“You don't have to pretend this isn't hard. You do not have to be brave. Not with me,” he whispers into my hair, and I let the tears fall, releasing all the fear and anger I've been clinging to for too long.
Raiden
Iwant to hold onto her forever. I thought I'd lost her. She fell over the edge of the boat, and I was certain the Huri had devoured her before I even hit the water.
I breathe in her flowery scent that's currently mixed with dried saltwater and blood, and it hits me that I cannot live without knowing she's safe. I had felt it before, but I think the Smog had dulled the strength of our mate-bond. Now that the barrier is gone, I am overwhelmed with my need for everything that is her.
A plan hadn't exactly spelled itself out to me yet. But now? This intense draw I have to her is too strong to ignore. I've never felt anything like it, never allowed myself to get close to another. Not since I sold myself to Clestraya for the good of my kingdom.
My kingdom. For the first time ever, it feels like I might have a shot at getting my kingdom back.
We're lying in the bottom of the boat, staring up at the stars together, having spent the day talking and drying her off in the warmth of the sun.
“There are so many of them,” she whispers.
I point to the different clusters of stars, telling her their names.
“Which one is your favorite?” she asks, blinking up at me with those cool, green eyes that have softened significantly over the hours we've spent together on this boat today.
“That one,” I say, swinging my arm out just over the horizon to where Ophiuchus lies in the stars. “It's the Serpent Bearer. They say the lord of the gods struck him down with lightning because he was a healer. He was able to raise the dead back to life, and the fates don't appreciate that kind of power. They allow him to rest in the sky as an honor to his origins.”
“I wonder if he's looking down in disgust at all the death he could have prevented or undone,” she says, and I hum my acknowledgement.
She draws different lines and shapes on my stomach while we talk. I'm not sure she knows she's doing it, but I don't want her to stop.
“Thank you for saving me,” she says, and I swear I could live in this moment forever.
“Don't thank me yet.”
She sits up, looking down at me and worrying her lip. “What do you mean?”
I debate telling her everything here and now, wrought with the ache of carrying so many secrets for so long, and wanting her to know it all.
But the desire for just a few more moments of delusion wins.
“I just mean that we haven't made it to land yet, and I still haven't decided what I'll do with you when we get there.” I makean attempt to wag my eyebrows at her, hoping she doesn't read too far into the jest.
She swats at me playfully, and I grab her wrist. I can't fight the urge to bring her hand to my mouth and press a soft kiss to her silky skin.
Arina pulls back as if I've burned her when the familiar spark of our bond shoots through me.
“I'm sorry,” I stutter, moving to give her space, suddenly worried I've crossed a line.
“No, it's fine, I just … Did you feel that?” she asks.
“Feel what?” I want her to say it.
“Nothing, never mind. Maybe it was just in my head.” She waves her hand as if swatting at a bug.
Interesting. Maybe my little snake is becoming more in tune with her magic than she's letting on.
Arina
I could have sworn a spark of something had traveled from Raiden's mouth to my entire body when he kissed my hand last evening.
My cheeks grow warm at the thought. I've never allowed attention from any man to make me feel the way Raiden does whenever he so much as looks my way. I've also never craved a man's touch the way I am right now.
This cocky, rude, infuriating male who made me a murderer and stole me from my home is starting to consume me in ways I don't understand.
