CHAPTER 78
After the last winding of the lighthouse, they finally fell asleep—or he did his version of sleep and she hers. He was so big, so broad as he cuddled around her, like a shield to the outside world so that no one could ever find her let alone hurt her. It was blissful.
She hoped he enjoyed the feeling of her in his arms just as much.
And for the first time, he had seemed to finally fall asleep—or something closer to it, something unguarded and unwatchful—and he was lying there peacefully when the birds woke her.
The sky was pale orange in greeting to the sunrise, which meant it hadn’t been long since she had drifted off.
His breath was so soft, so slow, compared to hers that it truly seemed like he could stay underwater forever, as little as he seemingly needed to breathe.
Normally, she’d get up and start rushing to her tasks. Normally, the glass would already be cleaned, the brass shined, and breakfast cooking.
But here in his arms, nothing seemed to matter but the peacefulness of the sky, the stillness of the water, the call of the birds, and his skin against hers.
If he had been awake, she would have pestered him for another round, but she found she didn’t need it.
No, here beside him, with his arms around her was all she needed.
And as she leaned her head back against his chest, she could just make out his heartbeat.
It made her think of how wrong those initial worries were of him being an incubus.
She could never have imagined in those days that he would not only have had her but that she would marry him, and yet now it made perfect sense.
Listening to his heartbeat—a heart she knew beat with love—it was clear he was no demon or spirit but a man—or merman—and honestly, she wondered now if even him being a spirit would have made any difference to her.
Kallias was Kallias. She would have taken him in any form.
She nuzzled back into his side, snuggling against the warmth she hoped to never lose, and smiled at the pleasure of how wonderful life could be.