Page 134 of Ruthless Scoundrel
I can’t tell if she’s joking, but I very much do not want to be pregnant while fighting to overthrow a goddess. Plus, it’s much too soon. I have things to accomplish, and such.
I down the bottle with two big gulps and hand it back to her empty. “That’s good for a month. You’ll need more when you get home. Now, let’s put this out of mind and enjoy your victory.”
I smile and offer her my arm. “Yes, let’s.”
We exit at the bottom floor to picnic-style blankets that have been set around the selkie pond. Cora opens her arms to the people gathered and says something in Illyan that sounds like an invitation to begin. A veritable feast of grapes, coconut, pineapple, boiled eggs, roasted chicken and fish, and fresh bread with an herb dipping oil is laid out. I could cry.
Wait, I am crying.
I wipe my cheeks and sniffle as Jasper comes up behind me, putting an arm on my shoulder. “What is it, love?”
“I’m so excited to eat,” I murmur through my tears.
Jasper laughs and kisses my hair. “Then eat your fill, so I can take you to bed.”
His promise awakens another hunger, one that burns all the way down to my core and has only one solution.
He groans against my ear. “Are you imagining what I might do to you in that bed?”
“You know I am,” I whisper.
He squeezes my sides. “Let’s get you ready for the evening’s activities.”
We join many families, some of whom can’t yet leave the water, and break bread. We tell Alejandra’s tale, and then Cora speaks of the prophecies she’s collected over the years, including the one that brought Jasper and I together. Such a tragedy, but Ahliyah didn’t want to hide anything from her people.
There is mourning but understanding. Ki’ah Ohn have never been trusted, but now things are different. The loss of years, and of life, is memorialized in the trunk of the tree with a carving of runes. Symbols of love and protection, of remembrance and loyalty. This is forever their place of honor.
When the wine—much better than sailor’s wine—is drunk, and the food gone, Cora pulls out an assortment of instruments. Drums for her husband, a flute for herself, and a viola for Selyn.They play a somber tune, and the selkies sing, their haunting, hypnotizing harmony whispering out into the night like a dirge.
Jasper joins them, his voice deep and resonant in my soul. I feel his pain, all of their pain. It burns in my throat, my eyes, and my chest. I let my tears fall, as does everyone else.
When the song is over, Ahliyah whoops loudly, joyously, and the selkies holler with her. The music picks up to something upbeat, full of love and excitement, and those with legs begin to dance while those with tails begin to swirl and dive.
As the sun sets, Jasper laces his fingers in mine and draws me away from the celebrating crowd. “They gave us the room at the top, farthest out. It’s a little tricky to get to, but…”
I bite my lip as I smile. “I’m sure it has an amazing view.”
Chapter forty-one
Jasper
With my heart light and my belly full, there’s only one thing on my mind.
Reina’s honor.
She promised it to me and I promised myself I wouldn’t take it until I knew she loved me. She does. There’s no doubt in my mind, and the way my family accepted her, the way she embraced them back without pause or awkwardness…
It’s love, without a doubt.
The wine has warmed us both and she giggles as we escape the crowd.
I pull her close and cover her mouth, shushing her. “We don’t want them noticing.”
She bites me.
Of course she bites me.
I don’t let go, pulling her flush against my chest. “We’re not quite to the bedroom yet, love. But soon, I’ll show you a real bite,” I say against the shell of her ear.
