Page 146 of Blackheart

He removed them along with his black uniform and dropped his weapons to the ground.

I turned away in an attempt to be polite, hiding my flushed cheeks.

His muscular build was on full display, save for his grey shorts. I wantedso badlyto know what the tattoo said on the bottom of his abdomen, but couldn’t bring myself to look long enough to find out.

Instead, I walked towards the water, Riven following. The thin material of my dress blew against my legs in the wind, but I didn’t care.

I watched curiously as cold water ran over my feet for all but a moment before the wave returned to the ocean.

Riven approached, and we stood quietly while another calm wave crashed and simmered out, water running past our ankles.

His hand brushed against mine. An accident, but powerful enough to ignite a flame from the ashes inside of me. I didn’t pull away, and despite his brief hesitation, he laced our fingers together.

“There’s a cove in there,” he said, pointing to the boulder in the distance.

Truthfully, I would go anywhere with him. If he wanted to show me the inside of a huge rock, I’d do it.

I nodded, and he guided us down the beach, walking hand in hand.

As we approached the boulder, Riven assessed it silently, as if he might change his mind.

I frowned. “What’s wrong?”

He scanned our surroundings, considering his options. “It requires a short swim to get inside the cove. I don’t want you having to get your dress wet.”

“It will dry. I’ll be fine.”

Releasing his hand, I walked straight into the ocean. He didn’t argue, but hurried ahead protectively, guiding us around the rock. Following its edge, the water came up to my chest. The ocean was cold, but not unbearable. I’d had plenty of baths that were worse. It wasn’t until we were on the far side where the boulder’s cave opened up that I needed to truly swim.

Following Riven’s lead, we entered, passing around a corner, where it became an enclosed cove. Light poured in from above,illuminating the space. Stone platforms surrounded the edges of the water, flat rocks wide enough to walk on.

Riven climbed out first, then helped me.

My nightgown clung to me, but it was worth it. It felt as if I’d entered a secret room, where mermaids would gossip and brush each other's hair. The water was clearer—more blue, and without waves, completely calm.

“Look,” Riven said, pointing up.

Along the round opening in the ceiling, thousands of violet and blue crystals were embedded in the stone. I sighed in awe.

“How did you find this place?”

Riven sat with his back against the rock wall, while I kept on the edge, my feet dangling in the water.

He shuffled uncomfortably. “My mother showed it to me when I was a child. It was my reward for learning to swim.”

He’d never talked about his family before. I’d figured he had one somewhere, just never thought to ask about them. “Your mom sounds nice.”

His head hung low. “She was.”

My lips pressed together.

“What happened to her?”

“Um,” he said, voice wavering, “I don’t want you to think of me differently.”

“I won’t.”

Our eyes met. He wanted to confide in me, but something was stopping him. I’d never given up on him before, and I wouldn’t now.