Page 21

Chapter 21

Odik

W e put the fish in the cool box, and I was grateful to see such a large catch. This would be enough to carry not just us through the storm but all the others I supported. During the day, I’d made sure their homes were secure, covering their windows and tying down or bringing anything the tempest might steal inside. It was important to check up on them frequently, and a storm was as good an excuse as any.

After washing our hands at the sink, I turned and leaned against the counter.

“We left the drying cloths down on the rocks,” Eleri said, her face open and cheerful in the light of the whisp lanterns. I crossed the room and blew on each to keep them glowing.

“We’ll pick them up on our way to where we’ll swim.”

A smile teased across her lips. “Where will we swim? The sea was calm beyond the rocks, but when I looked over the cliffs, I could see spray lifting in some areas. Don’t we have to worry about dresalods or being pushed against the boulders?”

“I’m going to show you where it’s safe, mate.” Taking her hand, I led her back outside and down the stairs again. But instead of going left and to the boulders, I took her along the shore to the right, all the way to the point and around it.

“It’s so pretty,” she said, looking from the sea to me.

“Are you saying I’m pretty?” I teased.

“Very much.” Her laughter spilled out, and I adored how content she seemed just being with me. I could envision a long, happy life with her. It might not be easy, but we’d face each challenge together.

“I think you’re the pretty one, not me.”

“You’re sweet, Odik. I was frightened about what I’d face when I left the fortress, but what I’ve found with you is much more than I could’ve ever have imagined.”

“I don’t imagine you thought you’d find anything good with the orcs.”

“We’re mistaken. I’ll tell them if I ever return.” A shadow slipped across her face, stealing her joy. “Of course, I can never return. They think I murdered Zur. They’ll arrest me.”

“If there was a way to clear your name, I would.”

“Thank you.” She shrugged. “I hate that the few people I could call friends would believe I could do something horrible like that. They knew I loved him.” Her chin lifted. “You know what? I bet they don’t believe I did it, and I hope they speak up and say so.”

I hoped they did too. We could return to the village, and she could tell them what happened from the safety of the forest, but would it make a difference? If they didn’t believe her, they’d try to capture her. I’d never put my mate in danger.

Because I loved her.

The feeling had slipped so easily into my heart, as if that organ knew a piece was missing and waited only for her to slip it into place. Some might say it was fast and sudden, but that was the way with fated mates.

“Where are you taking me?” she said with a low laugh.

I was glad she could shrug off her sadness and focus on now.

“Not far.” I led her up a small hill and down the other side, approaching a series of flat rocks like the ones we’d fished from.

“Will we jump off these?” She released a shiver. “I’m not sure if I’m ready to plunge into the sea when it’s over my head.”

“We’ll swim where it’s shallow and safe.”

“In this huge body of water? We caught some good-sized fish, and that tells me that the things that eat them are bigger than the ones we reeled in.”

“There are enormous fish in the sea. I’ve seen them in the spring. They migrate, and as they pass in huge schools, they leap from the water and splash back down among their friends. Their skin is smooth, not scaled. The tops of their bodies are dark purple and the underside paler.”

“I can’t wait to see them, but honestly, I don’t want to swim with them.”

“You won’t.”

We crossed a series of huge flat rocks and stopped in the middle.

“A pool,” she exclaimed. “It’s in the middle of the rocks, though I can see that water splashes up across the front of the boulders and keeps it filled.” Her gaze followed the water-filled channel all the way to the cliffs, and she pointed. “Is that a cave?”

“It’s shallow.” I’d explored every part of this island when I was young. “Sadly, there’s no excitement in that direction.” I reached for the tie to my loincloth. “Ready for your first swimming lesson?”

“I suspect you have more than swimming in mind, mate .”

“Are you all right with that?” She’d given me the idea she was falling for me just like I was for her, but perhaps she wasn’t ready to take this further.

“I am.” She lifted her top over her head and tossed it aside, revealing her glorious breasts.

As I unwound the leather and dropped it on the rocks, she shimmied out of her skirt and laid it carefully next to her folded top.

Her shoes joined the rest of her clothing, and she straightened, her chin lifted slightly. “My leg’s a mess. Please don’t look at it.”

“I saw it when I massaged it, remember?”

“It was dark then.”

“It’s dark now.” I dropped to my knees in front of her, though this put us at eye level. “I see scars, but they’re badges of courage. They show me you’re a fighter, that you don’t give up, that no matter what happens to you, you keep trying.” I met her gaze, and I hoped she could see the honesty in mine. “I cherish each part of you, including your scars.”

“You’re going to make me cry.” Her lips trembled. “I don’t hate my scars, per se. They’re so much a part of me now that other than my limp and a wish that my leg would work better than it does, I accept myself as I am. How can I do anything else? It’s not as if I can change this.”

“You’re beautiful,” I said in awe. “I still can’t believe you’re even willing to look at me.”

As I rose to my feet, she stepped right up to me, our skin brushing. “You’re perfect. Strong, kind, and gorgeous.”

“Males aren’t gorgeous,” I said with a smile. “We’re handsome or perhaps striking. Nothing as glorious as you.”

“It seems we both admire each other. That’s enough, don’t you think?”

“It is.” I was honored to have this woman as my mate, and I was going to cherish her each and every date the fates granted us.

I couldn’t believe we were standing here naked and only talking. She was lovely, all lush curves and creamy skin so different from my green. Her breasts were high and round, and I wanted to suck on her nipples. But despite teasing her about swimming naked, I didn’t plan to take this too far. I’d let her guide what we did tonight.

“How will you teach me to swim?” she asked, wrapping her arms around her body.

“Are you uncomfortable being naked with me?”

“I should be, right? But we’ve done things. Not everything, but we’ve both seen parts of each other. This . . . just takes it a bit further.”

“If you’re more comfortable learning to swim with clothing on, we can wear our shirts.”

She teased her fingertip across my belly, and my brain shot all the way to the sky. My cock tried to reach it too. Her smile grew as she traced a fingertip along my length.

“Big,” she said. “Thick. One of these days, you’re going to have to show me what you can do with it.”

“Say the word, mate, and I will.”

When she looked up at me, her gaze was full of mischief. “Swimming first. We’ll talk about other activities after that.”

Very well. “As for how I’ll teach you,” It was all I could do to think—speak—and not stroke every bit of her lovely body. “I’ll hold you in the water and show you how to keep your head above the surface, then slowly show you how to move when you challenge the rest of the sea.”

“Which I’m not going to do today, right?”

“Maybe we can wait for tomorrow,” I teased.

Her head tilted. “During the storm?”

“Maybe we’ll wait until a day or two after the storm.”

She gripped my forearms. “For whatever reason, I’ve always been afraid of deep water.”

“Maybe that’s how you hurt your leg?”

“I don’t remember.” Her shrug shifted her breasts. Highly distracting. “I was either too young or I’ve blocked it from my mind.”

“Do you want to know?”

“Sometimes, yes. Did I do something stupid or was it an accident or did someone try to harm me? I just don’t know.” She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter any longer.”

“Sometimes it’s best to just let go of the things you can’t change.”

“You’re right.” She stepped back and stared toward the sea stretching on for what seemed like forever. “The clouds are gathering, strengthening. It’s going to be a big storm.”

I went up behind her and held her, savoring the feel of our bodies touching. I ached to be with her, but it was also nice to just hold her. “When I was young and the mantle of leadership hadn’t settled on my shoulders, I used to love storms.”

“Do you fear them now?”

“Only what they can do to my people. There’s something awesome about a storm. My father used to come down to the rocks where we fished while the tide was out. We’d stand there and challenge the storm’s fury with our arms and voices raised.”

“I understand. It’s doing something, not just letting the storm rush over you while you cower.”

“Exactly. When the tide comes in during a storm, the water covers the rocks. This pool as well. It washes against the cave you hoped to explore.”

“Are there other caves on the island?”

“If there were,” I said, “I would’ve found them already. I spent much of my childhood exploring every bit of the island. I started doing the same with the uninhabited ones nearby until my father caught me returning one day in his boat and smacked my ass, telling me never to take on the sea alone again.”

“How old were you then?”

“Ten.”

She laughed and turned in my arms, looking up at me. “I think I would’ve chided you too if you’d been my son.”

I shrugged. “My mother visited the village often. My father was always busy with the clan. I entertained myself.”

“I’m sorry. I imagine you were lonely.”

“There were other orclings here I played with, but I also enjoyed being by myself.” I nudged my chin to the pool. “Enough of that, however. Let’s sit on the side first and dangle our feet in the water.”

She laughed again when we did so, pointing to where her feet skimmed well above the water. “So much for dangling our feet. I’m coming up short.”

I slid off the rock and into the refreshing chill of the pool and faced her with my arms toward her, treading water to hold my position. “Jump in and I’ll catch you.”

A cute frown took over her face. “How’s the temperature?”

“Cool. Wonderful.”

“That’s a matter of perspective. Some of the wealthier villagers had tubs and would have servants carry hot water to fill it. I can’t imagine what it’s like to soak in hot water.”

“Maybe you’ll find out one day.” I could heat the sea water. Buy a tub in the city. It would make a wonderful surprise.

She hopped down to join me in the pool, shrieking when her body slid into the water. Bobbing, she clung to my shoulders, and I was reminded all over again that we wore no clothing.

I traced my fingers down her sides, and she shivered, her gaze falling on my mouth.

“I love that this puts us at the right height for kissing, but it is so cold!” she said, quaking.

“Kissing, you say? Are you trying to tempt me away from my swim lesson?” Like she needed to make any effort? It was all I could do not to touch her breasts, her luscious ass. To spread her legs and touch her there.

“Why would I want to distract you?” Her eyes gleamed with mischief. “I live on an island surrounded by water. It makes sense for me to learn how to swim, don’t you think?”

Because I could never resist her, I kissed her, stroking my tongue across her lips until she gave me full access.

This was our first true kiss, and I was going to savor it.

With a moan, she clutched my shoulders, pressing her body against mine.

I stroked her lips with my tongue, and she let me inside. Our tongues slid together, as did our bodies.

Fuck it. I slid my fingers across her breast and rolled her nipple.

She broke away with a gasp, her eyes dark with desire. “I think you’re the one providing a distraction.”

“Should I stop?”

“I like it. It would be a lie to say I didn’t.”

“We came here for your swimming lesson.” And it was important that she learn. “What do you say to swimming first, and then I’ll show you pleasure?”

“Maybe we should skip the lesson.”

Heat roared through me, but the storm was coming. This would be our last time in the water for days.

I was foolish not to take her offer, but I didn’t want her to think I brought her down here with the tease of getting naked only to take advantage of the situation. My cock shouted it was well past time I claimed her, but I had principles.

“We’ll have a short lesson.” Nothing was going to get the image of claiming my mate out of my mind.

She pouted, her bottom lip jutting out in the most tempting way. “You’re a tease.”

“But you’re relaxed in the water now, aren’t you?

She huffed. “I am.”

“I am a tease, but I’m also determined,” I said. “We’re surrounded by water. While you don’t have to swim regularly unless you wish, you should know how to do it. One day, the lessons I give you could prove vital for your survival.”

“You’re right.” She sent me a rueful look. “What’s next?”

“I want you to let go of me and hold onto those rocks on the side. They'll help you feel secure as you learn to swim.”

“I could cling to you.”

And mess with my fragile self-control? It was all I could do to remember why we were here and not focus on her delectable body.

“Always,” I said gruffly. I shook my head and made myself focus. “There may be times you want to swim alone, though please don’t do that until we’re both confident in your swimming abilities.”

“All right.” She released her hold on my shoulders, reaching out for the edge of the rocks. Her fingers gripped them tightly, her knuckles turning white with her effort.

“You’re doing great.” I followed, staying an arm’s length away from her, ready to grab onto her if anything went wrong. I wanted her first lesson to be fun. If I could show her how to control her body’s movement in the water rather than let the water control her, she could build from there. “It’s healthy to fear the water, but you’re going to show it you’re the boss.”

She slapped the surface. “Get it, water? I’m in charge here.”

“That’s right.”

With each wave, water glided over the rocks and drained into the pool, only to be sucked back with the current through channels between the enormous boulders.

I placed a hand on her back, lightly rubbing small circles between her shoulder blades.

Her muscles relaxed, and she leaned into my hand.

“I’m here for you. I won’t let anything bad happen.”

“What do I do now?”

Closing the distance between us, I slid my arm around her waist, my body pressed against hers. “First, you need to lean forward slightly, trusting the water to support you. Like this.” I demonstrated, tilting my body to show her the position.

She followed suit, mimicking my movements tentatively. Her hair glistened with droplets of water, framing her face like dark tendrils. I resisted the urge to brush them away, focusing instead on teaching her.

“Kick your legs in a back-and-forth motion. You can also use your arms by spreading them wide and swirling them through the water. Both will keep you above the surface.” I showed her by kicking my feet and moving the arm not around her, creating ripples in the pool.

She copied me, her legs flailing awkwardly at first but gradually finding a rhythm. Water splashed about as she gained confidence, her laughter mixing with the sound.

“That's it.” I tightened my hold around her waist. “You're doing amazing.”

We continued to practice, her embracing the water's buoyancy as I guided her movements. Each time she struggled or faltered, I offered words of encouragement and gentle adjustments. My hands trailed along her sides, providing both a steady presence and a subtle reassurance.

Her movements became more confident, as if she were born for this element.

“This is amazing.” She tipped her head back and lifted her voice. “I love the water!” She splashed playfully, kicking up droplets that caught the muted light like falling stars. The crisp scent of the sea filled the air, and I couldn’t stop grinning.

“You’re advancing through this lesson faster than I expected,” I said.

She huffed. “Did you think I couldn’t do it?”

“I don’t believe there’s anything you can’t do if you set your mind to it, Eleri.” There was something undeniably beautiful about watching her conquer her worries and embrace this new experience. I grinned proudly, my heart swelling with love for this woman who’d become my everything.

I showed her a simple stroke she could use to propel herself through the water, and she floundered at first, quickly gaining competence as she glided from one end of the pool to the other.

Eventually, fatigue settled in. Sensing her muscles must feel heavy, I eased her back toward me. “Well done, mate. Hold on to me. It's time for you to rest.”

Leaning back in my embrace, she sighed contentedly, her chest rising and falling in sync with mine.

“Thank you for teaching me,” she murmured, her voice soft and tired.

I pressed a kiss to the top of her head and then her temple, savoring the taste of saltwater mixed with her skin. “It was my pleasure, my love. Always.”

I lifted her out of the pool and onto the side, then joined her, our legs dangling like before.

As the cool breeze danced over my skin, I savored the moment, wrapped up in the afterglow of her accomplishment.