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I fold my arms over my chest, and his eyes follow the defensive movement with great interest. “And if I have?” I ask.

He cocks his head, and when he steps closer, I scent something familiar. What is it? It’s rich and stings my nostrils.

“Then I would tell you to beware, Mr Billings. Captain Richmond was always persuasive, but it often had terrible consequences for people.” He pauses. “Fatal consequences, if you like.”

I eye him. “What are you trying to say?”

“Merely an observance, Mr Billings, but if I were pressed, I would advise you not to join Captain Richmond on his foolish quest.”

“You know he’s—” I stop myself with a curse.

“Of course, I know.” His teeth gleam in the eerie light. “There is little in this cove that I do not know. And I can tell you that joining him would be a foolish decision. My sources tell me that he will never win at his goal. It is as far from his reach as it ever was.” His voice is full of a cold amusement, but his expression turns suddenly coaxing. “Come, we have got off to the wrong foot. I am merely an observer who passes along his conclusions. Turn away from the smuggler, enjoy your time in the cove, and then return home…” He pauses and then continues silkily, “…hearty and well.”

The threat is obvious. This isn’t just about me. I have Levi to consider as well. The thought of this man near Levi makes my skin crawl. Then I think of Branok and the love that he wore so obviously for his Xander. Love that I’d be prepared to bet this man knows nothing about. Love I know all too well.

As if prompted by my thoughts, pink, gold, and silver lights run over my arms, and I inhale the familiar sweet woodsy scent.

The stranger’s eyes widen. “What is this devilry?”

“This is me telling you that I won’t do as you say, and that you can’t scare me.”

Instead of looking angry, he looks even more amused, and that’s somehow even scarier. “Oh, I believe I can,” he drawls. He tips his hat to me. “You’ll regret that decision.”

“I’ve regretted many of my decisions. It would be just one more. Goodbye.”

“What is that scent?” He raises his head, sniffing, and then freezes before winking at me. “Ah. Say hello to your husband, Mr Billings.”

“What?”

I don’t hear his response. Levi’s aura surrounds me and when I close my eyes I can feel the tug. It’s a rope in my hand—warm and silky and insistent. I let it pull me back.

When I open my eyes, I’m still on the beach and Levi is bending over me. He’s dressed in jeans and a jumper, and his hair is wet with rain. “You okay?” he says immediately.

I ache all over like I do every time I astral travel, and my head is full of cotton wool. Somewhere in the numbness comes a warning throb, and I wince when a sharp shaft of pain runs down my skull like someone buried an ice pick in my brain.

“I’m fine,” I say.

His raised eyebrow tells me he isn’t falling for any of my fibs, but he doesn’t call me on it. Instead, he helps me up. I’m shivering, which is hardly surprising as I’m only dressed in a pair of briefs.

“Why can’t I ever stop to put on clothes for these episodes?” I say.

He ignores me, helping me quickly into an old jumper of his and my sweatpants. I stomp my feet into my trainers at his direction, grimacing at the wet sand that’s gritty inside the shoes.

When I’m dressed, he straightens and immediately drags me into a hug. He’s warm and smells of comfort and home, and I snuggle in, making a happy sound as my shivering starts to ease.

“You okay?” he whispers into my ear.

I pull back. “I am now. How did you know?”

“Branok woke me up by banging all the doors in the cottage. I looked out of the window and was a teeny bit surprised to find my new husband capering around half naked on the beach. You should have told me it was that kind of honeymoon.” I snort and he presses a kiss into my temple. “What happened?”

I shake my head and wince at the pain. It’s getting worse, tiny lights sparking in my vision. “Can I tell you later?” He hesitates and I say pleadingly, “It’s not the right place to discuss anything. I don’t want to say the words in the dark.”

I feel like someone is listening to me, an awareness that makes my skin crawl. I remember the man’s final words and worry makes my belly feel squirmy. I need Levi off this beach and out of his sight right now. “I have a headache,” I admit. It’s the truth, but I also know it will get him off this fucking beach.

He immediately relents. “Of course. Let’s get you into bed. You can tell me whenever you’re ready, sweetheart.”

I feel a wave of so much love for this man. I don’t know when in my life I could possibly have done something to deserve him. If I had a time machine, I would always travel back to that time and do it again and again, just to ensure I’d meet him.