She stepped involuntarily towards the door, angry heat flushing through her body as her heartbeat sped up. What a fool, giving up so much for a man who didn't even notice. She had the door open and was halfway into the street when Cormac gripped her arm tightly.
“Lisbetta, wait,” he said desperately. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset ye. I just don't want ye to ever feel trapped here, or like ye have no choice. I never want to hold ye against yer will.”
One foot out of the door and one still inside, she twisted around to look up at him. His eyes were bright as he stared down at her.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I never expected this sort of life. It's all still so new and overwhelming. But I want you to know that I do choose to stay here. With you.”
Cormac stepped closer, one hand reaching out towards her face, but he didn't quite touch her.
“Are ye sure?” he asked, his voice husky.
She nodded, finding it hard to speak. “I love you, Cormac King.”
He grabbed her in his arms, swirling her out onto the street. He kissed her hard, salty tears on both their faces as they clung on to each other.
“I love you,” he murmured against her face, then kissed her again.
Lisbetta didn't know how long they stood there, wrapped tightly around each other, the smell of the sea in the air and the bustle of the street continuing around them. Here on land, in a world she barely knew, she had finally come home.
Even the greatest kingdoms have a dark history… Dive into the past of Lisbetta’s kingdom in the free prequel novella, Lady of the Icy Shores. Exclusively available to download here.
And don’t forget to sign up for the mailing list! Lisbetta and Cormac’s story continues in Book 2, Kingdom of the Sea, due out early 2018. Newsletter subscribers will hear about it first!
The Wild and Lonely Sea Page 14