Page 12 of Lover from the Waves

“I should thank you, Kathryn,” he said. “You have given me some purpose, if only for a little while.”

She sensed deeper meaning in his words, but she dared not delve into it now; this was a small victory, but one she’d needed, and she wasn’t going to overshadow it by examining the attraction she and Ector felt toward one another. There’d be plenty of time later to consider the potential consequences of being alone with this kraken for several days.

Something…she found herself looking forward to.

* * *

The day passed incredibly slowly. It wasn’t for a lack of work; Kat had a steady stream of garments to mend, alter, and tailor on most days. The people of The Watch were hard on their clothing, especially those who were mated to kraken. Kathryn had seen an increase in the amount of torn clothes over the last couple years, and she suspected it was due to the kraken people’s…passionate nature. At first, she’d been concerned, but that concern had faded after noting that many of those women came into the shop carrying shredded clothing but wearing wide, satisfied smiles—even if their cheeks were often colored pink by embarrassment.

Usually that steady work helped the time pass. She guessed everything felt so sluggish today because of her anticipation; she had something to look forward to.

In a few short days, she’d be leaving The Watch.

It was as thrilling as it was terrifying. Though she’d explored, hunted, and camped in the surrounding jungle in her youth, she’d never been more than a couple days’ hike from The Watch. Now, this grand adventure with Ector awaited her. She was nervous about being alone with the kraken, mainly for the same reasons she’d been skittish with him on the beach—Ector looked at her as though she were a woman he desired, and Kathryn didn’t have a clue of how to respond to that.

When was the last time she’d felt like a woman? Not just a mother, a grandmother, or a friend, but awoman?

It was late in the evening by the time Kathryn decided to put down her work and head home.

The air outside was warm and muggy like it was most days, and the town was bathed in the orange glow of a sun fast sinking toward the horizon. The breeze that flowed through the streets was refreshing, but it never felt quite the same as the wind directly off the open sea—as though the buildings took something invigorating away from the air as the cut the wind. Boisterous voices and music spilled into the central plaza from the town hall, where many people gathered to drink and socialize most nights, and there were still some people in the streets. Kathryn offered everyone she saw a smile and a greeting as she passed them.

As she turned onto her road and her home came into sight, Kathryn arched a brow. The front window was lit from within. That likely meant one of her daughters had stopped by, but they usually let her know when they planned to visit. Suspicion tickled the back of her mind, but she shrugged it off, walked to the front door, and entered her home.

Kat’s eldest daughter, Allison, was sitting on one of the living room chairs, reading the book Kat had left out the night before. As Kathryn closed the front door, Allison turned to face her.

“Allison! What a lovely surprise.” Kathryn swept her eyes over the room—the incrediblyquietroom—which was lit by the gentle glow of a lantern and a few candles. “Where are the kids?”

“It’s just me,” Allison said, setting the book aside and rising from the chair. Her brown hair was gathered in a thick braid that lay over her shoulder.

Kathryn stilled as a spike of worry pierced her chest. It wasn’t like Allison to visit without her children, Colin and Emma. “Everything okay, Alli?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t— Oh!” Allison smiled and closed the distance between them, pulling Kathryn into a hug. “They’re fine. The hunters came home early today, so the kids are at home spending time with Jackson.” She pulled away and lowered her arms, her smile fading. “It’syouI’m worried about.”

Kathryn frowned. “Why are you worried about me? Is it because of yesterday? Did Charlotte make a big fuss about me leaving the festival early?”

“Well, she did mention that you were tired when I asked her where you were last night, but no, this isn’t about that. It’s about what I heard today.”

Kat shouldn’t have been surprised that word had traveled so quickly. Telling Allison had likely been Breckett’s last attempt to dissuade Kathryn from taking this trip. She couldn’t blame him, though she would rather have been the one to tell her daughters about it.

Kathryn stepped around her daughter and sat on one of the cushioned chairs. She gestured at the seat Allison had risen from. “Sit back down, Alli. What was it you heard?”

Allison moved to the chair, gathered her skirt close, and sat. Her dark brown eyes met Kat’s. “That you were taking a boat and leaving The Watch.”

“I am,” Kat said.

Allison stood so abruptly that she nearly knocked her chair over. “What?Are you insane?”

Kathryn scowled, leaned back in her chair, and folded her hands in her lap. “I’m thinking quite clearly, Allison.”

“B-But you’re—” Allison raised and hand and pinched the bridge of her nose as she closed her eyes, seeming to gather herself. After taking a deep breath, her arms fell to her sides and she opened her eyes again to look at Kathryn. “Mom, you can’t be serious. What you’re doing is dangerous. It’s—”

“It’s no different than when Jackson goes out to hunt.”

“But mom, you’re…old.”

Kathryn stared at her daughter, brows low, and mouth agape in utter disbelief. It wasn’t that word itself, but it was the way Allison had said it—as though aging were some crippling disease that had left Kat entirely helpless.

Not that fifty is all that damned old anyway!

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