Page 35 of Hungry Like a Wolf
“See what?”
“Come up here.” He tugged her toward the front of the boat, stepping over barrels and blankets and past a cage holding clucking chickens. It was hard to walk on a narrow boat that was being swished along by sturdy rowers, even if the sea was mercifully calm.
“Stand here,” Ravn said, slotting her next to the neck of the big serpent that decorated the prow. “And hold on.”
She did as instructed, looping one arm around the wood, the surface carved to resemble scales.
He stood close behind her, his chest to her back and pointed over her right shoulder. He smelled of ale and leather and chestnut soap. “Out there, look.”
“I can’t see anything.” She shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun. “Only water, which is what I expected.”
“No, look.” A hint of excitement laced his voice.
She searched the surface. All she could see was the reflection of the sky and the two fluffy, white clouds floating in it. “There is nothing there.”
“Wait,” he whispered, his breath warm on her temple. “They’ll show themselves in a moment.”
“What will?” Her heart rate quickened.
He said nothing.
“What is under the water?” Was it a monster? An ugly sea beast? A great, big, ferocious fish that would eat them up with mean jaws and sharp teeth?
“Ravn?” She swallowed tightly as her imagination ramped up. “I’m scared. What is it?”
He slid his thick arm around her waist, holding her to him. “Don’t be scared.”
She gripped his hard forearm and leaned back against him, glad of his support when her knees felt a little weak.
“Look! There!” He pointed forward. “Can you see?”
The surface had been breached several times, white froth and ripples spreading out in great rings.
“No… I… Oh… What is that?”
A creature had leaped from the water. Gray, sleek, and shiny, it was as long as a person with bright eyes and a mouth shaped almost like a smile. It disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. She knew for sure it wasn’t a seal. Not that shape.
“Did you see it?” he asked, squeezing her closer and his body warming hers. “It is beautiful,ja?”
“Aye, it is…but…but what is it?” She’d never seen anything like it, not in real life or in a tapestry or piece of artwork.
“A delfin and…there are more…over there.”
It was true. There were more delfins. Three, four, five… They were skimming the surface of the water, their smooth bodies breaching then dipping under. Another leaped out, apparently just for the joy of it. Its intelligent gaze was set on them before hitting the sea again.
“You have seen them before?” she asked.
“Ja, many times, but I could never get bored. I could watch them all day.”
“I never knew such a thing existed.”
“The ocean is a magical place.” His mouth was against her as he spoke. “Full of surprises and wonder. You just have to open your eyes to see the gifts it can give you.”
“They are a gift from God.” She stared in awe as the delfins came closer still, seeming to look up at her as she stood watching them skim through the water.
“Today, they are my gift to you, my beautiful princess.”
She turned to look at him. He kept his arm around her, holding her close. “What did you just say?”
