Page 10

THALASSAR

H er whispered “wait” hung in the air between us.

My pulse raced, but I pulled back immediately, scales shifting to cover more intimate areas.

“Of course,” I said, my voice steady despite the fire still burning through me.

Lucy’s breath came in short pants, her skin flushed, her pupils wide.

The scent of her---salt and warmth and something uniquely her---still wrapped around me, but all that was important was the trembling in her limbs, not the hunger in my own.

Hugging her close, I stroked her hair.

The strands, damp from our swim, clung to my scaled fingers.

“Whatever you want,” I murmured.

“Whatever you need.”

She shivered, leaning her forehead against my chest.

“I just... I need time.”

“Time is yours,” I assured gently, despite the restraint coiling tight within me.

“Shall we return?”

She nodded against me.

I shifted back to my dragon form, curling around her as she settled onto my back.

The swim back was slower this time.

The water was cool against my scales, the currents gentle as I navigated the glowing kelp forests and the great coral spires that marked the outskirts of my city.

Bioluminescent creatures pulsed in the dim depths, tiny lights flickering like stars beneath the waves.

Lucy remained quiet, her fingers gripping my mane.

Her silence pressed against me heavier than the ocean itself, but I did not press her for words.

When we reached the palace, she slid from my back as I transformed.

“I should...” She hesitated, waving vaguely toward her chambers.

“Of course. I’ll check the communications device, see if there’s been any word from your team.”

She caught my hand before I could turn away.

“Thank you. For understanding.”

I brought her fingers to my lips, pressing a soft kiss to her skin.

“Always.”

She withdrew, padding barefoot down the corridor.

The sound of her soft footfalls echoed against the polished stone, vanishing as she disappeared around the corner.

I exhaled sharply and rested against the wall’s cold surface.

What is she thinking?

The question burned through me as I made my way to my study.

I didn’t notice Maris until she cleared her throat.

“You look troubled,” she said.

I dropped into my chair, absently tracing the patterns on his arm.

“She asked for time.”

“Ah.” Maris settled across from me, her silver hair shimmering in the low light of the study.

“And you fear what that means.”

I hesitated.

“What if she--“ The words stuck in my throat.

“What if she doesn’t?” Maris countered.

“Have you considered that possibility?”

I frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve watched you both. The way she looks at you when you’re not watching. The smile that lights her face when you enter a room.” Maris leaned forward, her expression warm.

“Give her the time she needs. But don’t give up hope.”

A flicker of light caught my eye.

One of my guards stood at attention, his armor gleaming like polished pearl.

“Your Majesty. The human woman wishes to walk the grounds.”

My chest tightened.

What was she looking for?

What did she need?

“Have someone watch over her.”

Lucy stepped around him before he could move, her arms crossed.

“I don’t know what you just said, but if you’re assigning me a babysitter, it’s not necessary.”

Her gaze flicked between me and the guard, her lips pursed.

“I’m safe here, aren’t I? Within the storm wall?”

She exhaled, then---surprisingly---smiled.

A small, knowing smile.

“As you wish, mighty Storm King.”

Then she rose onto her toes and pressed a soft kiss to my mouth.

Heat bloomed where her lips touched mine, a jolt running through him.

It was over too quickly---before I could deepen it, before I could curl my fingers into her hair and pull her closer.

She slipped away, moving past the guard with effortless grace, leaving me standing there like a fool.

I sank back into my chair, fingers brushing my lips.

Maris smirked.

“You’ve got it bad.”

“I know.” I dropped my hand.

“What am I going to do?”

She gestured at the paperwork strewn across my desk.

“Your job. While thinking about her every second, of course.”

I shot her a glare, but she only laughed.

The afternoon dragged on.

I read reports without absorbing them, signed documents I barely saw.

Outside, the city pulsed with life---the distant hum of water currents through the palace walls, the faint chime of bells from the market district, the occasional boom of waves against the storm wall.

But my thoughts remained with Lucy.

Where was she?

What was she seeing?

I wanted to be the one showing her the wonders of my world.

More than that, I wanted to know what this meant.

Could we find a way forward together?

Or would duty tear us apart?

A soft tap at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Your Majesty?”

I looked up to find Naia in the doorway.

“Yes?”

“Lady Lucy has returned to her chambers.”

My heart leaped.

“Thank you.”

I found her waiting in the dining room, the nearly sheer foam green of her skirts offering a tantalizing glimpse of her legs.

She was trying to kill me.

She offered me a small, almost shy smile as I took my seat.

The food before us was exquisite---sweet fruits bursting with juice, tender fish seasoned with fragrant spices, delicate pastries layered with honey and cream---but I couldn’t taste any of it.

Lucy picked at her meal, lost in thought.

Then she set down her fork.

“Would you...” She exhaled, then met my gaze.

“Would you dance with me again?”

My pulse stuttered.

“Anything you want.”

I took her hand, leading her to the center of the room.

This was different from the harvest dance---slower, more intimate.

Her body nestled into mine, her warmth seeping into me as we swayed together.

“I’ve been thinking,” she murmured against my chest.

I forced my breath to stay even.

“Oh?”

“About everything. My mission. You. Our worlds.” She tilted her face up to mine, her lips parted.

“About what I want.”

Every muscle in my body tensed, bracing for the blow I knew was coming.

Then Lucy rose on her toes and kissed me---hard and deep and hungry.

My world tilted.

“I don’t want to wait anymore,” she breathed against my lips.

I pulled back, searching her face.

“What?”

A wicked grin spread across her face.

“I’d like to continue what we started on our picnic.”

Joy exploded in my chest.

With a very undignified whoop, I swept her into my arms.

Her laugh echoed through the halls as I carried her toward my chambers, my heart soaring with the knowledge that she had chosen me.