Page 71 of Of the Stars and Sea

“I still haven’t translated the riddle,” I say before placing a kiss on Grayson’s forearm.

He holds me tighter and I feel his lips move to the top of my head. “We will figure it out once we get back to theCaelestia. But we should move now while we have the cover of the storm. Blythe has likely dispatched members of his crew to search the island already.”

“There aren’t many who know about the caverns,” I retort.

“That is true. But I would not put it past him to send people through the jungle, thinking we might try to hide and wait him out.”

Begrudgingly, I lean forward and rise to my feet. When Grayson stands, his hand comes to the side of my face. My eyelids flutter at his touch.

“Risking your life is not something I’m willing to do,” he says.

“This entire venture is a risk to my life, Grayson. You can’t start making decisions just to protect me. If you do, we will never make it to Thaeto’s treasure.” I grab my weapon’s belt from the ground and strap it onto my hips, resting my hands on the pommels of my daggers. “I can take care of myself.”

I watch as Grayson does the same. His longsword juts out at an angle beyond his hip as he adjusts the belt on his waist before moving to strap the bandolier across his chest. The jewel-encrusted dagger glimmers in what little light shines through the ceiling holes. The piece is stunning with a large blue sapphire nestled in the side of the pommel and a beautiful leather wrap with etched waves lining the hilt. I wonder if he got it from a prize he won or if he had it made for himself.

“I told you before.” He steps closer so I have to tilt my head back to look at his face. Most would run away or cower to the floor in such close proximity to Grayson Tyde, but all I can think about is the small gap that keeps me parted from him. “You aremine, Roweyna Stone, and that means your life is no trivial thing, easily cast aside or toyed with. I will protect you and you can try to fight me on it, but I promise it will be a fight you won’t win.”

“Territorial brute,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.

“There you go again with wildly inaccurate descriptions of me. I thought we talked about this.” His smile is equal parts breathtaking and mischievous.

“Yes, yes, I know. Lord Grayson Tyde is charming and handsome and smart.”

Lowering his lips to mine, my stomach flutters and all the jest leaves my mind. There’s onlyhimand the unwavering desire to rip off all of his clothing and take my time tasting every inch of his delectable body.

His lips move against mine as he says, “Not Lord . . .Captain.”

I pull back and smirk. “You’re right. We should head for the shore.”

Kneeling, I start to roll up the bedroll and make sure the Serpent’s Key and the golden box are placed in the pack before I swing it over my shoulder.

“You are a viciously cruel thing.” Grayson chuckles as he takes my hand and we start moving toward the entrance of the eastern tunnel. “Denying me the one title I wish more than anything to hear pass between your sweet lips.”

“You told me yourself that it is my darkness that draws you in the most. So, vicious and cruel I will continue to be.”

“And here I was thinking our little game would end, but I think I like playing even more now that I have you,” he purrs next to my ear.

“You think that now, but just wait until Ireallyhave you cornered.”

Violent wind whips the bottom edge of my long coat back and forth as I lift the top over my head to shield my face from the onslaught of rain. Grayson does the same next to me as we finally break through the edge of the jungle and find the eastern shore of Emerald Cove.

“There!” Grayson yells over the roar of the storm. “Do you see it?”

He points to the horizon of water where sheets of rain billow in the wind. Squinting, I look at where he points and make out a shadow of something tall and wide off the shore. TheCaelestia. And in the foreground is a longboat peeking over the white capped waves.

“How are we supposed to make it back to the ship in this storm?” I call out to him.

Water drips from the long strands of his hair as he looks down at me. His entire face is wet from the rain. Somehow, he looks even more beautiful as the shadows of the gray sky darken the sharp planes of his face.

His canines flash as he grins. “You wound me, Little Pearl if you think this storm will prevent me from getting you safely back to my ship.”

I roll my eyes and chuckle. “If you’re wounded this easily, I’m afraid we have a long road ahead of us if you wish for me to be by your side.”

“Always steering me straight for the edge.” I just barely hear the click of his tongue before a flash of lightning skitters across the sky.

We both look up as a thunderous boom shakes the sand beneath our boots.

“Come on! The storm isn’t going to die down anytime soon.” I follow his lead down the seemingly endless stretch of beach toward where his men in the longboat aim to reach us.

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