Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“You’ll need to eat.” Maeve grabs the edge of the boat and starts pushing it into the water. “I suppose you’ll have to feed on me, unless you’re keen on taking a swim and attempting to hunt some deepwater predator.”
The thought makes me shudder. On land, there’s a solid chance that I am the biggest, baddest predator around. And if I’m not, I’m more than capable of surviving most violent encounters. In the water? It’s a different story altogether. I’m fighting not only the thing that wants to tear me to shreds but also my lungs’ capacity to hold air. The poor odds of surviving keep me up at night.
Besides, I do like the thought of feeding on this selkie. My bite is orgasmic. Within seconds, she’ll be coming apart in my arms, shuddering sweetly and whimpering through her release. The image washes away some of the coldness that has invaded my bones at the thought of getting in that damn boat.
Yes, seducing her will pass the time nicely.
“Lizzie.” Maeve’s voice is carefully neutral. “Your eyes are glowing red. It’s really creepy.”
Fuck. I didn’t mean to draw my power around me. It’s been too long since I’ve taken a lover, and being in close proximity to Evelyn has me tightly wound. I might have fed on several of the willing crew members and enjoyed their pleasure that way, but despite several offers, I haven’t taken any of them to bed. Maybe I should have. Maybe if I had, I wouldn’t be panting after this complicated, strange woman.
Or maybe you’re just terrified of the sea and losing control.
I smother the nasty little voice. I am not afraid. I am logically and understandably wary. It’s a completely different emotion. “My eyes going crimson is a side effect. Don’t be alarmed.” I take a breath and make an effort to shield myself. I can’t quite tuck my powers away neatly; they’re thrashing inside me, wanting to wrap around this pretty woman and show her exactly what I’m capable of. I’ve never had this kind of control problem before, but I’ve never climbed aboard a death trap and hoped for the best. “Let’s go.” Before I give up on this reckless plan and hurry back to Nox and resign myself to spending years not chasing the Crimson Hag.
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
I help to push the boat deeper. Water pours into my boots and makes my pants cling to my legs. The sky is lightening steadily, but it’s as if the rising sun doesn’t penetrate. I’m now waist-deep in the water, and I can’t see more than an inch past the surface.
“That’s far enough.” Maeve hauls herself easily over the edge.
I almost turn around and flee back to shore. I actually shift back on my heels to do it. I desperately don’t want to get on this boat and sail off to drown in pursuit of a selkie skin and jewels I’m not even sure I care about any longer. Not enough to die for them.
But going back means facing Evelyn again, means seeing how damned happy she is, how much she’s bought into this new life with her new love and her new purpose. To see the barely veiled pity in her eyes when she looks at me.
No way to go but forward.
I grit my teeth and drag my body over the edge of the boat, making it sway violently. My stomach surges into my throat, but Maeve doesn’t seem concerned in the least. She’s in the process of getting the sail exactly where she seems to want it. It’s much easier to focus on her than on the fear harshly demanding I return to shore.
Yes, I’ll just . . . focus on Maeve. It’s surprisingly easy. The strength in her soft body intrigues me. Most shifters I’ve encountered are significantly stronger than they look, but shifting is part of them, something that can’t be stolen as easily as one steals a pelt. Obviously Maeve maintains some benefits of her magic, even if she’s lost her ability to shift.
“Sit there out of the way and I’ll get us going.”
I almost obey but catch myself before I move an inch. “I know how to sail.” At least in theory.
The look she gives me is disbelieving enough to spark my pride. Maeve shakes her head. “I was on the Audacity. I know exactly how much sailing you’re capable of. This will go faster if you stay out of my way.”
Despite the irritation that arises in the wake of her words, once again I can’t help but admire the steel in her spine. It flickers before me, peeking out between the self-pity and the softness. I don’t understand the self-pity. Yes, she lost something incredibly valuable, but it’s a waste of time and energy to sit around crying. This person who stole from her is hardly going to bring it back just because she feels bad. With every day she spends weeping, her pelt moves farther and farther from her.