Page 65 of Of the Stars and Sea

I see his mind working as his beady eyes flick toward Grayson and Zaos then back to me. He points a thick finger into my face and says, “If you make me regret this, Rowenya Stone, I will make sure no inn on Emerald Cove will ever provide you safe refuge again.”

I nod. “Fair enough. Now, take it before he sees.”

He grabs the letter and stuffs it into the front pocket of his apron.

“Thank you.”

He just grunts then tosses another apple into the pack he prepared for Grayson and me. When he hands it over, I grab it and walk over to Grayson.

Zaos and him pause on my approach.

“I’ve got the food.” I raise the pack, then sling its strap over my shoulder.

Grayson smiles warmly at me. My heart cinches in my chest as I look away. Now is not the time to get wrapped up in whatever this thing is between us.

Zaos breaks the tension as he says, “We’ll meet you with a longboat on the eastern shore at dawn tomorrow.” Then he exchanges one final look with Grayson before heading for the front door of the inn.

We both watch as he leaves. “Such a man of few words,” I joke, but neither of us laugh. Not with the threat that looms over us, like a sea serpent about to strike.

“Are you ready?” Grayson’s voice is low and soothing and I wish I had the ability to be as calm as he is, given the situation.

I snort. “Do I have a choice not to be?”

His eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn’t respond and I know he’s thinking back to our previous conversation when he told me there isalwaysa choice.

“Let’s just go,” I say, adjusting the strap on my shoulder. “Before word reaches inland.”

Wind whistles through the tunnels of the cavern as we near the center and I’m thankful for whatever storm is brewing along the horizon as it keeps the sticky heat at bay.

Grayson guides me around the dark corner, placing his hand at the small of my back. His fingers dance along my spine, sending a cascade of shivers over my skin. My mind wanders to the feeling of his mouth against mine and heat gathers at the apex of my thighs.

Will it always be this way when he is near? All thoughts emptying from my mind except for the ones ofhim.

His presence makes it nearly impossible to think of anything else and it bothers me.

I try to stow away the complicated feelings I have for him. Try to ignore the way my body reacts to his touch as the cavern opens up before us.

My breath hitches. “Blessed stars,” I breathe. “It’s beautiful.”

Grayson pulls my hair to the side and kisses my neck. His lips are soft against my skin as he moves upward to the bottom of my ear.

“Beautiful, yes. But it holds no candle to you, Little Pearl.” My eyelids flutter as he lets go of my hair, the strands sweeping across the back of my tunic and corset.

I stand there, unable to move, my body stricken by his touch. He watches me with prying eyes and a smirk dances over his lips. He knows exactly what he’s doing to me. There’s no hiding the impact he has on my body, and for the first time since we left Harrick’s inn, I realize we’re completely alone.

“Come, now.” He extends his hand and I take it.

We walk along the path we took only this morning to meet with Seger and Hawke, but everything looks different now. The cavern is washed in silver moonlight shining through the holes in the ceiling. White light illuminates the crystals and they all shine different hues of purple. The water filling the basin in the middle of the cavern is a pristine mirror reflecting the images of every crystal lining the walls and ceiling. It makes it look as though the entire space is filled with shimmering amethyst.

Grayson stops in an alcove just before the eastern tunnel. I slide the pack off my shoulder and gawk at the scene before me. “I’ve never seen the cavern at night.”

“Not many people have ventured this far across the island. How many times have you come here?” Grayson asks, shoving off the larger pack and bedroll Zaos found for us before we left.

“A few times.” I wander to the edge of the water and look down, staring at my reflection. “My father showed me every inch of this island when I was a little girl. He told me I should know all the secrets of my home.”

“Smart man.” I hear him rummaging through one of the packs behind me.

“He was. Which is why it always surprises me that he let himself get entangled with someone like Red Beard.” I sigh.

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