Page 49 of Cruel Tides

Barren didn’t bother jumping. The distance between the pier and the boat was barely more than a normal pace for him. His knee hardly lifted when he stepped over the rail and onto the boat.

Dad was busy stowing away his gear, so I turned to assist Kai onto the boat, only to be greeted by his back.

“Come on, pretty girl.” He was hunched over Laverne, his voice bright and full of enthusiasm. “You can make it. You just have to try!”

Laverne’s moon eyes rounded, going so big and glossy that I could see the whole boat in their reflection. She made a soft whimper, then another one after Kai straightened up to scratch at the back of his neck.

“I, uh… Sure thing, I guess.” He stretched out his back, then massaged the area near the bottom of his spine like it still hurt him. He leaned in like he was going to pick her up, and I almost tumbled over the railing to grab hold of his shoulder.

“Wait—what are you doing? You can’t pick her up.” I pulled him back, ignoring Laverne’s shocked gasp. “You’re still recovering.” Laverne’s helpless facade cracked as soon as Kai’s back was turned. She bared her teeth, her fury radiating without a sound.

“Laverne wouldn’t have asked for my help if she could have made the jump by herself,” Kai said, speaking so gently, with such understanding, that it made my heart hurt.

Uh-huh. Like I was going to believe that.

“Trust me,” I deadpanned, barely restraining my annoyance with Laverne. “She can flop right into this boat.” I shot a glare at her that she returned with a hot snort.

“Don’t worry about me, Claira.” Kai moved my hand off his shoulder and drew a finger up to his lips. “Laverne is afraid of heights,” he mouthed, and I looked down to watch the water ripple and foam as it filled the gap between the boat and the pier.

Yeah, she could totally make that.

“Trust me, she’ll be okay.” I didn’t want to see him in pain just because Laverne liked having his attention. Determined, I reached a hand back out to Kai, beckoning him into the boat with me. “She was flying through waves three times this high this morn?—”

I felt the warmth of Barren’s body pass me as he went to grab Laverne from the pier. Laverne’s eyes bulged in surprise when he scooped her up with his massive arm without warning. Her long snout fell agape as he stepped back into the boat, rocking it slightly with his weight.

“Oh, oh!” Kai clapped his hands, ignoring my offer to help him on deck. He sprung up on his toes as Barren crouched down, gently releasing Laverne on deck. “Thanks for helping, Barren. Me next?”

Barren must not have been interested in entertaining him. As soon as Laverne was safely out of his arm, he was up again, making his way over to the nautical charts Dad had brought on board.

“I think he’s more worried about showing Dad the way to the portal.” Clearing my throat, I offered him my extended arms again. “Guess you’ll have to settle for me.”

Wow—that was corny. Like something Leander would say to me.So smooth, Claira. And yet, my cheeks flushed as if I’d asked for something far more than a hand on deck. I leaned in, propping a boot against the railing to ready myself, only to be interrupted by Leander just as Kai’s hands were about to touch mine.

“Shall I pick you up and carry you?” Leander bared his teeth at Kai in a fearsome display, just as Laverne had done to me moments before.

“Uh—” For half a second, the smile faded from Kai’s face, as if he was mulling over the offer. “Sure, I guess?” He spread his arms out to Leander, grinning bashfully.

Leander’s shoulders rolled as he sighed heavily. “Get the fuck in the boat.” He grabbed Kai’s shoulder and yanked him over the rail before I could stop him.

“Ow, ow—!” Kai landed, spinning on one foot.

“You call yourself a merman,” Leander spat out, steadying Kai back on his feet now that he was on deck. He leaned in, talking in a low voice that made it obvious he hadn’t wanted me to hear. “She thinks you’re a fucking warrior. Start acting like one.”

A heavy sigh came from where Dad and Barren were standing at the helm. “Let them flirt, Leander.” Barren’s words hit like a blow, sending a wave of embarrassment crashing into me.

“W-we weren’t—” My tongue twisted, knotting over itself as I tried to deny it.

Okay, maybe Iwasflirting. Or trying to, at least. Right in front of everyone. My dad, too.Ugh.What was wrong with me?

Thank goodness Gram wasn’t here. I wasn’t sure what she’d think. Especially since she seemed convinced Barren was the reason for my perpetual blush and constant stuttering over my words whenever I started talking about how we were allfriends.

My eyes lingered on Barren, and my heart thumped faster. Even though he wasn’t looking at me, my heart wrenched and fluttered like it might give out any second. He didn’t care if I flirted with Kai, did he? If he did, it didn’t show. Unlike Leander, who was never shy in showing his dislike for Kai.

His arm glided over the map, a pencil in hand, likely showing Dad the best spot to drop us off.

Why did the thought of him not caring… disappoint me?

Wow, Claira. I gave my face a brisk slap.Way to be terrible. You want Barren to be jealous? Time to get over yourself.

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