I watch Levi chat with Rav, his eyes crinkling with laughter at some shared joke. He catches me looking and flashes a smile that makes my heart skip a beat. For a moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like to stay here, to become a part of this community, and to explore whatever this thing is between Levi and me. Because I don’t think I’m the only one feeling an attraction.
But then reality intrudes. This is only a brief interlude – a working vacation before returning to my life in Santa Fe, wheremy career and apartment await me. This magical evening is just that – magical but temporary.
Still, as I gaze out at the moonlit waves, listening to the murmur of conversation and the crackle of the fire, I can’t help but feel that something has shifted within me. Whatever happens, I know that Lublin Harbor and its people have left an indelible mark on my heart.
The party begins to wind down as the night grows late. Families with young children say their goodbyes, followed by the older folks. Soon, only a small group remains around the dying embers of the bonfire.
Levi leans in close, his voice low. “Ready to head back? I can walk you to your houseboat if you’d like.”
I nod, suddenly aware of how tired I am after our long day. We say our goodbyes, thanking Conall for the fantastic food and Lily for her conversation and hospitality.
As we walk along the moonlit beach towards the marina, I find myself wishing the night didn’t have to end. But even as that thought crosses my mind, I stifle a yawn.
Levi chuckles. “Looks like someone’s ready for bed.”
I smile sheepishly. “I guess a day of fishing and feasting takes it out of you.”
We reach my houseboat all too soon. I turn to Levi, suddenly unsure of what to say. “Thank you for today,” I finally manage. “For everything.”
He smiles, and my heart stutters as he sways almost imperceptibly forward. The space between us feels electric. His eyes drop to my lips for the briefest moment – so quick I might have imagined it – and my thoughts scatter like startled birds, my fingers curling helplessly at my sides. But then he takes a small step back, breaking whatever spell had begun to weave around us, and the cool evening air rushes into the space he leaves behind.
“It was my pleasure, Rose. Sleep well.” His voice is soft, a touch lower than usual, and something in his tone makes my skin prickle with awareness.
I watch him walk away, tracking the strong line of his shoulders until he disappears into the shadows between the houseboats. My chest feels tight, and I feel a peculiar mix of disappointment and relief like a rubber band stretched and suddenly released.
As I get ready for bed, my mind replays moments from the day – the thrill of catching the fish, the warmth of the bonfire, the stories and laughter shared with new friends. But now, each memory seems to circle back to Levi: the proud grin he gave me when I reeled in my catch, how the firelight played across his features as he listened intently to everyone’s stories, the way his shoulder occasionally brushed mine as we sat together, each casual touch sending sparks through my entire body.
CHAPTER 9
Levi
Ijolt awake with my heart pounding. For a terrifying moment, I can’t tell where I am – the line between nightmare and reality blurs, and I’m still half-caught in the tendrils of my dream. My breath comes in ragged gasps, and I can taste the phantom salt of the ocean on my tongue. My limbs are tangled in sheets that feel like seaweed, dragging me down into the abyss.
As my eyes adjust to the darkness, the familiar outlines of my bedroom slowly materialize. The sky is inky black through my window, with just the faintest smudges of pre-dawn light teasing the horizon. My hammering heart starts to slow as the final wisps of panic from my dream disperse.
The dream is murky now, but I know I was locked in a battle with Malachar. Princess Kaia’s mocking laughter echoed around us, her taunts cutting deeper than any physical wound. The details are already fading, but the sense of betrayal and wounded pride lingers, settling in my chest like a cold, heavy stone.
I lie there for a while, trying to shake off the unsettling images, but it’s futile. Getting back to sleep feels impossible. With a sigh, I decide to start my day early. Sitting up and tossing off my blanket, I push away the remnants of my nightmare and stretch my arms overhead.
My next thought, unbidden but not unwelcome, is of Rose. A smile tugs at my lips as I remember her mentioning her plans to explore the town today. It’s her day off from scheduled activities, and part of me wishes I could join her and show her my favorite spots in Lublin Harbor. However, I have responsibilities that demand my attention. I shake my head, trying to dislodge her image from my mind. It’s a pleasant distraction from the nightmare but dangerous in its own way.
Unable to resist the ocean’s call any longer, I rise from my bed. The floorboards creak softly beneath my bare feet as I head to the deck. When I step through the back door of my houseboat, I pause with my hand still on the doorknob, listening. The marina is quiet, save for the gentle lapping of waves against the hulls of sleeping boats and the occasional cry of a night bird.
Confirming that all is silent, I step out, naked, onto the deck. The cool pre-dawn air raises goosebumps on my skin as I scan the surrounding boats and docks. No lights, no movement.
I move silently toward the stern, every creak of the deck making me pause and listen. The water below is dark and inviting, promising secrecy and freedom. After one final scan of the sleeping marina, I draw in a deep breath and slip beneath the surface, leaving only ripples behind.
The ocean’s cool embrace is a relief, washing away the last clinging cobwebs of my nightmare. As the sea welcomes me home, I let my human form melt away.
Eight tentacles unfurl, stretching out into the calm ocean. This is who I am, what I am. I have a responsibility to this place and to the creatures that call these waters home.
As I glide through the water, the underwater world of the Atlantic off the Maine coast unfolds before me in all its rugged beauty. The seafloor here is a patchwork of rocky outcroppings and sandy stretches, each habitat teeming with its own unique community of marine life.
Despite the familiar beauty surrounding me, I find myself reflecting on the undercurrent of discontent and disillusionment that’s been plaguing me for months – years, really. Even though everyone in Lublin Harbor has always been welcoming, I’ve felt out of place, caught between two worlds and not fully belonging to either. It’s a feeling that’s been gnawing at me, making me question my place here and my purpose.
But today, as I patrol these waters, I feel a spark of something different. The memory of the clam bake and how easily the townspeople welcomed Rose and me keep replaying in my head. For the first time, I realize that perhaps I’ve been holding myself apart for no good reason. The sense of isolation I’ve felt… could it have been self-imposed all along?
Shaking away these thoughts, I refocus on my surroundings.
