35. Princess Esemeray
PRINCESS ESEMERAY
They had been hiking through the woods for the last thirty minutes, and her feet were burning. The shoes Riggs had made for her were not doing its job. At this point—she’d rather be barefoot.
“What is it that you want to show me?” Esemeray asked breathlessly, keeping pace with him, weaving through branches, careful not to trip over exposed tree roots.
Riggs stopped, as if noticing the discomfort in her voice. He turned to face her. “What’s bothering you?” he asked, his brows drawing together.
She frowned, motioning to the wooden blocks and string around her feet. “The shoes don’t do well with climbing.”
“I’ll carry you,” Riggs assured, extending his arms.
She shook her head, placing her hand on his chest. “It’s quite alright.” Esemeray blushed, embarrassment settling deep in her belly. She wiped the sweat from her forehead. No way would she allow him to carry her in this condition. She was more drenched than he was.
“There is no problem, princess.” Riggs rubbed her shoulders in a reassuring stroke. “I want you to be comfortable.”
Her heart fluttered.
“I am, I just didn’t think I’d be in my human form so much.” Glad she could be herself—but not glad for the uneven ground. “How much longer?”
Riggs pointed toward another path. “I promise, it’s just around this corner.”
He had said that the last ten times?—
They turned, and her mouth dropped at the sight. “Is that a…”
“Waterfall?” Riggs' voice strained as he tugged off his boots. “Yeah.” He slapped his pant leg, a cloud of dust sparkling in the evening sun. “I’m filthy.” He fixed his gaze ahead. “We’re going for a swim.”
Her eyes rounded. “A swim?”
A gust of cold wind brushed her neck, carrying a scent of pine and rainwater. Esemeray wrapped her arms around her cloak, tightening it.
“Allow me.” Riggs bent to a knee, untying the twine wrapped around her feet. Her pulse soared. He slipped them off, placing her shoes by his boots.
She wiggled her toes, sighing in relief. “Thank you,” Esemeray said, glancing out to the waters dumping into the massive blue pool, the heavy sound swallowing her voice. “This place is…” She stepped forward, and winced.
Uncomfortable.
“Careful.” Riggs removed his tunic, draping it along the pebbles. “Here step on this.” He cracked a smile. “The rocks are sharp.”
She stepped on his tunic, toes dragging across linen. “You are too kind to me,” she murmured.
“Kind?” Riggs gripped her chin, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “This is the bare minimum. You deserve nothing less.”
Esemeray flooded with warmth. “What is this place?”
He stepped back, smirking. “I call this Razafalls,” Riggs said, yanking off his belt. “The sun is going down soon. If we’re going in, now is our chance.”
She nodded, removing her cloak, fighting her body tremors. Even though Riggs had seen all of her, still, she draped her hair, covering her breasts, her scar.
“It’s far too cold to swim.”
“I’ll keep you warm.” Riggs winked, removing his pants, and undershorts.
Esemeray gulped, fighting her curiosity to glance at his physique, at his length. She had been wondering ever since last night—hopefully his penis is much prettier than Peters.
“Hang on,” Riggs said, his voice rough.
Esemeray hadn’t had enough time to brace herself before her feet were lifting off the ground.
She shrieked, wrapping her arms around his neck, and sighed as Riggs held her flush to his body, his muscles flexing beneath her.
She slammed her eyes shut, cold water biting into her skin, and freezing her to her core.
Desperate for the slightest warmth, Esemeray shoved her face in his neck, shivering.
“You can swim right?” Riggs asked before releasing her into the water. “It only gets deeper.”
“Yes,” she said, teeth chattering, moving to keep afloat.
It had been a while since she last swam. But she remembered her lessons enough. Her mother hadn’t let her out of the pool until she learned.
She had almost drowned that day.
She kicked her feet, jolting as something slimy brushed her feet. “Something touched my foot!” Her scream echoed through the forest, birds scattering in the sky.
Riggs threw his head back laughing. “There are fish in the water, princess.” He jerked his chin toward the falls. “Race you!”
In a matter of minutes, he disappeared behind the cascades, leaving her alone. She pouted. Riggs was a much faster swimmer.
I should shift into a fish and bite him for leaving me.
When she had eventually reached him, she slung herself on a rock, catching her breath.
Finally calm, she glanced around, her ears ringing from the constant rush. Behind the falls, light streamed through, casting a blue iridescent glow, its luminance dancing along the stone. Her gaze traveled toward the top of the cave. What are those?
Neon-green reptiles leapt across, creeping inside a hole, disappearing.
Esemeray’s face was full of awe. Further inside were hundreds of sleeping bats.
The walk was worth it. Being uncomfortable was worth it.
Swimming in a pool full of unknown fish was worth it.
She had never seen anything so magical in her entire life.
“Follow me!” Riggs shouted, swimming toward the mouth of the cave.
Esemeray beamed, consumed by the beauty as she followed Riggs, the pool becoming more shallow, swishing past her belly button.
“What do you think?” Riggs motioned around the underground chamber, his voice booming throughout the cave.
Unable to wipe the smile off her face, she said, “I love it.” She blinked, her lashes damp. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Riggs' gaze traveled down her body. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”
“It is…” she said, her teeth chattering.
Riggs frowned, opening his arms as if noticing her shiver. “Come here.”
She pressed her ear against his chest, his biceps wrapping firmly around her, his warmth lessening her tremors. She looked up at him, and her heart skipped as he leaned down, pressing his lips with hers. Her chest fluttered.
A slow smile spread across his face. “I’ve thought about doing that all day.”
“Is that so…” she said, her toes curling across the mushy surface.
“Yes, princess.” Blush overtook his cheeks. “I was even tempted to reach into my pocket and grab you then.”
She laughed. “You’d kiss me as a mouse?”
His tongue slid over his teeth. “I’d kiss you in any form.”
“You know, some people would say it’s unsanitary.” Esemeray’s stomach lowered, thinking about Mr. Pebbles, and all the times she had smooched him.
“Those people can be damned to hell.” Riggs planted a kiss on her forehead.
“You could have kissed me on the trail,” she said. “We were only alone for thirty minutes.”
Thirty painful minutes.
“Is that sarcasm I’m hearing?”
“Perhaps,” she said, fluttering her eyelashes.
He kissed her once. “I’m sorry.” Kissed her twice. “I won’t ever do that—” Kissed her thrice, “Again.”
Esemeray giggled, and said breathlessly, “Fine, I forgive you.”
Riggs grinned. “Good. Now…” He twirled a finger. “Turn around, Em.”
She sucked in a sharp breath, facing the downpour once again.
Water trickled down her skin, and then she was met with calloused palms, skimming over her shoulder blades, sliding down her sides.
She closed her eyes, finding peace in his touch as he continued moving down her back, across her arms in a gentle caress.
“Does this feel okay?” His breath brushed her ear, his hands inching toward her stomach, tracing circles along her skin. “I’ve never washed a woman before, so apologies if it is not pleasant.”
She nodded. It felt more than okay, wonderful in fact. Much better than Aria. His strokes caused her body to shudder. She chuckled. “It tickles.”
“Turn back around for me,” he said softly.
Opening her eyes, she faced him, studying his jaw. Thick hairs poked through, casting a dark shadow. She touched it, grazing her finger along his rough stubble. “I like this.”
“Do you?” Riggs said, eyes darkening.
Suddenly, Esemeray couldn’t breathe. “I do.”
“Then I’ll let it grow.” His lips curved.
Riggs washed her front, respectfully keeping his hands above her waist, but if he slid lower, she wouldn’t mind. She wanted him too, to feel his fingers sliding along her flesh. Last night was merely a tease. She bit her lip, straining to maintain her features. Keep it together.
He brushed her scar, breaking her thoughts. His brows bunched. “May I ask how this happened?”
Pressure built in her chest. She knew it was only a matter of time before he asked. She had overheard Killian and Riggs' conversation. Heard the tone of Riggs' voice. The shock in it. Knew he had been bothered by it.
Her throat worked, hesitating before she admitted, “A necklace my mother had made for me. It suppressed my powers for my protection.” She explained, “My father did not know about me and Elora…and I suppose she feared for our lives.”
Riggs nodded as if taking in the information. “It burned you?”
“Only when I tried to take it off.” A sad smile. “I tried to remove it many times when I was a girl.” She rubbed her scar, grazing her fingertips over the uneven tissue. “I had done it to myself.”
“No.” Riggs shook his head, his face turning crimson. “Your mother did.”
She swallowed thickly. “She said it was to make me better.”
His eyes hardened. “There’s nothing wrong with you, Esemeray. Do you hear me? Nothing.” Riggs fumed, his hands bunching.
She cupped his cheek in hopes to soothe him. “I know that now.”
“You are the most precious thing on this godsforsaken planet.” He seethed, turning from her. “And for her to make you feel that way…” He kicked the water, splashing the stone.
You’re an abomination. Her mother’s lethal voice filled her mind. Esemeray flinched. She wouldn’t tell him that part.
She reached for him, her fingers skimming his back. “Riggs, it’s okay…”
“No it’s not!” he shouted so loud, it disturbed the bats, stirring them from sleep.
Some flew out, and some repositioned, fluttering their wings.
He faced her, his breathing uneven. “I’ve seen what she has done to you.
The way she put her hands on you.” His forehead creased.
“And I know… I know that there is so much more that you are not saying…” He paused, his eyes closing. “It’s not fucking okay…”
Her eyes fell to the water, her breathing increasing.
She had no words.
He was right. There was so much more he did not know. So much more she’d rather not say.
A heavy silence hung between them.
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” Riggs said, his voice calming. “I lose myself…when it comes to you.” He blew out a breath, his voice a shaky whisper. “I wish I could take away every bad thing that ever happened to you.”
Chest tightening, she met his watery gaze, her own eyes now watering. Still, she had no words.
“The last thing I want to do is scare you,” Riggs said, voice hoarse. “I just want to protect you.”
“You don’t scare me.” Esemeray’s lip wobbled. “I just…have not had anyone care for me the way you do.”
Riggs reached for her hands, their fingers intertwining. “I will always care for you.” He huffed a saddened laugh. “Even if I am no longer breathing, I will find a way to do so.”
Esemeray wiped a tear from her eye, her chest expanding. “I?—”
I love you.
She was sure of it. She felt it deep in her bones.
She knew it wasn’t just attraction, but something more—something she had only felt with Elora, Mr. Pebbles, and Aria.
That was the only love she had experienced.
She had thought she loved her mother, thought her mother loved her, but that was not love.
Esemeray breathed. Before she told him her feelings, Riggs needed to know all of her.
“I need to tell you something.” Her gaze fell to their tangled hands.
“Anything,” Riggs said, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.
“The day I left home…something like shadows seeped from my hands.” Her voice lowered. “I have never seen it happen before, and I believe that’s what turned my necklace dormant…it’s why…how I was able to escape.” It had to be the reason.
Riggs' face paled. “Shadows?”
She chewed on her lip, the hair on her arms rising.
“It has not happened since—” Mr. Pebbles died.
“I left the castle.” She squeezed his hand.
“I wanted to ask you…” She paused, working up the courage to admit it.
Swallowing hard, she forced out the words, “Have you heard of any shifters who possess shadows?”
“No.” Riggs swept her hair back in a gentle caress. “Can you make them come out?”
“I have no control of them.” She gulped. “But I feel them beneath my skin…moving…” When you touch me. She wanted to say.
Riggs was silent for a second as if taking in the information.
“I…they appeared after?—”
Mr. Pebbles?—
No matter how many times she wanted to say his name, she simply could not. Her heart broke with every attempt.
Riggs brushed her cheek. “After what, Esemeray?” His tone was reassuring, gentle.
She stared at the water, avoiding his question.
“Hey, it’s okay. You don’t need to tell me.” Riggs ran his hands through her dampened strands, twirling the ends. “I’ll see what I can find out.” He gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his stare. “Okay?”
She blinked, holding back her tears and forced a nod.
Riggs smiled. “My shadow, shifter princess.”
Despite her sorrows, a laugh slipped. “Another nickname?”
“Oh, I have more.”
“Like what?” she teased.
Pressing a kiss to her mouth, Riggs hovered a hairsbreadth away, and said, “I have many, many names for you.” Her breath caught, shadows slithering down her back. Riggs pulled her flush to his body, drawing her bottom lip between his teeth, sucking gently. “I will tell you later.”
The tension between them swelled.
Riggs stared intently, and she could have sworn he wanted to kiss her again with the hunger in his eyes, but made no move, not as he delicately brushed his fingers down her arms and straightened. “It’s getting dark, we should go.”
Something hard brushed her belly. Her stomach tightened, her gaze curiously skimming down his body.
Riggs released his hold, cupping his hands over his waist, and said with eager eyes, “Race you!” Then he was diving into the water, disappearing beneath it.
She shook her head. I’ll show him. In a blink, her human form was gone, replaced by a fish—a fish with teeth.