Page 23 of Nyall

“Or eternity, if you dinnae age when you freeze the mortal realm,” Jamaran murmured.

“I’m not immortal, so unlike you guys I’ll always age.” That suddenly depressed her, and made her wonder something, too. “How old were you when Merrick changed you?”

“Old,” he said, his mouth hitching. “Twenty-four.”

“Watch it, youngster. I’m twenty-five.” She glanced at the captain. “You probably stopped aging at eighteen, so technically you’re both younger than me. Why aren’t you out chasing girls or maidens or whatever?”

“We prefer women,” Jamaran said, bumping his shoulder against hers. “’Tisnae wise chasing any female on an island where my kind forever desire them as mates.”

“Good point, although you don’t have to get married to have fun, you know.” The whiskey had Caroline decidedly more relaxed, so she leaned close and whispered, “Just how adventurous are you two?”

His eyes narrowed as he shifted, almost pressing his cheek against hers as he murmured, “What adventure wish you take with us, lovely one?”

Oh, the suggestions that popped into her head. “Well, if you really want to know–”

“’Tis growing late.” Nyall abruptly rose to his feet. “The commander cannae remain out of the sea much longer. Permit me escort you back, my lady.”

Caroline figured she’d pushed him hard enough for one night, but as the captain returned the jugs to the niche she couldn’t resist touching Jamaran’s arm as he got up. “We will continue this conversation another time. Thanks for the drink.”

“Fair night, my lady.” He nodded to Nyall before he followed the stone path back toward the cove.

As she walked with the captain she sensed his tension, and wondered how the three of them were going to play out in the long run. She also had some ideas about that, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to get romantically involved with either man. Captain No-Kissing-Women also seemed remarkably uptight about her flirting with Jamaran. Maybe that was why he’d insisted on ending their medieval hot tub interlude.

You need to find out what Nyall is thinking first.

“I like your friend,” she said, looking over at the cove. “I always appreciate men with a sense of humor. He’s a very decent guy, isn’t he?”

He inclined his head. Time to move on to the one serious topic she had yet to discuss.

“This chieftain, Shaw, he’s dangerous,” Caroline told him. “Working underwater, you develop an instinct for predators that like to attack without warning or even provocation. Bull sharks, great whites, tiger sharks, they’re all like that, and Shaw’s one step away from them. I know, I only saw him for a few minutes a couple times, and he didn’t do anything to deserve a punch in the face. Plus he’s your half-brother. But I’m not wrong about him.”

Nyall gave her a sideways look. “I shallnae ignore your warning, Caroline.”

“Good.” She stretched her arms over her head. “I really loved getting out of the castle today. I hope Brochan needs lots of shellfish.”

“You neednae serve the cook like some kitchen maid.” His tone changed as he said, “You’ve a chance for a better life than that if you stay. The commander would make you a good husband and protector. He’s much favored among the Finfolk.”

Why was he pushing her to make Jamaran her ball and chain? And why did he sound so upset?

“Yeah. My mother would have loved him.” She suspected Gina would have made a play for the aquatic herself, as she’d shared Caroline’s penchant for fair-haired blue-eyed men. “I’m the real problem here. Even if I wanted to live underwater for the rest of forever, I’m not cut out to be a wife. I’m more like the girl you go out drinking and carousing with late at night. Like we did in a very nice way just now. It’s a shame you haven’t invented billiards yet. I’d teach you both how to—hey.”

Lightning crackled overhead as he pulled her to a stop, his fingers curling into the sides of her wet suit. “Say that again.”

“Say what?” Why did he look like she’d just kicked him in the balls? “That I’m not the wife type? You already picked up on that, didn’t you?”

Nyall put his arms around her, holding her tightly for a moment as his chest heaved against her breasts, and his fingernails scraped the neoprene.

“You don’t want me to marry your friend.” She liked being this close to him, and wondered if he would make his own move now.

“’Tisnae a choice I may make for you.” He released her. “My apologies. I drank too much whiskey.”

“You barely touched that hooch.” Why would he hug her? The captain was definitely not a hugger. “You really thought I was going to choose him, didn’t you? That wouldn’t work, you know, not when you and I are like this with each other.”

He took a step back. “’Tis naught between us.”

“Yet.” Caroline might be a little drunk now, but not from the whiskey. “You want me as much as he does, but there’s something else. Something you don’t want to tell me. What?”

“You imagine such.” He started to walk away from her, and then came back and put his hands on her arms. “I shallnae match his offer. I cannae wed you, ever.”