Page 55

As soon as we get to the reef, I drift off the side of Kodia, taking Neev with me. This part of the ocean is teaming with life because we’re closer to the side of the planet with constant light. The sunlight filters down through water, the rays scattered into beautiful beams that dance over the sandy seafloor.

I swim alongside Neev, pointing out all the flora and fauna as we pass by. The colors of this reef are some of the most vivid I’ve seen on our planet or any other I’ve visited. Bright orange corals and pink underwater flowers are so stunningly contrasted by the aqua blue water around us.

There’s one more place I want to show her before we have to go back. I grab her hand and lead her down into a rocky cave. I go through a narrow opening first and then turn to help guide her through and then watch as she takes in the sight around us.

Oh my stars.She spins in a circle taking the sight around us in.What are they?

Bioluminescent sea worms.

Ew. Worms?She moves closer to the cave wall to get a better look. Thousands of the worms drift in the currents as half their bodies hang out from cracks in the walls.

Careful. They’re venomous.

She pulls her hand back but keeps looking around the small space. There’s just enough space for me to stand and not hit my head. I watch her take everything in and then turn back to me. She floats up until we’re face to face and cups my neck. Her hand runs over my jaw as she looks at me. Into me.

Thank you for showing me all of this.

Her eyes dip from mine down to my lips, and my heart picks up its pace. Before I can do anything, she’s pressing her lips against mine. It’s a chaste kiss since she’s covered by the suit. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s the most intimate exchange I’ve ever had with a female.

I don’t know if it’s a good thing we’re underwater or a bad one, because if we were on land I’d have her pressed against the nearest surface while I kissed her senseless. What happened between us in the alley of the village would look tame compared to the way my hands would rove all over her body.

She releases me, and I immediately miss her soft curves and warmth pressed against me. But I can wait. I will have her eventually. There’s not a doubt in my mind.

She’s mine.

* * *

The need to steal more time with her is one that won’t release me. We don’t have time to hide away from our responsibilities, but it doesn’t stop me from taking her hand and pulling her toward the hot springs hidden away in the caves around the estate.

“Where are you taking me?” she asks, leaving her hand clasped in mine.

“Are you cold?”

“Yes, a little.”

“There are a few natural springs tucked away down here. They’re heated by geothermal vents and full of minerals that will help soothe your muscles from all the swimming.”

I grab a torch from the wall as the light dims the further back we go. She falls in step beside me.

“If I wasn’t with you, would you need the torch?” she asks.

“No.”

“How’s that going to work for the tunnels?”

“Hyva has found lenses for you to wear over your eyes that will make your vision equal to ours. So as long as you can tolerate the feeling of them in your eye, you should be good.”

The air becomes heavy with heat and moisture as we step into the cavern with the hot springs. The sound of the water gurgling up from below and lapping at the edge of the stones echoes off the walls. I release her hand and walk around the pool closest to us, lighting the sconces hanging from the stone walls.

She stands on the edge of the pool, looking around and taking in the space. The walls are made of the same stone as those inside the estate, just in the raw form. The veins of silver and white sparkle against the black in the dancing firelight.

I step down into the water, barely suppressing a moan of pleasure at how good the heat feels. She hesitantly dips a toe in before bringing her eyes to mine. Part of me wants to invade her mind, to know every thought hidden behind her violet gaze.

“You should remove the suit before getting in.” I know she’s uncomfortable with being nude, although she seems to handle me being naked well.

Watching me through wary eyes she reaches behind her neck. “Will you turn around?”

Disappointment settles over me at her discomfort, but I immediately do as she asks. I don’t turn back around until she tells me she’s ready. My breath rushes from me in a whoosh when I see her. She’s piled all her hair up on her head again, so the entire length of her neck is visible. If I look closely, I can see the flutter of her pulse beneath her pale skin.