Page 15 of Blood on the Tide

Three days. She said that before, but the reality of that timeline hadn’t quite registered.

I turn and look at the boat that Maeve wants us to spend three days on. It’s not quite as small as I first thought. In addition to the small sail and oars, there’s a little space to sleep and take shelter in from the weather at the back of it.

Still... three days. In a best-case scenario.

I don’t want to admit that I’ve gotten soft while traveling on the Audacity. The pocket realm sometimes made me forget that I was even on a ship. There will be no forgetting on this boat. More than that, even on the Audacity, I never quite forgot my fear of the sea.

How many storms have we weathered? At least a dozen, and I’ve white-knuckled my way through every single one while hiding in my cabin, certain I could hear the crash of the waves even through the barrier of the pocket dimension. There will be no hiding if we’re caught in one while sailing this contraption. The waves won’t even have to sink us—if it rains hard enough, it will fill the hull and we’ll sink. That’s the problem with the sea. There’s too many fucking ways to die and nowhere near enough methods to stay alive.

“We’re going to die,” I say flatly.

“There’s no need to be dramatic. It’s only until we reach the next island.” Maeve tosses the bag she obviously had stashed somewhere close onto the boat with an ease that nearly distracts me from the feeling twisting my guts into knots. “When we get there, we’ll jump on a trade ship and head wherever Bronagh has gone to. He’ll have stopped in Khollu first, regardless, because that’s where he lives. We’ll find more information when we get there, because if there’s one thing Bronagh loves, it’s to brag to anyone who’ll stand still long enough to let him.”

If we’re forced into close proximity for days on end, maybe I’ll get the story of how she lost her skin in the first place. I know how the old tales say it’s done. A sailor waits and watches for a selkie to come ashore and shed their skin so they can sun themself in their human form. Then he steals the skin and forces that selkie to be his wife.

But Maeve lives on this island. Not in the sea. She’s hardly leaving her valued other self lying around to be picked up by an enterprising sailor. Something else must have happened. Perhaps he was a lover. The thought rankles, and I easily shove it aside. What do I care about this woman’s past lovers? I might be interested in her, but it’s a passing thing. At the end of this, when I find my family jewels and a portal that will take me closer to home, I’ll be gone.

And I’m never coming back to this godsdamned place.

Something twinges in my chest at the thought. I absently rub the back of my hand over my sternum. “There’s one further complication.”

“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.”

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