Page 77 of Conquering the King of Storms

“He’s fine.” I patted him on the gigantic thigh.

She nodded, brushing her hands off and walking toward the water.

Ayla and Dove were standing on the edge of the water, and Ayla’s hand was wrapped around Flood’s arm, holding on tightly. His eyes were still glowing, so I figured she was holding on to him for his safety.

Margo waltzed right into the water, not slowing down or taking her time. Guess she figured that if the water was her element, it was better to just jump right in.

She waded out to her thighs, then looked around like she was waiting for something to happen.

Storm murmured, “Can you help Dove in for me? Hold her hand?”

I looked over at him, and his expression was slightly… fragile.

My heart swelled for him.

His daughter was growing up, and that was probably difficult shit for anyone to deal with.

Plus, the man was a king. He’d relied on his magic to keep himself and the people he cared about safe for a long time. Not being able to use that magic for a bit was probably grating on him.

“I can helpyouout to the water,” I said instead.

His lips curved upward slightly. “If you want me to crush you.”

I would’ve snorted, but he was right.

A sigh escaped me. “She’d rather go in with you.”

“She doesn’t care who takes her. And you’re family now, remember?” His smile grew slightly.

“Alright, fine. You owe me, though,” I said playfully, as I stood and brushed sand off my legs and thighs.

Ugh, sand.

The water had better not choose me, because I could not deal with sand for the rest of my life.

“Anything you want,” he agreed.

When I glanced back over my shoulder, he was still smiling.

It occurred to me that I had done that.

I had put that smile on his face.

I had made himhappy.

And that made my heart swell even more.

Margo came wading back out of the lake. “Not my element, thank fuck,” she called out to me. “No way in hell am I spending my life surrounded by the water fae assholes.”

“They’re notallassholes,” Ayla argued. “They’re just afraid of what your king could do to them.”

“Fear doesn’t make someone an asshole.Actingin fear does,” Margo shot back.

I grabbed Ayla’s hand, hoping to end the argument. “Come on, we’re going in.”

“I’ve got it, thanks.” Her voice was sharp, and her hand tugged free from mine before taking Flood’s.

“Margo means well,” I began.

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