Page 141 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

She ran her hand nervously through her hair, dusting off some dry mud.

“We need to find shelter. Now,” Elijah said, “We can’t defeat them in the dark.”

Nola had seen a small cave in the distance before they were attacked. There was so much moisture in the terrain, they could barely walk through the muddy path.

The prince gestured to the cave. “That one,” he said.

She followed him closely, ducking under the arch and moving as far away from the entry.

It was so dark inside she could not see a thing.

“I don’t know how safe we will be in here, but it’s better than out there,” Prince Elijah said.

As they both sat on the cave’s floor, Nola wiped the mud off her cheeks and ran her hands down her shirt.

“It’s so cold,” she said, wrapping her arms around her waist.

She could not shake the thought that it was sirens roaming that island—sirens who had somehow evolved into something unrecognizable.

Nola placed her hand over her arm, rubbing against her smooth skin. Nothing had changed, but could it?

Could I become like—her?She swallowed, feeling a nervous lump in her throat.

The siren had been so afraid since she left Zemira. One dangerous, life-threatening encounter after another. She did not want to feel scared anymore. The need to fight for her kingdom consumed her, but her powers and training were not enough. No matter how untrustworthy and dangerous Elijah was, those creatures were worse. They had to work together. That—thing, wanted to kill her, and it would have.

“Elijah?” she called in the darkness.

“Yes, Nola,” his voice was not far from where she sat, but she still was not sure where in the cave he was.

She cleared her throat. “Aside from those hair-raising powers of yours, you seem nothing like I imagined.”

She instantly regretted her words. The silence made her feel uncomfortable. Nola was thankful for the darkness, as she knew her cheeks had turned red.

“Anything else?”Nola heard him say.

Reclining her head back against the cave, she let out an exasperated breath.

“Do you promise to release me after I help you?” she asked.

Nola waited for his answer but was met with silence. Elijah would find the compass with or without her help; that she understood. It was about survival and getting back to the ship safely come morning. There was no way she could do it alone. Nola had no choice.

A sigh left the prince’s lips as if tired of her being on edge around him.

“Yes,” he said. “I give you my word.”

She felt his fingers tug at her leg.

“Here.” Elijah pulled at her pant leg. “We need to keep each other warm.”

“What?” she said, realizing what he was suggesting.

“Without any ill intentions, Nola, I think we need to keep each other warm.”

He wanted to cuddle with her.

“Are you mad?” she said.

Elijah shrugged in the dark, dropping his hand.

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