabin but paused on the other side.
