“Peaceful, isn’t it?”
I startle at the unfamiliar voice and my breath gets stuck in my chest as fear rushes me. It takes me a few calming breaths to get my heart rate under control.
“I apologize, Thayla. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
My lips part as I study the god standing next to me, staring out over the waves.
His sun-kissed skin glows from the rays of the fading light, and his dark hair that matches the water has bright tips that remind me of the white-tops from the waves breaking against the cliff.
I peer over my shoulder, only now realizing that Doren, Yemi, and Sevryn are several feet behind me. Standing with them is a gorgeous goddess with curly brown hair that reaches her hips. Her greenery headpiece matches her sheer, flowy gown.
Doren’s double thumbs-up and massive smile cause a chuckle to spill from me before I focus back on the man beside me.
“Alamar, God of the Sea, I presume,” I say as I reach my hand out toward him.
“That would be me.”
He grips my fingers tenderly for a fleeting second.
“I’m not sure what all Doren has explained, but I greatly appreciate you and the Goddess of Nature meeting with me.”
“He’s explained it all, and we both have already signed your parchment.”
I flinch, casting another gaze behind me, then back at him.
“Already? When?”
“You were quite zoned out when I approached. We’ve been here for nearly fifteen minutes now.”
I grimace and give him an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry about that. My mind is a little—”
He waves me off casually.
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me. If something were to happen to Evani…” He glances over his shoulder and his smile grows tender. Then fierce. “Let’s just say there’s enough sea to flood the realm.”
The possibility that he has the power to flood everything and everyone should be petrifying. Instead, my poor bleeding heart locks onto how sweet it is that he’d be willing to do that for her.
Gods. Riven’s rubbing off on me.
My eyes close and I shake my head to get him, them, out of my mind.
“Kick off those dusty boots and take a walk with me, Thayla.”
My attention snaps to him as he takes three steps forward onto the shore and the fucking sea parts for him.
I gawk for a moment longer.
“In there?” I ask.
“Of course.”
“You know I damn near drowned in there, right?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Starza never would’ve let you drown.”
Great. The sea creatures are talking about me.
