Page 4 of Trapped By Claws
He followed the line of my gaze back to the ship. A rich chuckle followed. "I don't think this otter rescue of yours turned out according to plan."
I sniffed, narrowing my eyes at him. "Nothing in life goes to plan."
"It's why I never plan anything. What're you going to do now? Are you going to swim?" His smile turned more playful.
More of the white stone islands dotted the sea. The waters were so calm and the winds so still, meaning there were even more of the stone columns revealed today than usual. With the dwarves using their wheeled contraptions to propel the ship forward, I didn't have much time before the ship's steady pace took it beyond the rope's length and I'd have no choice but to swim.
"If you'd like, I could always carry you back," he offered with a sly smile.
Heat flared from my core straight to my face at the thought of being in his arms, all pressed up against his muscular chest and feeling his breath against my cheek. How dare he. "No," I said as flatly as I could.
He stifled a laugh as I fastened the wooden spoon back on the clip at my side. I ignored him pointedly. He obviously wasn't going to be helpful. I then climbed the stone spire at the center of my island and formed my new plan.
The next stone island was a bit farther of a jump, but it was doable. Gripping the rope, I leaped.
The cool, salty air whipped past my face. I landed with a solid thunk on the edge, the impact jarring me through. While it didn't hurt now, I'd probably be feeling this in the morning.
Squinting, I lifted my hand up and peered at the path ahead. This was the tricky bit, especially with theSeaforger's Pridesteadily moving forward and ever tugging at the rope. I'd need to jump to the island to the right and then two forward before I could start moving directly ahead. Depending on the distance, I might have to move out to the right again.
I chewed the inside of my lip.
Corvin swam along beside me, watching my every move. His arms slid through the water with practiced grace, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Thinking, thinking. You know, I never really thought those dwarf ships could move all that fast in doldrum-afflicted waters. Those wooden wheels they run in below deck to power the propellers aren't all that fast. But it might prove a little too fast for you, darling."
Scoffing, I hurried to the edge, then hopped to the island on the right.
Oops!
My heel scraped the water. I swung my arms out and staggered forward. "Stop trying to distract me."
He swam alongside me and circled the tiny rock island. "I bet they'd send a boat out for you. I could swim back and tell them you're out here if you don't trust being in my arms."
"Just stop. I don't need your help." I glared at him as he circled the island again. His long strokes showed off his lean, muscled form, and somehow his hair remained fluffy and curly.
"I'm impressed you didn't just jump into the water. I scared most of the predators down deep, but that heavy thudding and thunking coming from your ship will draw them back up." He trailed his arms lazily through the water. One of the waves lapped against his back, brushing over his hair. After it receded though, his hair was still light and dry. Fae magic maybe.
The otter popped up beside him and nuzzled him, squeaking and chirping. He glanced down at it and grinned. "Tagger really does appreciate you being so eager to help him. Even if he did steal your crossbow."
I wrinkled my nose at him. "You're both horrid."
Tagger splashed in the water and then nuzzled up along Corvin's neck. The otter started grooming him behind the ears, chirping and trilling. No sign of the crossbow. That one smaller forepaw didn't seem to hold him back from his grooming either.
Did the poor fellow have a hard time—no!
No. I wasn't going to get distracted worrying about some little otter that stole my weapon.
Corvin snickered, his voice still melodic but much lower now. "You took that personally, didn't you? If it's any consolation, Tagger likes you. I can tell." Scratching the otter between the ears, he gave me a crooked smile. "He just didn't appreciate you trying to shoot me. He's very protective. Though I do understand why you misunderstood what was happening with Tagger and me. We were just playing."
Huffing, I leaped to the next stone island.
This time I landed neatly on the balls of my feet. The impact still rattled up through me. Ugh.
I adjusted my grip on the knotted rope and looped the strand around my arm to keep it from trailing as I gathered more slack. "Well, lucky you."
No one was protective of me. No one even noticed I was gone. No one would notice I was missing from the ship for at least a couple more hours. Maybe not even until dinnertime arrived and there was no stew and biscuits. And then it wouldn't even be Mama who noticed I was gone. It'd be a crewmember.
My insides twisted, and I tried to push those thoughts away. They weren't helpful.
With a soft grunt, I headed toward the edge and leaped onto the next island. This time I had to scurry around to avoid snagging the rope on the stone spire.
