Page 118 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

The front of Nola’s hair fell over her eyes as she leaned forward, dipping her toes into the lake. She swung her feet back and forth over the surface, barely caressing the water. The siren smiled at herself, lost in thought.

The charm of the fairy city had given her a sense of belonging. The Eastland Forest had magic, and Zemira did not. Nola needed magic. A few hundred fireflies lit up the early morning sky. It made the scene even more beautiful, peaceful.

This is better than I ever imagined,Nola thought.

All the creatures in the Eastland Forest were part of who the siren girl truly was. For a short while, Nola remembered all the fairy tales her father had read to her. The images she had made in her mind were nothing compared to what she was witnessing.

The bright colors and patterns of nature, dimly lit by the glow of dawn, were unlike anything she had ever seen. All the gorgeous landscapes she dreamed of as a child were real. She was surrounded by magic for the first time since she was born. Though Zemira would always have a place in her heart, it was the Eastland Forest that gave her life.

I am...home,Nola thought as she took a deep breath filling her lungs with crisp air.

Her eyes quickly darted to Lincoln as his fingers brushed up her spine. He dropped his hand, wrapping his fingers around hers.

Bloody hell, woman,Lincoln thought to himself as he watched her bat her lashes at him. You are astonishing.

They sat in silence for a few long minutes, not wanting to drown the beautiful sounds of the forest.

“Have you thought about what Cassia said—?” Nola paused.

Lincoln raised a brow. “About riding her dragon?”

She nodded shyly.

There was no purpose in asking such a question, but it had loomed in her thoughts since the queen mentioned it. Those dragons were the ones she saw in her dreams—the connection was not a coincidence.

Hesitation shone in Lincoln’s eyes. The dragon had scarred him, and he, deep down, feared it would happen again.

“Aye,” he said. “But then I thought that if I were to slip off that beast, I’d fall to my death. So, nay, I will not be ridin’ a ferocious red dragon high into the clouds. It is literally the last thing I plan to do.”

The temptation to snicker at his response itched at her. She shrugged instead.

“I think it would be quite the adventure,” Nola said. “I could always speak with the dragon if you’d like. According to Cassia, I can communicate with Anaru, as I am with you right now.”

His lips pulled up. “I’d rather pretend to be a fearless pirate and hide the fact that I am afraid of heights.”

Nola nudged him with her elbow teasingly. “You’re not fearless,” she said.

He chuckled. “Nah, I know I am not. At least not like Mazie. She has her flaws, but she takes on danger like it’s the most natural thing to her,” Lincoln replied.

“I guess you are right,” the siren said. “Mazie is going to fight a giant.”

“Aye,” the captain said. “That is, if she finds the monstrous creature.”

The captain and his siren stared at the moving trees while holding hands. It was the calmest moment they had had together since they met. Her hair blew up from the wind. Lincoln’s eyes traced the curves of her neck. The handsome pirate nibbled on his bottom lip—he ached to touch and hold her again. It was all he could think about since he saw her. He craved the taste of her lips and the gentle scent of her neck.

“How exactly do you catch a giant?” Nola asked innocently, turning to him. She saw him withdraw his tongue to nestle back into his mouth.

Oh, you beautiful man.

“They like eating trolls,” he answered. “The Fae had to round up a few to use as bait.”

Her jaw dropped. “That’s a bit barbaric.”

“That’s the Fae way, unfortunately.”

A small frown crossed her features before she turned back to the forest on the other side of the lake. “Are you scared for her?” the siren asked.

A faint smile flickered on his pink lips, causing Lincoln’s dimples to dip, hiding his tiny scar.

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