Page 26 of Blood on the Tide

I’ll need to eat soon, too. It’s been long enough since I bit Maeve that hunger is a hollow pit inside me and creates a fine tremor in my hands. I had initially planned on finding someone in the village to feed from, but as I pull my shirt over my head and hear Maeve’s sharp inhale...

The only person I’ll be feeding on is this adorable little selkie.

I’m willing to go hungry for a little while—until she comes to me. In the meantime, there’s no reason not to hedge my bets a little, to press my fingers to the scale in my favor. I peel off my pants and do away with my undergarments. I glance at Maeve out of the corner of my eye to find her pale skin has turned a deep crimson.

Oh yes, she’s watching.

I almost forget about the show I’m putting on as I slip into the hot water. I don’t mean to let out a little moan of pure pleasure, but there’s nothing like a hot bath after a hard journey. I dip under the water and scrub my fingers through my hair. The salt water feels like it’s crusted on my skin and into the strands, and I forget all about seduction as I grab the soap and begin to scrub it from my skin.

As I lift my hands to my hair, Maeve’s voice sounds from behind me. “Let me.”

I was so distracted, I hadn’t noticed her moving closer. That should concern me, but concern feels very far away as I hand her the soap and she sets to work washing my hair. Her touch is light yet firm, and if I didn’t know better, I would think that she’s merely doing a favor for a friend.

I do know better, though. My power is in the blood, and I can practically feel her racing heart against my palm, can sense the blood gathering as her desire grows, can hear her quickened breathing that she tries to suppress as she massages my scalp.

Patience is the only virtue I acknowledge, and it’s the only thing keeping me from pulling her into the tub with me to see what we can do about this mutual attraction. If Maeve was anyone else... But she’s not anyone else. She’ll come to me on her own, and when she does, this wanting will be worth the reward of having her in my bed.

Even so, desire is a slow pulse inside me. Neither of us rushes, and Maeve certainly takes her time ensuring that every inch of my scalp and hair is clean. True to the innkeeper’s promise, whatever spell the tub contains keeps the water crystal clear and at a perfect temperature. I could stay in here for hours, but as much as I’m enjoying a return of creature comforts, I fully intend to reciprocate the favor Maeve bestowed on me.

I rise, droplets spilling down my naked body. Her sharp inhale is music to my ears. I hold out a hand. “Would you pass me a towel?”

Maeve stares for several beats too long before she gives herself a shake. “A towel. Of course.” She grabs one of the fluffy towels we’ve been provided and passes it to me.

“Your turn.” I twist away and begin drying myself off. As I suspected, it takes her a little while to work up the courage to strip, even though I’m not actively watching her. That doesn’t mean I’m not achingly aware of the slide of cloth against her skin and the soft footsteps as she moves to the bath and slips inside.

Her little moan has me turning, an offer to wash all of her on the tip of my tongue. There’s a knock on the door before I have a chance to. I swallow down a curse and wrap the towel around me to answer it.

A short woman—obviously related to the innkeeper, judging by her stout figure, pale skin, and deep green curls—stands there with a bag. She holds it up. “Here you go. There’ll be food served downstairs in about an hour.”

“Noted.” I take the bag, finding it heavier than I expected. I’m aware of Maeve listening, so I clear my throat. “Uh, thanks.” I close the door and waste no time digging through the bag. There’s two sets of clothing for each of us, and the sizing looks pretty accurate. “Who is this guy?”

“He’s with the rebellion.” Maeve rests her head on the side of the tub. “Most people I send north go straight to Khollu—to Ralph—and the reverse is true with him sending folks south through Viedna.”

I figured it was something like that, but it’s still a hell of a lot of faith to place in a near stranger. “That doesn’t change the fact that we’re fucked when it comes to resupplying.”

“Have a little faith, Lizzie.” Her eyes slide shut. “Why don’t you get dressed and go explore the village? It will burn off some of that nervous energy.”

“I don’t have nervous energy.”

“You won’t after you take a walk. Try not to draw any attention to yourself.”

I glare at the clear dismissal. One step forward, two steps sideways. She truly is cagey, but I don’t hold it against her. Not when I’m enjoying this strange little dance we’re doing, circling each other warily. I permit myself a small smile. “Trying to get rid of me so fast?”

I should have known better than to attempt to look my fill of her. The moment I do, I forget how to breathe entirely. This woman was made for the water. The bath barely covers her large breasts, and I’m delighted to discover that her freckles seem to extend over her entire body. I have the overwhelming desire to trace them with my tongue. Her curly hair spreads around her like particularly pretty seaweed. I’ve always seen selkies depicted as lean, pale skinned, and dark haired. I much prefer Maeve to those paintings.

Her blush spreads from her upper chest over her throat and takes up residence in her round cheeks. She holds my gaze as I stand there, only a towel, some water, and a crossable distance between us. The moment spins out, and I find myself holding my breath, waiting for her to invite me back into the bath.

But when she speaks, it’s to reiterate her request. “Please, Lizzie. I just... I need a minute. Several minutes.”

Truth be told, after being trapped in a small space for nearly a week, almost dying in a storm, and finally being clean, I do need to stretch my legs. Just a little. I dig through the bag to find a pair of pants and a tunic-like shirt. There are even boots. The innkeeper truly did think of everything.

Even so, I don’t want Maeve to get the wrong idea. I’ll allow a little distance—for now. I pause with my hand on the doorknob. “This thing between us isn’t over.”

Her smile is a little shy and a little wicked. “I know.”

chapter 13

Maeve

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