Shattered by the Sea Lord - Starla Night Page 0,47
Dannika. I want your doubts and your miles and your worries and your hesitation. I want the you who is lost and afraid. I want the you who is finding her way again, and who comforts others even when she feels fearful herself. I want the you who works tirelessly for my warriors and cries tears of frustration because she cannot give them an easier life.”
He slowed and his incisive gaze pierced her very soul.
“And I want the you who is cautious with yourself, even though your natural urge is generosity, because you are not sure if you are ready to fully gift yourself to another soul mate.”
Her heart ached.
How did he see so much?
She cupped his cheeks. These were the bones of a proud, arrogant warrior. She teased her fingertips along his dark, expressive brows. “I wasn’t always like this.”
“And you will change again. Because although I want the you who is uncertain, I want even more the woman who knows her desires and claims her destiny.” He pressed another kiss to her tender fingertips. “I want to take that journey with you. Let me hold you when you cry. Someday, we will stand together, and you will smile.”
Her heart squeezed again.
“I keep thinking I’m going to get over Eliot’s death. ‘This will be the last time I cry.’ But I lost his wedding ring today.” She showed him her bare left hand. “I felt a lot of guilt for his death. We were visiting friends on the lake, and one afternoon I just felt too tired to go out. I’d gotten a sunburn the day before and still had a headache. He didn’t want to be rude to our hosts, so he went out on their new boat, and a sudden storm capsized it. Everyone else was fine, but Eliot didn’t survive.”
He remained respectfully silent.
“A thousand hours of psychotherapy assures me it’s not my fault.” She closed her left hand into a fist. “But even now, I can’t help playing the game of ‘What if?’”
“You are not to blame for the death of your first soul mate.” He touched her forehead with his. “But there is a different knowing in your body and in your heart.”
He was right.
God, he was always right.
The tears, somehow ever-present these days, pricked her eyes. In his comforting embrace, she successfully swallowed them down.
“It’s funny. You think grief is like a storm and when it’s over, the sun comes out. But it’s really like the waves of the ocean, cresting and falling. Usually, the tide’s going out, but every once in a while, a sneaker wave drags me in.”
“Then.” His embrace tightened. “I will stand on that shore with you even if the tide rushes over our heads.”
She chuckled, but underwater, it was more of an interrupted vibration. “Then we’ll both get wet.”
He leaned back and cocked a brow. “I am a mer. I am not afraid of wetness.”
That’s right. He didn’t fear drowning. Because no matter how heavy and deep her grief, he would float beside her, supporting her, just breathing.
Because he was her one.
She had loved Eliot whole heartedly. And now she came to Ciran with a cracked heart, and he loved her just as she was.
He loved her just as she was.
Tingles filled her veins like starlight.
The water seemed to heat between them. Her bare breasts pressed to his solid chest, her hip tucked to his, and her feet dangled between his ankles. His cock pressed, hard and ready, against her upper thigh.
He pressed a gentle palm to her chest. “You are feeling better. Rest now. I will hold you as you heal, and you will carry this strength into the morning.”
“Mm, I have a better idea.” She fitted herself more fully to his body.
He cupped her hips. “Better than sleeping?”
“I’m feeling kind of nervous about demonstrating my powers.”
“But you have already used them.”
“Right.” She nuzzled his cheek and nibbled on his inflexible jaw. “You have so much confidence. I want to drink it up.”
His chest rumbled with amusement. “I am not a vessel of water.”
“Are you sure?” She flicked her tongue against his earlobe.
He shivered and focused on her with new intensity. “I thought you would want to rest.”
“Hmm.” She rubbed her tightening nipples across his chest. “Suddenly, I’m not tired.” She tugged his lobe, causing another delightful shiver in him. “Because of nerves. I could use your advice.”
“My advice?” He hunted her mouth and took her lips, questing deep and awakening her senses. While kissing her, he vibrated,