Page 26
THALIA
The sea glittered with starlight, waves rippling gently as we cut a path through uncharted waters beyond Pincher Isle. The cages containing bloody bait had been dropped an hour ago, and Freya sat at the stern, violin to her chin, playing a lilting melody to attract the natives of this stretch of ocean.
I was hopeful that we’d make contact soon, but in the meantime, I was content to simply be.
I leaned back against Vaarin, and he wrapped his arms around my waist. We’d spent too long in my quarters, not talking. My body was satiated yet ever hungry for his. This feeling, this sense of belonging was something novel, and it was both exhilarating and frightening because what if it went away? What if he took it away again?
“Thalia?” Vaarin rested his chin on my head. “What is it? What vexes you?”
“Nothing.”
His chest vibrated against my back. “You can’t lie to me now. Our connection is forged. I can feel your disquiet. Tell me.”
“I don’t want to lose this. Us. I…I’m scared.”
He held me tighter. “You will never lose me. I swear to you, Thalia. Only death will part us now.”
I turned swiftly in his arms and pressed my fingers to his lips. “Don’t. Don’t say that.”
He gently grasped my wrist. “I mean it, Thalia. I will never willingly leave your side.”
The tightness in my chest eased because I believed, of course I did. Then why did I feel as if I didn’t deserve this?
He cupped my face. “I know about your past. I learned how you were treated from speaking to some of the royal staff. You did not deserve to be ostracized, and yet your adopted mother insisted on it. I met her also.” He shuddered. “I was tempted to drown her.”
I bit back a surprised laugh. “She wasn’t all bad.”
“Really?” He arched a brow.
“Fine, she was a witch, but Bryony…” I exhaled past the weight that settled on my heart. “Bryony made up for all of it.”
He kissed my forehead. “I’m so sorry, Thalia. I cannot bring back your sister, but I can promise you that I will help you heal. I will remind you every day that you are worthy. That you are my chosen queen. And when we find your birth family, then I will accept them also. They will become my kin.”
But what if my birth family didn’t want me as their kin? No. I wouldn’t allow myself these negative thoughts.
I wrapped my arms around Vaarin and pressed my cheek to his chest. “Thank you.”
He kissed the top of my head. “I’m so grateful for this second chance with you.”
I drew back and tipped my face up to his. “What would you have done if I said no?”
He sighed, looking weary. “Well, in that case, I would have had no recourse but to stalk you until you changed your mind.”
“Really? Stalked me across the oceans?”
“I’d have no choice. You are my soul mate, after all. You carry a piece of me always.”
“You and your pretty words falling from your pretty lips.”
He arched a brow. “You think my lips are pretty?”
My gaze dropped to his mouth and lingered there. “Undeniably. And delicious.”
“Oh? I feel the same about your lips. I want to taste them right now.”
I offered him my mouth.
But he pressed his finger to it and slowly shook his head. “Not those lips.”
My face heated. “Oh…” Heat bloomed low in my belly, and his eyes darkened.
He leaned in so that his breath kissed my cheek. “I find I’m suddenly ravenous.”
“Movement starboard!” Barnaby cried. “Three incoming sea folk.”
My heart lurched. It was happening; the bait had worked. We were about to make contact. “Vaarin, I’m scared.”
He took my hand in his. “I know, but you are not alone on this journey. I am with you. Together we will weather any storm.”
I squeezed his hand, ready to embark on this new adventure with him. “Together.”
Continue your Lunaterra adventure and pick up The Promise Born by Jessica Cage.