12. Reyla
12
REYLA
“ T ell me more about how a high lady of Weldsbane Court came to be raised in a fortress,” Merrick said. “I imagine there’s quite a story there.”
I tried to ignore how nice it felt to hold hands with him. Actually, it felt more than nice. Heat seared from his fingers, traveling up my arm. I snuffed it out before it could reach my heart. “It might take time to share how that came to be.”
He flashed me a smile that made tingles flick through my body. “What else do we have but time? Depending on how the sea behaves and the wind, it’ll take us four or five more days of travel to reach the shore of Evergorne.”
“How far from there is it to our home?”
“A short distance. The first king of Evergorne built our home on a hillside with a gorgeous view of the sea.”
“I understand your court is at war with the others. I heard this when I was staying at Lydel Court. ”
His chest expanded, his muscular frame stretching the soft-appearing material of his dark tunic. “We are at war. We have been for as long as my family has held Evergorne Court.”
“What’s the source of the war?”
“Magic.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I don’t either.” His face tightened. “Discovering the why of it could make a difference, but so far, my research hasn’t yielded much results.”
“I could help look into it if you want.”
“That’s sweet of you, and I’m not too proud to take you up on your offer. The library at Evergorne is vast, with books on many levels. I’m slowly making my way through them, and a second set of eyes is welcome.”
“Maybe we’ll discover what happened together.”
“I’d love that.” His fingers tightened on mine before loosening again.
Farris nudged my leg. When Lord Briscalar returned, I’d have him take my pet to my suite where he could lounge in the shade. For now, I patted his head. He sat, panting, looking up at me with complete adoration.
Wind skipped off the water, bringing with it a light mist that felt wonderful on my overheated skin. The sun beat down, and it looked like the day would only get hotter. Oh, for a loose tunic and pants instead of this lovely but snug and heavy dress. Air couldn’t reach my legs, and I was sweltering already. Did sweat coat my face? It soon would, and who wanted to gaze on a sweaty woman?
I didn’t want to appear attractive to Merrick, did I ?
I worried I did. Kinart had been gone for months. At first, I’d wanted to die along with him, but leaving that way would’ve hurt my friends who were grieving as much as me, so I’d held on. I’d done my best to forget the warmth of his hand, his sweet smile, the way he’d tease, and our kisses.
Lord Briscalar arrived on the deck again and with a sweep of his arm, he magically set up a small table with two chairs. A vase with red and silver flowers sat in the center. After looking it over carefully and giving it a nod, he strode over to join us. “Your meal will arrive shortly, Sire. I made specific requests of the cook, and he needed a bit of time.”
“That’s fine,” Merrick said.
“Would you take Farris to my room?” I asked. “He’s hot, and he might like to use the wood chips, have something to eat, then take a nap.”
I fanned my face.
“Of course, my lady.” Lord Briscalar lifted Farris and carried him away, disappearing down the stairs.
“You’re hot,” Merrick said, frowning.
“It’s a warm day.”
He glanced at the table and then at the sea, his frown deepening, taking over his eyes more than anything.
A funnel of water roared up from the ocean, blasting straight at us.
When I yelped, I started to back away, but Merrick’s surprisingly strong arm swept around my lower back, holding me in place.
“No worries, Fawn,” he rasped by my ear. “The water is directed by me. ”
It arched up over us and hovered there. I gaped at it spiraling in a whirlpool, expecting it to plunge down on top of us. That would cool me off, but I suspected getting soaked would bring on Lord Briscalar’s scowl.
When the water stayed where it was, blocking the sun without even a droplet falling on us, I loosened my quaking limbs, feeling silly that I’d pawed at my hip to draw a blade that wasn’t there. Lord Briscalar would not allow me to arm myself before I left my suite, insisting no one but guards wore weapons around the king.
“Better?” Merrick asked, his lips twitching up on the corner. He really was gorgeous, and his sweetness couldn’t be denied.
What would it be like to kiss him?
The feeling of betrayal that shot through me at the thought was softer than I’d expected. I was never going to forget my first love but maybe . . . I sighed, not wanting to think of anything like that. I’d just met Merrick. He seemed like a decent man, and that was better than I could’ve hoped for.
When it came to the “willing” part of our relationship, I’d still lay there and let him please himself. I was willing. I’d agreed to this without a hint of reservation. As for sex . . . Well, that was part of a marriage.
I would not allow my heart to enter this relationship.
“Ah, there’s Lord Briscalar with our meal.” Still holding my hand, Merrick urged me over to the table.
The whirlpool of water remained with us, spreading out to cover the area above the table while Merrick slid my chair back and urged me to sit. I wasn’t used to gentlemanly gestures like this, but I liked it .
“Thank you.”
With a nod, he took the other seat.
Lord Briscalar placed napkins on our laps and lifted the silver domes covering platters with a flourish. “Enjoy.” He hurried to the cabin and took the stairs to the bottom.
“He thinks we’re starving,” Merrick said with a sparkle in his eyes that caught my breath and wouldn’t release it. “I hope you’re hungry.”
Not like I would be if I’d spent the morning training, something I’d done almost every day of my life from the time I could heft a wooden sword back at the fortress. I’d do my best with the pastries, coddled eggs, and strips of crispy rusher, however.
Merrick served me some of everything, loading my plate more than I would’ve myself. I hadn’t been trained in ladylike behavior, but I’d seen how Tempest’s aunt took care with her silverware and how delicately she ate, and I emulated her when I could. I hadn’t grown up fancy, but that didn’t mean I wanted to stick out like a rough and tumble former dragon trainer.
After he’d served himself, Merrick lifted his mug of tea my way. “To us.”
I clinked mine against his. “To us.”
For the first time since I’d agreed to this arrangement, a spark of hope trickled through my heart. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad being married to Merrick.
“You asked about growing up in the fortress,” I said after I’d eaten part of one breekberry tart and lowered the rest onto my plate. “I don’t know how much you’re familiar with what happened in my part of the world.”
“More than you’d expect. We all have spies. ”
I wasn’t surprised.
“Mine kept me informed of how the king was draining power from those you called the Nullens, how he wanted to use that power to control not only his share of the world but beyond. That’s why I agreed to the truce with Lydel and Riftflame Courts. I couldn’t allow his rampage to continue, and I was glad to help where I could.”
“Your forces made the difference. Thank you.” I sipped my tea, placing my cup carefully back on the table.
“Lydel’s High Lady’s thanks were enough, but I appreciate you saying that. I feel well compensated already.”
After all, he did get something from the deal—me.
“I rode in the battle,” I said. “On a dragon.”
“I’m not surprised.” A smile teased across his lips.
“Why?”
“Dragons are . . .” He frowned and for a moment, his gaze went . . . blank, though I had to be mistaken. “Dragons are quite protective.”
“They can be, though they’re just as apt to bite as breathe fire on someone trying to hurt you. But why weren’t you surprised?”
“I knew you were a warrior the moment I brought up the wave to give shelter from the sun. You reached for a blade at your hip that wasn’t there. Lorant told me you tried to poke him with a sword.”
“One I’ll point out he has not yet returned. He deserved to be poked. He was being an ass. I thought adding a hole might let some of his ass-ness escape.”
Merrick’s laughter burst out, and I gaped at him, stunned by how handsome he was.
To think this guy could be mine.
I chastised myself—again—but my mental slaps didn’t appear to be taking. Would it be horrible to find even a tiny bit of happiness with the man I called husband?
My throat closed off, but I swallowed, making my sadness go down. I’d want Kinart to find a new love if I was the one who’d died.
Applying that belief to myself wasn’t easy. It hurt. Way too much. But the hurt was fading. No, not exactly fading but softening. Memories that used to swim in the center had drifted to the edges of my mind. I worried they’d soon slip over the side and disappear from view.
“You’re sad.” His laughter faded. “I’m sorry for whatever I’ve done or said to make you feel that way.”
“I loved someone else, but he’s dead.” My eyes tightened, but tears didn’t rise. Maybe I’d cried them all out and there were no more left to give.
Something creaked nearby, but the entire ship creaked, and I was too focused on my sorrow to pay attention to much else.
“I’m still sorry.” He nodded slowly. “That’s why you were willing.”
An odd way to put it, but sure. “I needed something new to think about.”
“Someone new, too?”
I shrugged, but I pressed for a smile because my sadness was now mirrored on his face, and that was the last thing that should happen when we’d just gotten married.
I lifted my tea toward him. “To hearts finding new paths. ”
“To unions foretold.”
I bumped our cups together and sipped. “My mother hid me from Ivenrail when I was a baby. The parents who adopted me died, and I was raised as an orphan at the fortress with my friends. Tempest too.”
“I’d heard something about that.” His penetrating gaze met mine. “Your lost love lived there also?”
I nodded, not wanting to talk about Kinart. “I didn’t learn who I truly was until recently.” I plucked at the front of my dress. “If you thought you were marrying a lady born to that role, you’re in for a disappointment.”
“I wouldn’t change anything about you, Fawn,” he said almost reverently.
“You called me that before. Why?”
“It suits you. You don’t mind the pet name, do you?”
I shrugged, unable to commit. It made my insides scramble around in a way that was exciting.
“Should I give you a pet name too?” I asked.
“If you wish.” His voice deepened and lowered, and he leaned close. “Take some time to decide what you think best fits.” He leaned back in his chair. “Anything will beat ass, don’t you think?”
My laugh rang out. “I’ll save that for Lord Lorant.”
Shadows flickered through his eyes. “Should I be jealous? Lorant seems to have sparked something inside you, something I want as my own.”
Heat swirled across my bones. This man was dangerous. I’d have to take care .
“I barely met him. He’s an obnoxious, arrogant prick, and much too snide.”
“Don’t hold anything back.”
I could tell by his warm smile that my fury pleased him. I could see where someone might be jealous of Lore. In addition to his negative qualities, and I’d only started on the very long list I was compiling in my head, he had an appealing list. Shorter, but still worth noting.
Electrifying. He was a blaze I suspected no one would ever put out.
Cocky, which in his case was a good thing.
And too sexy.
“You shouldn’t avoid him,” Merrick said softly. “Get to know him. Speak with him. He’s sharp but something soft lurks beneath his cutting exterior. He’s broken, I suppose you could say.”
Another creak echoed around us, but I was too interested in ferreting out why Merrick was urging me to chat with another man to look for the cause. “Since I think he’s an ass, it might be best for me to avoid him.”
“And an arrogant prick. Don’t forget that one.”
I rolled my eyes. “How could I?” I leaned back in my chair, finished with the meal but nowhere near done with this conversation with Merrick. “I’ll talk with him if only to get to know the man who’s protecting my husband.”
He lifted my hand sitting on the table by my plate and brought it up to his mouth to kiss it. The way I blazed inside from his simple touch. The way my heart flipped over from the way he looked up at me while his lips remained on my hand .
And the way he—
Wind gusted our way, and with a snap, the long, sturdy arm extending out from the mast on my left, the one sailors used to move the sail to catch the wind just right, shot toward us.
It slammed through the water awning above us, covering everything.
Merrick leaped.
He latched onto me and flung us onto the wooden decking.