Page 64 of Folds
“I need to know more about the mutiny.” He glances around. “Is there somewhere we can go? I’m sure my crew is staring at me wondering why I’m sitting in the middle of the bay not moving.”
“You should have brought some fishing nets.”
“Caught you without one, didn’t I?” The corner of his lip twitches, some of his swagger coming back. Usually, I’d take offense. It doesn’t feel like a threat coming from him.
Sighing, I slip into the water and swim to the front of the boat. “Throw the rope down, then pretend you’re rowing.”
He does as I ask and I wrap it around my arm. The dinghy isn’t heavy, even with him inside, and I tug it along toward the alcove. It’s not deep, but it’s enough to hide his boat and still have a place for him to sit on the flat rock. With anyone else, I’d be worried about being in such an enclosed space with only one exit. My powers to disintegrate his soul only work at night. With Loch, though, I didn’t even think twice.
“The gods are up to something,” I whisper as I haul him through the fissure in the cliff.
“What was that?” he calls, his voice echoing off the rocks.
“Nothing.”
I secure the rope around a stone, then dip deeper into the water. I’m sure he’s figured out what I am. Seeing the evidence splayed out in front of him instead of through the rippling water is different. He climbs out of the boat and spins slowly, surveying my temporary refuge.
He plants his fists on his hips and stares at me. “You going to get out or am I going in to get you?”
“Do you have any weapons?” I don’t actually think he’d stab me, but people do unpredictable things when they’re afraid.
“Of course I do.” His jaw tics, which doesn’t help. “I’m not going to hurt you, Keres.” His face softens. “Promise.”
“Don’t laugh, either,” I mutter, then shoo him away from the edge. He steps back slowly until his back hits the rock face. I contemplate asking him to turn around, but I fear that would be too much.
Getting onto land with a tail isn’t the easiest thing to do. Half the time I look like a beached whale, and I always feel like an awkward snake slithering around. To his credit, his face doesn’t change except for a slight widening of his eyes. I settle my tail in front of me and hunch over. His mouth parts and I swear there’s awe in his eyes. Wishful thinking.
His body sways toward me. “Does it hurt?”
“What? No. Why would it hurt?”
He shakes his head, then crouches as he stares at my lower half. “Do your scales get caught on anything?”
“No, they’re not...they...” I press my lips together. “Just feel them.”
He lifts an eyebrow and I sit back on my palms. When his finger brushes along one, a shiver rolls through me. I’ll blame it on the cold. The sun hasn’t crested over the cliffs hanging high above us. He murmurs under his breath, too quietly for me to hear. He scoots closer and I tip my head back while he continues exploring. When his hand brushes over my bare stomach, I jolt.
His gaze travels to my chest and his fingers follow. The scales there aren’t as thick and his touch burns its way through my body. He probably doesn’t understand what he’s doing to me. He swallows hard, then glances up.
“You’re—”
“Don’t. We’re not talking about it.”
He purses his lips. “Mesmerizing.”
chapter ten
LOCH
Somehow I convince Keres to spend the rest of the afternoon talking. I should be focusing on dealing with the crew and their ill-advised plan to overthrow me. I’d rather spend my time getting to know her.It’s a dangerous route to sail.
We avoid our pasts, neither willing to fully give up our secrets. Until she settles against me, my back to the rock and my arms wrapped around her. Her tail flips between my legs and I suck in a sharp breath. I’ve never met a mermaid, though I knew they existed. They’re solitary creatures who don’t mingle with humans. I don’t blame them.
Silence descends around us, broken only by the lapping of waves. Breaking it will send us back to reality. I’ll go back to my ship and deal with my crew. Most of them will probably be sent to the gods for judgment. It’ll be a bloodbath. Despite her already taking care of Nock, I don’t want her anywhere near me when things happen. I’ll have to let her go. I can’t risk triggering my curse. If I do, I’ll end up some hideous beast and she’d swim as far away as possible.
“How’d you get the ship?” she whispers.
I clear my throat. “She was a gift.” I’m not ready for her to ask from who. “How’d you end up with legs?”
