Page 11 of Depths
Laughter and conversation mixed and melded with the music as people began to relax and enjoy the occasion. But just as my guests began to make merry, my own torture began.
Sahar escorted the first suitor up the stairs.
I thought my heart had faltered on the balcony. That was nothing compared to the wild nosedive it did now.
The sea man’s hair was as red as blood, it was parted in the middle, and soft tendrils drifted down either side of his face, ending near his eyes, eyes that were such a dark brown they were nearly black. He was thin, but his shoulders were at least three times as wide as his hips, so not unattractive. A flat black shell was strapped to his back like a shield; I could make out symbols carved onto the edges. The man bowed gracefully, twisting his wrist with flourish.
When he rose, I could tell the smile in his eyes was friendly, not judgmental.
“Why, hello there, Majesty.” His accent spoke of far-off places, but it was also warm and inviting, a slow drawl to it.
“Call me Avia, please.”
“Radford.”
“Nice to meet you,” I responded. I noted that while his skin was pale, he was covered in freckles that seemed thicker on the backs of his arms and neck. Up close, there were even two I could spot underneath his left eyes. He took my hand, and his touch made me hyperaware since his palm was rough, the pads of his fingers thick and calloused.
His touch was proper but firm and called to some baser, instinctual part of my mind, a part that told me to step closer. I resisted it of course, suddenly grateful for the elven chain around my neck, but at the same time, a bit unnerved. Because he couldn’t be enchanting me, though he was.
“Nicer for me, I should think.” He gave me a wink, but it didn’t feel sly, it felt playful. “I’ve got the better view.” His cheeks grew pink. So did mine.
Did one compliment men on their looks? I wasn’t sure.
I liked the way he playfully bit his lip, like he was almost embarrassed he’d said that. He glanced up at the dancers swirling above us before he cleared his throat and added, “This castle is a mite bigger than my shell back home, for sure.”
“It is a bit big, isn’t it?” I glanced around the ballroom, which could have housed a blue whale.
“Compensating for anything, Majesty?” There was a sparkle in his eye and a twitch at the corner of his lips, and suddenly I had the mad urge to make him laugh, to watch that twitch become a full-blown smile. I was willing to bet a smile would catapult him from striking to irresistible.
Radford was being playful. He was unafraid of me. Possibly even attracted, if his first statement were true. Not full of vitriol. If I were on land, I’d have called him a breath of fresh air. His playfulness was catching. I released his hand to tug thoughtfully at my hair as if I were considering his question seriously. “Well, size does matter, of course. In a castle.”
He chuckled and the sound was just as husky and endearing as I’d imagined. “You’re more fun than I expected.”
“Yes, well, you’re the lucky first. I expect I’ll get more boring as the night goes on and I run out of things to say.”
He looked back at the long line of sea men waiting to meet me, some of whom waited patiently, others less so. When his gaze swung back around, it was thoughtful. “Here’s my trick. When I run outta things to say, I just say, ‘Interesting.’ Seems to work alright.” He followed his advice with a dip of his head.
“Does it? Interesting.” I couldn’t help the smile that crossed my features at the look of sly approval he gave me. We held one another’s gazes for a moment, and all the fear and anticipation I’d felt building up to tonight suddenly seemed foolish. This was easy. Radford made it easy.
But suddenly Radford’s posture stiffened. The twinkle in his eyes changed. That little curl at the corner of his mouth flattened. And then he spoke, wiping away the ease he’d just handed me. “Majesty, you look as radiant as a volcanic eruption.”
My eyes widened.Was that an insult? Or a bad compliment?Shite. What had just happened? Had I been too familiar? Had I done something to offend him? I’d prepared with Sahar, practiced conversations even, to understand the different greetings. The hermit crab shifters were supposed to be more informal, more relaxed. And he had been, but now … his entire posture had grown stiff. I must have done something wrong.
Sahar was busy, wrapped up in a conversation with the next man in line. I’d have to improvise.
“Yes, well, I’m certain everyone believes I’m as volatile as a volcano. Sadly, I’ll disappoint you there. I’m pretty boring,” I told him, trying to take what might have been an insult and turn it into an olive branch. Secretly though, I chanted in my head,I hope it was a joke. Please let it be a joke. Please let this be one of those awkward moments when someone’s made a joke that no one else gets and then they retract it.
He didn’t retract it. Instead, he made it worse. “I’m not so sure about that. Sure, sitting in a castle, eating food someone else has prepared for you all day long, sitting on a throne and listening to people drone on about their problems—I’m sure you do think that’s plenty boring. But—”
“I’m so pleased to meet you. I hope you enjoy the ball.” I tried to cut off whatever mad rant had suddenly taken over Radford, erasing the charming man who’d mounted the steps. My mind raced like a thoroughbred. Sahar had warned me that some of the shifters were a bit unstable, but she’d mentioned the predators, not the crabs! Was Radford mad? Did he have some sort of mania?
Please, Sahar, stop chatting and save me.
“Starting this husband hunt off with lies, huh? Seems like a good precedent.” Radford’s eyes widened suddenly, and he put his hand over his mouth. He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe he’d had the audacity to say that.
Frankly, I couldn’t either. I wasn’t certain what was going on. I was sure that he didn’t seem all there.
Felipe seemed to notice my distress and swam closer.
