Page 125 of Of Rime and Ruin
But the rage doesn’t come. I sit before her, an emptied shell of myself. Heat to quench the anger, bran to stave the hunger, darkness to calm the fight—I need none of it as long as she’s here. Nahla, my personal antidote.
She’s right.
When I open my eyes, she’s studying my face. Hopeful.
“Okay,” I say.
“Okay?” She grips my hands, grinning recklessly. Her emotions explode through our thin mental connection, fireworks of joy. “Really? You mean it?”
A fissure forms in my chest, cleaving my soul in two—one part, knowing this means she could leave me; the other, wishing for her sake she’ll take that chance.
“Yes,” I whisper. “I do.”
Chapter fifty-one
Nahla
Thisismychanceto run. Finally, I can accomplish what I left the Brine to do. I can chase my dreams into the unknown sea. Go where no siren has ventured, do what no merfolk has done, and be somebodyimportant.It’s what I’ve always wanted, but when given the choice at last, my feet grow numb and heavy.
Why do I feel so sick?
Aethan walks me to the shore in somber silence. We stop on the rocky beach and stare out over the churning water, watching the ice floes bob beneath a slivered moon in the aethersky. He takes my hand, swallowing mine with his palm.
“Is this okay?” He breaks the quiet with a gravelly whisper, lacing our fingers. “I’ve always wanted to do this. Figured I’d take the chance while I still can.”
I glance at our hands, an ache building in my chest. It feels nice, holding his hand. So simple, yet so sweet. “Yes, that’s fine.”
“Good.”
Tidewater washes over the stones, reaching our feet.
I’ve spoiled the mood. One minute, Aethan was lapping at my clit, and the next I’m dropping a bomb on him and blowing the whole evening apart.
When I asked him to break his final rule, I didn’t mean I wanted to leave the Rimenow. I thought I’d stay a while longer and have time to say my goodbyes. Finish some of those books he so chivalrously picked out for me. But then he nodded, so sure of himself, and led me away. To the edge of the Rime.
Have I ruined everything? Does he want me to leave that badly?
He tightens his grip on my hand, tight enough I’d have to chew my arm if I wanted to be free.
Maybe not, then.
“Aethan, I’m sorry,” I start. “I didn’t mean rightnow, but if you want me to go, I will.”
He blows out the air from his cheeks, turning to peer at me. He wears a sheepish smile. Snow falls around his face, sticking in his hair and eyelashes. “Really?” he says.
Godsdammit, he’s like an overgrown cuddlefish, way too cute for his own good.
“Really.” With my free hand, I reach for his cheek. Trace his sharp cheekbone with my thumb. A snowflake melts. “I just wanted to be equal with you. That’s all. I’m not ready to go yet.”
“That’s all?” His brow furrows, and he drops my hand to clutch my face between his palms. “Isthatwhat this is about? You think I’ve kept you here as part of some sick power play?”
I nod, cheeks squished between his hands.
“Dammit, Nahla. I’m an asshole, but I’m not that heartless.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Don’t you see what you’ve done to me?” A kiss to my cheek. “What you do to me every time you enter the fucking room? I can no longer exist without you.” To my nose. “I have never known peace like I do when I’m held in your gaze.” My chin. “You’ve upended me, completely,entirely, and I am nothing without you close.” Lips. “You’ve been inside my head, Sunfish. I thought you already knew how much I love you.”
I’ve never heard anything so fucking beautiful in my life. Aethan, the grumpy, temperamental, ravenously loyal king—helovesme.
Me.
