Page 59 of The Dark, Dead, Deep

I had no idea what he meant by that. My fists clenched, and I turned to Shay, ready to unleash a storm. He had proclaimed that I was his.

Perhaps he was in on the plan too—to have me belong to all of them. Whether to protect me, get out of an uncomfortable situation, or for some other banal reason, I had no intention of belonging to anyone. Least of all a man that flirted with everything that moved.

“Come on,” Shay growled, his braids jostling with annoyance. “It’s time to meet Cormac on the other side of the pass.”

We didn’t reach the shore until midday, when the sun beat down on top of our heads through the trees, and my skin began to prickle and burn.

“I don’t know how you all do it,” I grumbled as I pulled my braid off my neck. My pale hair had grown frizzy once it was outside of the water. “It’s much easier to move underwater. Every step here is just so heavy.”

Rainn chuckled and opened his mouth to speak.

I waved my finger in his direction. “If you make a comment about my weight, I will end you.”

Rainn locked his lips and pretended to throw away the key.

I turned to Tormalugh, deciding to put aside my anger for a moment. “Is it easier to travel long distances on four legs?” I asked.

The kelpie shrugged. “I can only use my horse form in or around the water,” he said. “It is said that we developed the skill to be able to lure prey into the depths.”

“Prey?” I wondered.

The kelpie nodded, his dark eyes unfathomable. “Yes. Kelpies are a Sídhe that feeds on fear. Pulling a creature beneath the waves when they cannot breathe below the surface is said to create a moment of such sheer terror that one of my kind would only need to feed once a year.”

My eyes widened, and my heart skipped a beat. “Oh.” I exhaled, willing the muscles in my face to affect the same disinterest that Tormalugh seemed to hold for the subject. “That’s how you feed then?” I cleared my throat.

The kelpie slanted a look my way. “There are many ways to experience fear,” he said cryptically.

“One glare from you, Tor. That’s all it takes.” Rainn chuckled and slung his arm over Tormalugh’s shoulders. The kelpie ducked his head before glaring at the silver-haired male.

“Do I frighten you, selkie?” Tormalugh purred.

Rainn rolled his eyes. “Selkies are a hardy Sídhe, to be sure,” he said, pulling Tormalugh closer.

“Kelpies may have enchantments that can muddle the mind, but the selkie folk are immune to all that bullshit.” He winked.

My eyes flicked between them.

“Scared to ask about our magic, lass?” Rainn grinned.

“I’m scared you’ll take any questions as an invitation to keep talking,” I said dryly.

Tormalugh chuffed a laugh. “He doesn’t need an invitation. He loves the sound of his own voice.”

“To be sure.” I nodded.

Rainn pushed away from the Kelpie Prince. “I’ve never been so insulted.” His hand fluttered to his chest.

Tormalugh snorted. The sound was the same in his two-legged form as when he was a horse.

The thought made me grin.

I squinted ahead of the path, but Shay was too far along to see.

Both Rainn and Tormalugh followed my gaze and exchanged glances.

“Is he okay?” I wondered, waving a hand in front of me. “Shay didn’t seem to enjoy returning to his village.”

“Shay is the last in his bloodline,” Rainn said, the words reluctant as if he didn’t know how much to share. “Nymphs are elementals, and water nymphs are rare amongst their people. Shay is the only one that can breathe below the waves,” the selkie explained. “The village elders want him to settle down, marry, and father children that might share his abilities.”

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