Page 87 of Scourge of the Shores
Their lips met in the merging of two souls who had wandered too far and found their way back.
His grip tightened around her, pulling her close as if he’d never let go. His hand on her cheek slid to her nape, fingers tight as if winning what he sought.
With her arms around his neck and fingers tangled in his hair, she finally realized Robert had come back, and he hadn’t come with nothing. He’d brought the one, rare, impossible gift that would allow her to leave the island.
He’d chosen her.
She’d chosen him.
Their lips finally broke apart, leaving them gasping for air. Her smile refused containment, brighter than any sun that touched the shores. Breathless laughter spilled from both of them in joy.
And then the world came rushing back.
Clapping.
Cheers.
Loud whoops and whistles.
They both startled and laughed harder. Her cheeks bloomed as she’d forgotten all eyes were on them. But Robert didn’t care. His excited gaze never left her.
“Let ‘em watch,” he whispered with a grin, his voice low and rough, his breath hot on her lips. “They oughta see what I’ve been fightin’ for.”
He pressed one more gentle, lingering kiss to her lips, pulling her close for the world to see. He pushed her hair behind her ear before glancing behind her to his ships.
She peered over her shoulder and saw Lucas standing with his hands clasped over his belly, a wide beam on his face. He gave her a nod, and she took Robert’s hand and raced toward her hut.
She threw open the door.
“Ma, Ma!”
“What’s wrong?” Ma screamed, but at the sight of Robert, pulled her shirt together at her collarbone. “Is this?—?”
“Robert,” Danna answered before Ma could complete her question. “And he brought ye a gift.”
“Me?” Ma asked.
The island villagers gathered outside the hut, their whispers growing louder. Robert and Danna helped Ma to the edge of the bed, and Danna presented the enchanter’s vial to her. “It regrows limbs, Ma,” Danna said, her eyes tinged with triumph. “It regrows limbs,” she whispered, popping the cork top.
Ma’s jaw fell ajar. Her trembling fingers wrapped around the vial as Danna handed it to her, but she didn’t drink it. Not yet. She looked at Danna, then at Robert, then at the liquid shimmering in the sunlight from the open door. “Is this—” her voice wavered, thick with disbelief. “Is this real?”
Ma’s breath hitched. She clutched the vial to her chest like it was the most precious treasure she had ever held. “I— I don’t?—”
Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she threw back her head and drank.
The room shook with Ma’s screams, raw and guttural. Her body stiffened. The air crackled. Her skin shimmered as her muscles tensed and tightened, rippling and twisting. Her back arched, throwing her onto the bed.
Danna gritted her teeth and held Ma’s hand with a firm grip. “The pain’ll pass, Ma,” Danna whispered as she wiped her mother’s brow.
Ma’s teeth bared as another anguish-filled scream edged through.
Lucas appeared in the doorway with eyes growing wide as the nubs lengthened into limbs.
Ma passed out from the pain.
Danna surveyed her mother’s body: two arms, two legs. “Ma,” she whispered, cradling her mother’s face. She kissed her forehead. “Ma, wake up.”
Ma stirred and opened her eyes. Sweat glistened on her brow. The island was silent as they watched Ma flex her fingers and stare at her hands.
