Page 38 of Tides of Shadows

“That’s not the reaction I expected,” he muttered, half amused, half unsettled.

“I’m not amused by your foolish threats,” I said calmly, though a spark of excitement laced my tone. “Did you notice how quickly you reached me? You stood ten feet away, and in a heartbeat, you were here. You used air to move. Without even realizing it.”

He frowned slightly, surprise flickering in his silver eyes. His grip softened, and for a moment I sensed pride, or maybe curiosity, stirring in him.

“You can let me go,” I said evenly. “I won’t throw anything. For now.”

He released me, slowly, as if unsure whether I’d strike again. Then he stepped back, straightened his shirt, and rubbed a hand over his hair, trying to mask the bewilderment lingering in his expression.

“We’re changing the plan for today,” I declared, slipping back into my teacher’s tone, though my pulse still raced. “We’ll train outside. Strike while the iron’s hot. Is there a place we can use?”

He nodded, still slightly dazed. “The old orchards behind the palace.”

“Perfect. Let’s go.”

The rest of the day we spent trying to awaken his new ability. It went poorly. He could not repeat what he’d done. Could not summon that impossible speed again.

He ran back and forth forever, between the trees, growing more frustrated with every failed attempt. At last, his shirt clung to his skin, and he pulled it off, tossing it onto the grass.

My gaze betrayed me. His chest was lean and sculpted, each muscle moving with effortless grace as he sprinted. His flat stomach with curved muscles that were leading to one and only thing I didn’t want to think about. I forced myself to look elsewhere. The rustling leaves, the sting of sunlight on my skin, the rough bark beneath my fingers. Anything but him. Gods, pull yourself together, Nerissa!

Still, he could not harness the wind. I sighed, leaning against an apple tree, deciding it was time for a new motivation.

When he turned his back, I snatched an apple and hurled it at him. It struck squarely between his shoulders.

He froze, his muscles tensing, and turned to face me. “You must be joking,” he said slowly and coldly.

I only smiled—a sly, wicked smile. All other methods had failed. I would not waste the whole day here. I grabbed another apple and threw it straight in his direction, then darted away.

He caught me in a single gust of air. But failed to control it. We tumbled to the ground together, breathless, tangled in limbs and heat.

He lay atop me, his bare skin slick with sweat. His breath came hard, his silver eyes gleaming like molten metal as he stared into mine. He didn’t move. He only looked, as if studying every line of my face, fighting something within himself.

My ginger hair spilled across the grass, my shirt had come undone, and the day’s heat thickened the air between us. I felt him harden against me, pressing into my hips. The worst part was that my own body betrayed me. A shiver ran down my spine. All over. He sensed it. A low laugh rumbled from his chest as he watched the flicker of panic in my eyes.

“You have no shame,” I whispered hoarsely. “Save it for your whores.”

“Easy,” he murmured, his voice low, velvety, almost purring. “I won’t force you into anything. Though I can feel your body wishes otherwise.”

Fury flared through the haze of desire. Fury at myself, at him, at how easily he read me. I shoved him off with all my strength. He rolled onto his back and burst into laughter.

I sat up, breathless, adjusting my hair and shirt with trembling hands.

“Don’t act so holy,” he teased, still sprawled in the grass. “Don’t you have your own desires?”

His gaze burned, and my cheeks burned hotter. “None of your concern, Cavareth.”

His grin turned positively wicked. “I know your type. You fancy those tattooed sailors. Rough hands, beards, the smell of salt and sin. That’s your kind.”

“Shut up.”

“Come now, Veymaris,” he drawled, propping himself on an elbow. “Give me a hint.”

I snatched another apple and threw it, but he deflected it with a lazy sweep of air. The fruit rolled away in the grass.

“Lesson’s over,” I hissed, turning on my heel toward the palace.

His laughter followed me long after, echoing among the trees.