Page 75 of Daughter of the Dark Sea

Blake scoffed and lifted his head to stare at the night sky. The stars dazzling in his green eyes made Kora hitch a breath. It was like seeing a sparkling earth captured in those irises.

“Don’t try to be nice to me,” he spoke gravelly. “What I said . . . I,” he paused and looked at her. “I shouldneverhave said that to you.”

Kora snorted in response.

With a sigh, Blake stretched his legs beside hers. “What I’m trying to say is, I’m sorry. I acted like a bilge rat to you. You’remycaptain, Kora. More importantly, you’re my partner, and I know how hard you’ve worked. The stress of everything is starting to get to me. Too many things are at stake—you’re at stake. Perilous times are ahead. Too perilous for a—”

“A woman?”

Shame flitted across his face. “I can’t lose you. Or let anything happen to you. I don’t know what would happen to me if I did. If I’d even live . . .”

Her heart swelled. She couldn’t imagine living without him either, not that she’d admit that. Instead, she smacked him across the arm, and he startled.

“You deserve that,” she muttered.

“I suppose I do.”

“But maybe you can grovel some more.”

“Oh?” A smile sparkled. “Do you want me on my knees?”

Heat flashed, and she nodded. “Apology accepted.”

Kora nudged her foot towards his, and Blake returned the movement till their booted feet touched, followed by their shins and knees. A shiver rippled through her, and she glanced at her first mate, nibbling her lower lip.

She considered telling Blake everything in that moment—about the forged letter uponHell’s Serpent, the Skytor clansearching for a female, and Finlay’s involvement . . . and that theMist was growing. She swallowed, one hand hovering over the talisman and opened her mouth—

“How was the rockpool?” Blake asked.

Oh no,had he seen her? If he had, he wouldn’t have apologised. Her corpse would be buried in the desert instead. Her hand fell from her chest to the pebbled shore.

“Fine,” she murmured. “Felt good after the desert.”

Their eyes met and he shamefully glanced away, Kora mirroring his motion. He audibly swallowed as their romantic desert getaway drifted out into the dark ocean.

“I know something else that’d feel good,” Blake’s voice lowered an octave, his familiar drawl returning, and Kora’s toes curled in her boots.

“Promises, promises,” she smiled.

Perhaps they could still try to capture a moment of their original plan? But no way could they get away with sharing one of the tiny single-person tents—let alone trying to keep quiet. Following her trail of thought, he glanced to the camp, his eyes wandering over the tents. His mouth thinned.Gods-damn it, Erick.

“Then again . . .” He exhaled as Samuel’s laughter floated towards them, clearing his throat, and capturing her gaze again. “I want you to know that I’m honoured to have served onHell’s Serpent.”

Hidden words lingered beneath. He wasn’t destined for the naval life. He was only there becauseshe’drequested him, and Blake would follow her wherever she would go. Even if he was better suited to the armies. Except following her to the Silver Sister’s clan, which was why she’d have to leave him in Aldara.

Kora wasn’t even sure if she would return from Shannara—at least not in one piece, and guilt panged through her at thethought. At the secrets she was burying. So many secrets she felt like she was drowning in the waters lapping near her feet.

Her life was becoming a dangerous mix of mysteries and secrets.

One of her fingers brushed his as their hands rested near each other. A tentative, daring touch, and he softened at the gesture.

“Blake. I-I want to tell you that . . .” She struggled to form the words on her lips, her tongue twisting.

“I know, myasterya. Someday, we’ll have the chance—the time—to unpack . . .” he gestured between them, “everything.”

Everything?

Everything.