Chapter 9
Salty sea air kisses my face as the wind surges from off the water.
My toes flex in my boots as I stand at the edge of the dock.
The desire to jump in tugs at me. I tuck my wings in close to my body to keep them from catching the wind.
I desperately want to dive in and leave the world behind.
The ocean whispers my name with each splash of the waves against the dock.
The reverberation of boots on the planks pulls me from my daydreams, and I glance over my shoulder to see Lachlan carrying two large packs.
“Were ye thinking about diving in?”
“You know me too well,” I reply, facing the sea again.
The sun sinks in the sky, and I’m jealous that it appears to slip into the water. A larger wave batters against the dock as if it’s reaching for me. Water sprays droplets that darken the bleached wood at my feet.
“Aye. Come on, Key, get in the boat.”
The last time I was in this boat, we were slipping into the capital to face off with Odessa and Julius.
Now I’m getting back in the boat to track down their poisonous rocks and bring magic back to our land.
I stroke the curving arch of the bow as thoughts of that night whirl through me.
Elowen’s face flashes across my mind. Heaving a sigh, I vanish my wings and drop into the boat.
It rocks slightly under my feet as I make my way to the bench that stretches the width of the hull.
I wish I could undo everything they did.
“The wind is in our favor, and we can use the sail this time.” Lachlan smiles at me while patting the towering mast. But I don’t return his enthusiasm.
His smile falters. “What’s the matter?”
“I’m just tired,” I lie.
Well, partially lie.
I am tired, but the stress of the last few days weighs heavily on me. Am I making the right decision? Should I be gallivanting off to the other islands to destroy crystals? Is that what my mom would have done? Or Gran?
“Ye can sleep on the way again,” he suggests. “Although if ye sleep the whole time, ye might miss seeing the sea dragons.” He unties the boat and kicks us away from the dock.
My head whips to him as his words interrupt my brooding. “Sea dragons?”
“They’re rare to see, but Evander swears he’s seen them when he’s sailed between the islands.
They tend to like Scota the best.” He works with a skilled hand, pulling the ties to hoist the sail into place without opening it before grabbing an oar and settling down to row us further away from the docks.
I roll my eyes as understanding dawns; he’s obviously teasing me.
“Fine. Wake me up if you see any.”
I stretch out on the hull and pull a pack under my head.
I hear the clatter of the oar against the hull before Lachlan walks with steady steps over to the other pack and pulls a black pelt out before draping it over my body.
I smile to myself and snuggle into its softness, letting the lapping waves and the gentle pitching of the boat lull me to sleep.
Shades of violet cloud my vision before a brisk wind blows the curtains out of my way. I’m standing on the edge of a wrought-iron balcony overlooking a sparkling silver sea on the outside of an onyx stone wall. As far as the eye can see is the shimmering ocean.
I don’t know this place, but it feels like home.
Gulls cry in the distance, and waves slam against the stone wall.
Before a scream ruptures the serenity. My eyes search frantically for the cause of the scream, and then I see it.
Like a black swarm in the distance, monstrous boats with black sails breach the horizon.
A horn blasts and several more echo it before giant bonfires erupt in the guard towers along the wall.
A warning for the incoming invasion. Noise from behind me has me whirling around to see a very tall man running by the door.
There’s a flash of hair as black as night, and features that are eerily familiar.
The ground begins trembling underneath my feet, and I look down to see black, scale-like leathers.
I flinch awake to Lachlan shaking my arm.
“Key, look,” he points to the right of the boat, “sea dragons.”
I grasp the side of the boat, pulling myself up to peer over the side and into the water.
Turquoise scales shimmer in the starlight, and my heart stops. It’s a creature as long as our sailboat. Spikes the size of my arm and the color of the poppies by the training ground rip through the surface like a dorsal fin. A reptilian head the size of a man breaches the water.
“Gods,” I squeak out.
Lachlan chuckles at my expense. “Ye thought I was joking.”
It’s a dragon. An actual dragon. Thin, sheer wings propel it along as it keeps pace with us effortlessly. Its slanted orange eyes narrow into slits as it stares curiously at us.
“Are—are they dangerous?” I ask Lachlan, not daring to take my eyes off the creature in front of me.
“Undoubtedly. I’ve never heard of one coming out of the water like that. Usually, Evander just says he sees the spikes.”
The dragon leisurely circles our vessel before easing back under the water and trailing after us. Not a ripple left in its wake. But water sprays from its snout several times, making us aware of its presence, before it dives deeper under the water.
“That was incredible.” I lean my side against the stern of the boat. Lachlan stretches his arms around me, cradling me to his chest.
“I’m glad ye liked it.”
I hum my agreement, leaning my head back against his chest.
The rich timber of his voice vibrates through me as he asks, “Are ye doing alright?”
I shake my head, my braids tangling against the woven leather of his shirt. “No, not really. I can’t shake the feeling that something bad is coming.”
“Ye mean the war?” he asks, leaning in close. His lips nearly graze my ear.
“Yes, but more than that. Losing Elowen, and then Tane getting injured … ” I take a steadying breath. “What if we lose someone else? I mean, what’s the point in even getting close to anyone else if they’re probably going to die in the war?”
My lip quivers lightly as I think about the possibility of losing anyone else.
But Lachlan chuckles, and the sound rolls through me.
“I dinna ken. What’s the point in trying to make the most of our lives if we’re going to die in the end?”
“No, that’s not—”
“I ken that’s nae what ye meant, but it’s still true. Tomorrow is not promised. Ye need to make the most of each day. Love as much as ye can, feel as much as ye can, just experience all that life has to offer and dinna worry about the rest.”
His words sink into me like a stone plunked in water.
“Is that what you do?” I murmur.
His chin rests on the top of my head, and he inhales deeply through his nose.
“Aye, I’m trying to.” He brushes a kiss to my temple, and I sink deeper into his embrace.
“I ken you’re dealing with a lot, but I’m still here.
And I always will be. Ye dinna ha’ to do any of this alone.
” His voice is gruff, and I turn my head to see his gaze, so full of longing.
I twist in his arms, tilting my chin up and pressing my lips to his. Just like the first time, my body goes hot and cold simultaneously. A tightness grips my stomach. His lips are soft, yet firm as he kisses me with a reverence that makes my chest ache. My pulse races as I press myself against him.
I need more.
He deepens the kiss by parting his lips, and my tongue slips inside. He tastes like deep waters and cool breezes. My arms find their way around his neck as I pull him closer towards me, craving the strength in his touch.
Craving him.
His fingertips brush against my skin, so gentle and tender.
Guilt stirs within me.
Mathilda had handled Tane with such care. Tane, who is back in the capital after almost dying, and who is depending on us to fix magic.
This is not the time for us.
I pull away, and Lachlan eases his grip. His breath comes out in rapid pants, and he presses his forehead against mine, closing his eyes.
“Too soon?”
I nod, my nose skimming his. “I just … feel guilty with everything going on right now. Maybe we shouldn’t—”
“I ken what you’re saying.” Lachlan smiles, placing a brief kiss onto my forehead. “I can wait.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, leaning back into his arms. “It’ll be easier when all of this is over.”