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She didn’t bother to respond. Instead, she stopped in place as the others continued, bent down to retrieve a shell that wasn’t there, then straightened.

Unfortunately, her plan backfired as Trevik stopped to wait for her and the others continued. Swiftly, she caught up to them, feigning infinite interest in Poppy’s words until they reached the large sea stack toward the south of the beach—the same place Morvoren had observed Trevik emerging from the water like some sea god.

She closed her eyes to be rid of the image and the words. He was hardly a sea god, that fisherman.

When they reached the other side of the sea stack where the rocks were lower and piled out into the sea, the four of them climbed up the higher rock, Trevik helping his mother up the slippery sections as Morvoren and Poppy observed a few empty tidepools.

When Poppy straightened, she gasped, propping her hands on her hips. “Would ye just look at that sunset? Simply breathtakin’. We ought to take a moment to admire it.”

She went to where the rock jutted forth, hanging her skirts over the edge just out of reach from the waves that occasionally lapped up. Morvoren followed suit, and soon enough, Trevik and Mrs. Honeysett joined them, sitting on Poppy’s other side.

Poppy hadn’t been exaggerating—the sunset truly was something special that evening. The sky was lit with a creamy orange and soft pink that splashed across otherwise white clouds, causing the beach to feel warmer, despite the cold wind rushing in from the waves.

The sea took on a darker hue of pink closer to the horizon, but nearer to the shore, the gentle waves shone a soft blue. Every wave that broke upon the sand or tagged the rock they sat upon whispered up to Morvoren.

Are ye really willin’ to give up all o’ this? it asked.

And time and time again, she had no response.

“‘Tis breathtakin’,” Mrs. Honeysett murmured as silence fell upon their little group.

Even Poppy was quiet as she nodded in agreement.

Of course, her silence only lasted a moment. “Spendin’ time out ’ere,” she said, “it be the best. ’Specially with family.”

There was that word again. Family. Poppy was beginning to make the same mistake as Morvoren.

“’Course, Trev doesn’t understand that,” Poppy said, leaning forward with a teasing smile at her brother. “’E be too busy to spend time with ’is own family.”

“What ye be talkin’ ’bout?” he questioned. “I be ’ere now, ain’t I?”

Poppy huffed. “For the first time in months.”

“That ain’t true.”

“Ye know it is. Just like we know the only reason ye be out ’ere now is ’cause Morvoren be with us.”

The blood drained from Morvoren’s cheeks before returning in droves. What the devil was Poppy thinking, saying such a thing? Trevik didn’t say a word in response, and Morvoren could have sworn she’d seen Mrs. Honeysett hiding a smile before Poppy continued, apparently unaware of the discomfort she’d caused upon the others.

“Well,” Poppy said, standing up, “that be enough rest for I. I need to find just a few more shells ’fore the sun disappears altogether.”

“I’ll join ye,” Mrs. Honeysett mumbled. “’Elp your mother, Poppy.”

Poppy helped her stand, as well, then took her arm as the two walked side-by-side across the rocks.

Morvoren moved to stand, desperate to not be left alone with Trevik, but when she saw him leave the rocks, too, she paused.

She needed a moment to recoup from Poppy’s words. Her face still burned like she’d sat near a fire for too long, though the wind had become considerably colder with the sun sinking closer to the horizon.

Bringing her legs up to her chest, she ensured her skirts covered her, then she wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her chin against her knees.

“Are ye cold now?”

She started, whirling around to where Trevik stood on the lower ledge of the rock she still sat upon. She’d not known he’d stayed behind. Mrs. Honeysett and Poppy had continued on, now scouring the sand near the lapping water. Should she join them, make another escape?

“No,” she replied, making to stand, but he held his hand up.

“I’ll leave so ye don’t ’ave to.” He took a step back from her. “I just needed a moment away from Poppy’s chatterin’.”