Page 188 of Tiger's Voyage

I threaded my arm through Ren’s. “Come on. I’ll let you be blue.”

An hour later, Ren analyzed the board, slapped down a wild card, and placed his last train. “I win,” he announced.

“Not so fast. We need to count the score.”

“I think it should be obvious without counting that I win.”

“Not necessarily. I have the longest connection and big segments. You aren’t afraid to use your math skills, are you?”

“Are you implying that I cannot add?”

“No. But it’s been a long time since grammar school. Feel free to whap your paw against the table like a horse if you need to.” I grinned wickedly.

“Apparently, you need to be taught a lesson in respect.”

“Are you going to write a law against teasing theHigh Prince andProtector of the Mujulaain Kingdom?”

“That’sPrince and High Protector of the Mujulaain Empireand, yes, perhaps I should write a law.”

“And what would you do if I broke your law? Cut off my head?”

He smirked. “I was thinking more along the lines of devising a way to keep you from talking, but you might enjoy the punishment too much.” He rubbed his jaw. “I could throw you into the pool, I suppose.”

He smiled, but then his expression changed when the blood drained from my face. “What’s wrong, Kells?” Quickly, he slid the game board across the table and took my hand. The little train cars spun off the board every which way, messing up our scoring. “What is it?” he asked softly and stroked my cheek.

“I don’t know if I can ever go back into the water. I couldn’t even sit in the Jacuzzi last night. All I see is giant teeth coming after me. I had nightmares all night.”

“I’m sorry, myanmol moti. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No. Not really.” I sighed. “I’ll get over it eventually, I hope. I enjoyed diving before this happened.”

He nodded and stood, then held out his hand. Grinning slyly, he said, “Then perhaps your punishment should be cleaning up the game while I watch.”

“That’s a terrible punishment. A definite teasing deterrent.”

I began scooping the trains into their little bags, and despite his edict, he helped. My braid flopped over my shoulder as I bent to retrieve the box lid, and he tugged on it.

“You thought I wouldn’t notice?”

“I knew you probably would. I’m surprised you didn’t say anything about it last night.”

“I did notice but … I’m sorry, Kelsey. I shouldn’t have been so adamant about it before.” He twisted my hair ribbon around his finger thoughtfully. “When you cut your hair right after we broke up, I felt as if you were cutting away all your ties to me. When you and Nilima prepared to cut it again, I panicked. It was very difficult for me. I know it’s just in my mind, but I feel as if the long-haired version of you belongs to me, and the short-haired version belongs to Kishan.”

He sighed. “But your hair is attractive no matter which way you wear it, though I’ve always been fond of your braids.” He set the thick braid down and trailed his fingers from my jaw down the side of my neck then took a step closer. I stopped breathing, transfixed by the beautiful man intent on kissing me.

“Kelsey? Kelsey, where are you?” Kishan hollered as he leapt down the stairs and onto our deck.

“In here!” I shouted back with a panicky edge to my voice as I took a step away from Ren.

He ran over to my side, oblivious to the thick tension I felt with his brother, and pecked me on the cheek. “We’re almost there. Mr. Kadam wants us in the wheelhouse.”

Kishan took my hand to lead me from the room. Ren followed along behind us. I felt him watching me and tingling goose bumps shot down my arms. I listened for his footsteps, and he shot past us on the wide stairs.

As we walked around the outside deck to the wheelhouse, Ren asked, “Kishan, will you sleep in Kelsey’s room tonight?”

I peered at Ren who looked like he’d just swallowed something bitter.

Kishan openly gaped at his brother, then straightened and folded his arms across his chest suspiciously. “Why?”