by S Lawrence
“Goodnight, Fallon.” I can hear the grinding of his teeth from across the room and have to fight a smile.
“Goodnight,” he growls through clenched teeth.
I climb into the bed and realize my mistake as I settle on the pillow that smells like him. Curling on my side, I try to close my eyes but when I do, I imagine him here in the bed. I snap them open. He has blown out the lamps, but the moonlight is bright and there across the room is my own torture.
He has taken off...everything. I swallow. Damn, he is beautiful. His back is to me, and the scars are silver in the light. There are two dimples right at the base of his back, and he has an ass that begs to be touched. I’m staring at it when he turns around from the windows and I want to whimper.
He looks right at me and smiles before lying down on the couch and pulling the quilt barely over him. His arm goes under his head, and he closes his eyes. I want to kill him. Murder. Instead, I roll over and face the wall, not bothering to keep the covers over me. Two can play this game. The shirt has ridden up some, and half my ass is now out in the air.
I hear him sigh and smile into the pillow as I drag his scent deep into my lungs.
Just that smell and my imagination is enough to make my body tighten. I shift my legs, looking for any kind of relief.
I could just... I turn my head to find he is looking right at me... Never mind.
“Don’t even think about it, girl.” I narrow my eyes and roll to face him once again.
“This is your fault.” I raise my eyebrows. A dare.
“My fault?” I nod. “Because I was trying to give you time to think about this decision? Because there is no going back once you do. Do you understand that, Reyna?” He sighs, and I feel my anger flare to life.
“Just where do you think I’m going to go back to, Fallon?” I sit up, my chest heaving. “I have nothing and no one to go to.”
“We don’t want to be your only choice. You can stay with us without being with us. Or we will get you someplace safe and get you settled, if you don’t choose us. You have options.”
We stare at each other in the darkness. His eyes are filled with sadness and understanding. I wonder what he sees in mine. I twist the soft worn fabric in my hand as I fight to understand my new life.
“Reyna.” Just my name whispered quietly in the darkened room, and something in me breaks, or maybe is freed. It isn’t a question or an admonishment; it is just a simple acceptance.
“Fallon. I’m sorry but I can’t decide anything right now.” I shake my head and look down at my fingers before I continue. “It’s been a couple days. I can still count the time since I lost my entire world in hours, and no matter how much I want you or any of the others, it wouldn’t be fair to any of us for me to say yes. Because when the shock wears off, I could change my mind.” I look up when I hear the rustling of his covers and I rush to continue. “It could be the same instance in reverse if I choose no. Then what? Regret for the rest of my life? Not only for what I might have lost personally but…” I jerk my head at the box. “If, and I do mean if, I’m some important person meant to save the world from some unknown danger and I choose for you to let me go and ignore that destiny, then I could endanger everyone.”
I shrug and my hands turn up. I drag my nails over my palms while I silently scream for help. He’s on his feet in the blink of an eye, the quilt wrapped around his waist, and before I can say a word, he’s across the room.
He falls to his knees, and his hands cover my own. I look into his eyes and I feel my breath catch. I know in that very instant this man will always be at my side, no matter what.
“Stay.” He shakes his head as I start to speak. “As our friend. We will help you find out what is in the box and if you have some amazing destiny.”
“Why would you do that? Why would all of you do it?” It’s his turn to shrug.
‘They are good men. Men you can trust.’ The words float through my mind, and I don’t know if I heard them or thought them.
He starts to stand, but I grab his hand and he pauses looking at my face. “I have no right to ask, but could you stay here? Just sleep beside me. I…” I don’t finish. I don’t know how to explain that I want him near, even if I don’t know what I want.
He nods, and I scoot over to the wall. He lays down on top of my covers, and I smile in the darkness as he adjusts his own blanket and I try not to think about him nude under it. My heart might be confused, but my body knows what it wants. If only the two were so intertwined.
Chapter 24
FALLON
She has stolen my soul.
I lay staring at the ceiling, every muscle tight, every nerve aware of her body beside mine. Her breathing has deepened and slowed finally, and I smile as I feel her body slowly melt as sleep finally drags her under.
That smile disappears as she immediately rolls my way. Her arm slides over my stomach and her face presses into my side as she curls into me.
This night will be worse than any lashing.
Slowly, I move my hand from under my head and let my arm come down. I rub strands of her wild hair between my fingers as I move it away from her face.
She looks even younger, more innocent, in sleep, and my stomach clenches. I know too well what would’ve happened to her if she had been in her home when the King had arrived.
It would have been her screams that filled the air. If she had been lucky, he wouldn’t have kept her alive. Someone has driven him to hunt for what is buried in the ice.
The news that he is burning villages all along the coast worries me. I fear he has heard the story of the one who will wield the power. It can’t be him. That is my truth; that and Reyna will be the one to rule.
My brothers and I will stop at nothing to help her reach that power first. We can’t let the King get to it or her.
I look at her face, so peaceful in sleep, and I bend my own close to her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
I long to taste her lips but I refuse to push her, so instead I listen to her breaths and let my mind try to puzzle out our next move. We must get supplies tomorrow and then after that, we must head north. I’ll send her to another’s ship when we raise anchor.
Tonight is all I have is my last thought before sleep pulls me under.
I wake hours later, the light just beginning to brighten in the room. My arm is asleep, and she is sprawled three-fourths of the way over me. Her breath is tickling over my chest. The covers have shifted in the night, and as I reach to try to pull them back up, she moves her hand, sliding over my stomach as she makes a sleepy noise.
“Reyna.” I say her name low, trying not to startle her.
“Hmm.” She rubs her cheek over my skin as she turns her face up.
“Reyna, the covers.” She blinks at me before her eyes glide over me, stopping as she reaches where her hand currently lays. Those eyes widen as they focus on what lies just beyond her hand.
“Oh. I…” She begins to push herself away. “Sorry.” I grab her, pulling her up.
“No need. Did you sleep okay?” She nods. “Good morning.” That earns me a smile.
“Good morning.” She smiles then pushes up more until she presses her lips against mine.
I could grow very addicted to this and her. “Today, some of the men will go ashore to get supplies while the rest of the ships scatter a bit.”
“Why split up?” She starts to sit up, pushing her mass of hair away from her face.
I let her go and try not to study the dark outline of her body beneath the thin material of the shirt.
“Fallon?” I blink at her, and she begins to smile.
What had she asked? “Ah, right. We split up to make it harder for the King to find us.” She nods, even though her pulse beats a little faster along her neck. She’s right to be frightened. “You can choose another ship to spend time on today.”
Frowning, she climbs over me and out of the bed, then paces away. I sit up and pull the blanket around me before standing
up and crossing to where I dropped my pants last night.
“Are you mad?” The words are said so low I almost didn’t hear them over the rustle of fabric. I drop the blanket, grabbing my pants from the floor and pulling them on. I start toward her as I’m buttoning my pants.
I reach out, thinking to grab her and force her to look at me, but stop and instead I step around her. I wait until she finally looks up at my face, so she can see the truth in my answer.
“No. I just want, we all want you to get to know us. I’ve had you to myself for days now. I figured it was time to share you with the others.” I watch as her tense muscles relax.
“I’m sorry. I overreacted.”
I shake my head. “Do not apologize.” I reach out with my finger, tracing over her cheek. “Just know everything is your choice.”
She nods.
A whistle sounds before she can say anything. “Why don’t you get dressed and then join me by the wheel?” Leaning in, I kiss her lightly on her dark pink lips and step away before I lose myself in her.
I look back as I cross the threshold. She is bent low over the things brought to her last night. Pulling the door behind me, I commit the image of her to memory. Climbing the stairs, I make my way to the wheel and look at my brother’s ships that have drawn close. The ropes to tie us together are being cast over as I watch.
Looking from one side to another, I see Hagen and Wilder’s ships are closest. Each is waiting to come aboard, with Lash and Cyder’s just beyond them. In minutes, they are aboard. We stand in a semi-circle, waiting. On her.
The door opens, and we all turn. She is stunning and surprising. She has ignored all of the beautiful dresses and instead is dressed in a very snug pair of pants and a loose fitting top. The pants leave little to the imagination. I look at the others, and they are not hiding their shock or interest.
“Reyna.” Wilder is the first to find his tongue.
She smiles at him before turning it on the rest of us. It could be a powerful weapon, if she so chose.
Hagen lowers his head when her eyes land on him, just a slow nod, but I watch as her interest flares. So... It will be Hagen she visits next.
“I told Reyna about our thoughts on her spending time with each of us. She has agreed.” I look at Hagen, who is looking at Reyna.
“Have you made your decision?” Hagen sounds confident in her answer.
“I have…” She pauses, smiling at him. “I choose Wilder.”
Cyder laughs, throwing his head back. Wilder looks shocked, and Lash fights a smile. I just shake my head. The girl is learning us already. She is learning her power, and so are we all.
Hagen just smiles, winking at her before he turns and grabs the rope to swing across to Wilder’s boat and then cross to his own.
“Did I make him angry?” Her eyes are still on him as he reaches his deck and turns, bowing gallantly.
“No. Hagen just has a job to do and if you aren’t going with him, he has no reason to wait.” She looks at me, still unsure. “I promise, Reyna.”
She glances around, and the others nod. “Okay, I just... I’m sorry… I was just joking. Maybe I shouldn’t have.”
“Of course, you can.” Wilder steps in front of her, drawing her focus. “You must be yourself. Just as we must be. If not, this won’t work.”
He offers her his hand, which she takes instantly. He turns to lead her to the rail, but she pauses and looks at me. I nod and smile. Pulling free, she comes to me, grabbing me and pulling me down. She kisses me deeply before breaking away. She joins Wilder at the rail, and he smiles, holding out his hand once more.
She looks back as she takes it, looks at all of our faces before nodding and stepping up, wrapping the rope around her forearm, readying herself for the swing.
She has been watching and learning more than I thought. Smart girl.
Wilder looks at me, and I nod.
A true queen.
Chapter 25
REYNA
I knew I hadn’t hurt his feelings, not Hagen. I’ve met men like him before in the pub, quiet but dangerous to a woman. Dangerous to this woman. Wilder stands on the deck waiting for me to step down, but I stand balanced on the rail holding the rope for a moment, the wind blowing my hair as I look around then down.
Looking to the side, I see them quickly lay the plank across for Liam who is losing his mind a bit on the other ship. He is across in seconds and at my side.
The water rolls against the ship, and for a moment, I feel my body sway before I steady myself. Raising my face to the sun, I slowly look around me. They are all staring at me, not just my captains but the rest of the crews also.
My captains. I like the sound of that. I grin at them all and jump down.
“I know Hagen has a job, but Fallon had mentioned I might want to learn to swim if I’m going to be staying with you.”
Wilder nods. “It would be a good idea. I could take us closer to shore. There is a cove not too far up the coast, if you really want to learn.”
“It scares me, the water, but this is my life now.”
“Only if you want it to be.” He watches me closely.
“Oh, I know. Fallon explained what you all had decided.” I raise my brow, silently asking for his thoughts.
“It’s an interesting proposition.” He says nothing more. For now.
“It is indeed.”
He holds his arm out, and I take it, letting him lead me away from the rail and the crew that is still watching me with interest. I look at each man we pass, trying to find my ally on this ship. He is heading straight to the captain’s quarters. A man stands to the right of the door, waiting on Wilder, the first mate possibly. There is a man that reminds me of this one on Fallon’s ship, and he is the first mate.
“Heading, Captain?”
“Take us north along the coast until we get close to Black Rock Cove. The Bonreeon wishes to learn to swim.” Wilder smiles at me and the man bows his head...to me.
“What does that mean… Bonreeon?” I ask after he moves away.
Wilder opens the door, holding it wide for me to enter. I do, still waiting for his answer.
“When I was told the story of the battle between the old gods by the old man, he told me of the one that would come. He called her that. It means queen in old Irish.” He watches for my reaction.
“I am no queen.” The very idea is ludicrous. Me, an orphan girl who worked in a pub, a queen? Not only that but a queen of what?
“You could be, if you are the woman from the story. I believe you are. So does Fallon.” He’s still watching me closely.
“And the others?” I know the answer. Hagen might want me to stay, but it has nothing to do with me being a queen. Cyder is hard to read, easy to laughter but underneath, a killer if I’ve ever seen one. Lash is the easiest to read; he is looking for love, whether he knows it or not. Fallon might want me to wield the power to save the world, if the story is true, but he is also searching for family.
“They all believe.” He lies smoothly, but his face tells me how much he hated doing it.
“Hmmm...” is all the reply he’s going to get from me right now. Instead I look around.
“Just like on the Rose, consider this room yours.” He stands back as I walk slowly around the room, letting my fingers slide softly over his things. Beautiful old books, some damaged, some look like they are almost new. How is that possible?
“Where did you find them all?” I pick one up, opening it slowly, listening to the sound of the spine cracking. I smell the most amazing smell coming from it. “I had a stash of books hidden in the forest.”
“Why would you have to hide them?” He frowns at me.
“They were about the old gods.” A simple sentence that says so much more.
“I see. Well, if you look in that trunk, you might find something you like.” He points to the corner near the bed.
The room is so different from Fallon’s. The walls are painted with beautiful scenes from book
s, I’m sure. Scenes of a world that no longer exists or maybe never did. Rich bold-colored fabrics cover the bed and the windows. He has a hammock hanging from the ceiling made from a tapestry depicting an ancient castle and unicorn.
“Where did you find all of these things?” I point at the hammock and a lantern made of some metal but designed with intricate patterns.
“I found most in the abandoned city that we floated to after we were thrown away.” He can’t hide the anger or hurt in his voice.
“I’m sorry for bringing it up.”
He shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter; it was a long time ago.”
I feel the ship begin to move and trepidation runs through my body. Swimming. In the water. In the sea.
They come on the tides, and death comes with them.
I can’t keep the mantra from playing through my head. The water terrifies me. I can hear my mother’s screams. A loud bark startles me, and Wilder opens the door. Liam bounds through the opening, slowing only to look hard at Wilder, who holds his hands up in surrender before coming to me.
Dropping down to the floor, I circle his neck with my arms. “I’m sorry. I forgot all about you, didn’t I?” He growls softly but licks at me, forgiving me instantly. “I have to go in the water today. I’m scared, Liam.” He whimpers as he sits and then lays across my legs. “Will you stay with me?”
He growls then lowers his head.
“We will be there within the hour.” Wilder sits on an overstuffed pillow on the floor across from me, looking at me closely. “We need to find something for you to swim in.”
Looking down at the pants, I have to agree, but what? He stands, moves to the door, and throws it open.
“David,” he calls out, and I hear feet moving over the deck rapidly.
“Sir.” A young man of slight build is standing as tall and straight as he can in front of his captain.
“I need a pair of your sleeping clothes.” The man frowns then looks over at me and frowns harder but spins and rushes off to comply. “I think we can make them work.”