Page 4 of Journey to the Elderoak
Casimir tensed. “It means I’m responsible for keeping up with her training.”
“Sure, it does,” said Raine.
He stood from his seat, shaking his head and mumbling under his breath, as he left the dining quarters and ascended the stairs to the deck. He stepped into the night and made his way to the railing, leaning on his elbows and staring at the vast black ocean reflecting the innumerable stars overhead.
Why did he insist on going everywhere Ava went? Was it truly because of his role as her mentor? That was part of it. But the truth was he wanted to be near her. Needed to.
Someone approached from behind, but he didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. He’d recognize the smell of Ava’s lavender soap anywhere. She always smelled so fucking good.
Ava stopped beside him, staring out at the view. “The ocean is beautiful.”
“It is.”
They remained silent, listening to the soothing sound of the waves. Sporadic laughter erupted from below as the sailors drank the night away, trading stories and singing more of their seafaring songs. Ava was standing so close to him, their arms were almost touching, but neither of them moved or acknowledged the fact.
“Too bad you get seasick,” she continued.
“I’ll be fine.”
She shot him an annoyed look. “You know, you’ve been really irritable the last couple of days. Like extra Casimir-y.”
He turned toward her. “Extra Casimir-y? That’s a new one.”
“It seemed to fit. Why have you been so grouchy since we boarded the ship?”
He cleared his throat and searched her face. Her stunning green eyes were lit by the moonlight, framed by full lashes matching her strawberry blonde hair.
“Just a little back pain from sleeping on the floor,” he said. “I’m old, remember?”
She crossed her arms and looked up at him. “Right…”
A strand of hair came loose from her braid in the breeze, and it took every bit of strength not to reach for it and tuck it behind her ear. He was grouchy because he had to sleep alone in a room with her, his asshole best friend leaving them behind. With the woman who’d been driving him mad since the day they met. Who he wanted so fiercely it was as if he couldn’t breathe when she was near.
Ava shifted on her feet. “You can—I mean, if you want…sleep in the bed with me,” she blurted.
His eyes widened as he went still. Dammit, he wanted to. Of course he did. But when he’d been assigned to train her, he set boundaries for himself. While he flirted with her on occasion,he wasn’t going to make a move. Not yet. It was too soon and there was too much going on with the impending war. It would be a distraction for both of them.
But there was that fucking voice again in the back of his mind. The one that always seemed to laugh at his efforts to resist her. Reminding him it would be futile. That fate had other plans.
Ignoring it, he whispered hoarsely, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Right,” she said, fidgeting with her braid. “You’re right.”
Casimir studied her for a moment longer before clearing his throat. “Well…goodnight,” he said as he turned and headed to the cabin, cursing himself the entire way.
Ava groanedas she leaned over, hands on her knees, after finishing her morning laps. She closed her eyes, welcoming the breeze as it brought a tinge of cool air to her sweat-soaked face.
Steps sounded as Casimir approached, stopping before her.
“I can’t…believe…you’re making me…run on the ship,” she panted as she opened her eyes.
“I had to ensure we took advantage of the stairs.”
“I hate those stairs,” she said, rising.
“Wait until we get to Saxumdale. Everything is carved into the mountain. Stairs everywhere.”
“That means you’ll carry me, right?” She grinned.
