Page 123 of Shadow Queen
Norah swam out farther, past the rock formation in the center and around to where the cave opened to the starry heavens. Rolling onto her back, she floated in peaceful bliss under the light of the night sky. She closed her eyes and breathed in a new energy.
How wonderful it would be to stay in this magical place, away from everything and everyone. She smiled, remembering Alexander telling her that no one came to the cave for fear of monsters lurking in the deep. She rolled and let her body sink down so only her eyes and nose rested above the surface. The edge of the water softly lapped against her lips, caressing them like a lover’s kiss. Perhaps the pool wanted her to stay. She could be its monster.
She glided quietly through the night like a serpent of the sea. Each stroke through the water brought her strength. Its power flowed through her—her power now—queen of the dark and the deep.
A disturbance in the air pulled her from her peace. Norah stilled, listening.
There it was again.
It had only been a stir, but she was one with this cavern now, and she felt it like thunder.
Someone was here.
She swam silently back to the center rock formation to investigate.
A man stood waist deep in the water, his back to her, and a wave of intrusion washed over her. If she were a monster, he’d be her first victim. She imagined it—slipping through the darkness under the still of the surface, coming up behind him, then reaching up and taking hold. She’d pull him down into her depths, and into the clutches of death. That’s how she’d welcome those who disturbed her.
She pulled her mind back from its murderous thoughts and scolded herself. She was spending too much time with Soren.
Norah watched this intruder from the shadows. But as she looked closer, her pulse quickened. She knew this man, and a smile came to her lips.Alexander. What was he doing here? Did he come often? He obviously hadn’t seen her clothing rolled up by the large rock to the side.
She slipped closer. The warm water rolled over her skin as she moved, and she felt every bit a prowling monster of the deep. It made her bolder.
Norah bit her lip, feeling mischievous. “Who disturbs my waters?” she called in a low voice.
He looked around with a start. Her voice had echoed through the chamber, not revealing her position. She watched him comb the cavern for her, but he couldn’t see her from her place among the shadows.
“Only another seeking the calm,” he called back. He turned, still searching, his back to her again.
She held her voice deeper, husky; her best serpent voice. “These are my waters.”
“I’ve not seen you here before,” he answered.
She grinned. He hadn’t recognized her voice. She moved from behind the rock formation, silently drawing closer. “Are you sure about that?” she called.
He spun to face her. She hung deep in the water, showing only her head. It took him a moment, but his eyes softened, and she flashed him a smile.
“Queen Norah?”
“No,” she said. “There’s no queen here.” Only a serpent of the deep. She came closer as he stepped farther into the water.
His eyes locked with hers. “Are you a phantom, then?” he asked. His voice was smooth and warm, like the water.
She rolled her lips together to hold her smile. “Perhaps I’m only in your mind.”
“You’re always in my mind,” he confessed, and a quiet settled around them. His admission sobered her.
This wasn’t a game.
“Are you still angry with me?” she asked, now more serious. They hadn’t spoken much in the past couple weeks. She’d felt a distance between them, a distance that grew with her every decision, her every action. And now, after the meeting with the council, and her employment of Soren to help solve the situation with the pirates, it felt like they were further than they’d ever been before.
He stepped farther into the water, not taking his eyes from her. Norah circled him. Was he wearing only his skin, like her? The thought stirred a heat in her stomach, but she pushed it down. She needed to leave.
“I could never stay angry with you. Surely you know this.”
She thought she did, but lately she wasn’t so certain.
He drifted closer, close enough for her to touch him. His nearness called to her, and before she could stop herself, she reached out and brushed his chest with her fingertips. Quickly realizing her mistake, she moved to pull back, but he caught her, covering her hand over his chest with his own.
