Page 17 of Black Sea

“What is your name?” I asked.

The man sat up and looked at the finger I was sliding across the dagger still in my hand, then at my hair, which was nearly dry and frizzy from the sea salt. His lips, slightly cracked, curled into a smile, as if he were pleased that I had lost my elven composure.

He took a deep breath, slightly raised his chin with pride, and answered, “Amlach.”

A name that had become quite common among humans over the past three centuries, as they named their children to honor the current King Amlach III and his predecessors.

“I’m Nauriel,” I said.

His brows wryly quirked upward. “Yes, I heard you loud and clear during your little speech as the future queen.”

I glared at him, and he grinned. I looked toward the horizon on my right, hoping the storm had brought us closer to the continent, but I didn’t see a single patch of land.

However, I was relieved to realize that one thing was certain: We were within the borders of the Lands of the East, for I still sensed the supernatural abilities of my race and our magic flowing through me.

“Listen, Amlach,” I said, annoyed by the intoxicating taste of his name on my tongue. “I will help you return to your people. But we can’t stay here waiting for my brother to find us. You need water and food.”

He looked at me with curiosity. “You don’t?”

“I can survive much longer than you without both,” I replied, a bit too harshly.

Amlach clenched his jaw and tossed me a sharp look. “Then what do you suggest, Elf?”

I regarded him right back. “There is an archipelago to the north. Once night falls, we will row towards it guided by the stars.”

“Or we could use them to head east,” he suggested, as if it were the more obvious choice. “Where our land is.”

“We are way far from the continent. We’re more likely to encounter the islands sooner.”

“And what if we have ended up way far south?” he bit back.

“We have not,” I snapped, ending the conversation as I sheathed my dagger. I ignored his scornful noise and glanced at the tree roots behind me. None of those sprouting from the sea seemed suitable. So, I turned back to the man. “Drink what’s left of our water, then take your dagger and follow me.”

I didn’t give him time to ask questions and immediately dove into the sea. While underwater, I examined the roots first and then the branches that the strong currents hadn’t broken. When I heard Amlach’s thud in the water, I swam over to him and surfaced.

“I found only one root that’s straight enough to use as an oar,” I said.

“I believe there’s a branch on the other side that might do the trick.”

I nodded. “Show me.”

We took a deep breath, passed under the tree trunk, and came out on the other side. Amlach pointed to a strong branch positioned quite high above the water. He should climb up to saw it off.

“What do you think?”

“Yes, it will do.” I glanced sideways at him. “You think you can handle this yourself?”

He gave me a subtle look. “Does the elf believe the human isn’t strong enough even to cut off a branch?”

I scowled at him. “It’s just that it’s not in an easy position. And you’re huge.”

His lips curled into a lazy, mischievous smile. “Am I?”

A second later, I realized the obscene double meaning in my words. I blushed all the way to my pointy ears and started swimming away.

“Hey.” Amlach caught me around the middle to stop me and pulled me slightly toward him. He stared at me, suddenly serious. “Thank you.”

For a moment, I was lost in the pine forests that his irises seemed to hold within them. Then my gaze hardened. “You need to stop touching me like that.”