by CK Dawn
Hayjen tilted his head up and smiled at Gwen as she plopped down into the grass next to him. She tipped her head back, eyes closed with a smile on her face. Her love for the sun hadn’t changed in the least.
“Enjoying the peace and quiet,” he said.
“Now that I believe.” She cracked open one eye. “I’m happy you’re home.”
“So am I.” He swallowed hard and tried to think of something else to say. When he was on the Scythian ship, he’d imagined having conversations with her—but now that she was within arm’s reach, he didn’t know what to say. So he said nothing.
“You know you can talk to me, right?”
“I know.”
“Is it,” a pause, “a woman?”
“What?” he asked sharply.
Gwen opened both eyes and stared at him shrewdly. “You’ve disappeared each night, only to return in the early morning.” Her mouth turned downward. “Mum taught you better.”
“It’s not a woman.”
“If it’s not a woman, then where are you going?”
“Out.”
Her eyes narrowed. “That’s not an answer.”
“Sis, it’s all you need to know.”
“Why?”
“For your own protection.”
Her hand settled atop his. “Who is protecting you?”
The concern in her voice touched him. “I am alright.”
“You’re the furthest thing from alright.” Hayjen stiffened, meeting her serious eyes. “You carry darkness around with you like it’s your own personal cloak. Your smiles are forced and there’s no light shining from your eyes.”
He dropped his gaze to the grass, hating how much she really saw. “Sometimes the light is snuffed out.”
“No one has that power over us unless we allow it.”
“What do you know of it?” he retorted.
“Enough to know that you’re in pain. Let me in, Hayjen. I can help.”
“You can’t change the past.” No matter how much he longed to.
“No you can’t, but you can come to terms with it. Speak and I will listen.”
Hayjen swallowed and let one word roll off his tongue. “Mer.”
“Mer,” Gwen repeated. “What does it mean?”
“Glittering Sea.”
“Pretty.”
A smile bloomed across his face. “She was. Mer’s hair was so blond it was almost white, and she had the loveliest lilac eyes. Her giggle was as infectious as her sass.” His smile melted when he looked at Gwen. “The Scythians enjoyed tormenting her and I couldn’t bear to see a child treated that way.”
His sister gasped. “A child?”
“Yes,” he choked out. “She latched onto me and I to her. I made sure she was fed, her wounds bandaged. I tucked her in at night and said a prayer with her. It was like she was—”
“Yours,” Gwen breathed.
“I promised her that I would get us off the ship and that I would look for her parents. If I didn’t find them, I planned on keeping her.”
His sister blew out a breath before asking, “What happened to her?”
Mer’s happy face flew through his mind as she waved to him before disappearing over the side of the ship when black fins gleamed. Bile crept up his throat. He wouldn’t wish his nightmares on anyone. “She was murdered.”
“Stars above, Hayjen. Did you alert the authorities?”
He barked out a harsh laugh. “Do you really think they care? Like they care about Scythians torturing their people? No one cares but me. Don’t let it be said that justice doesn’t prevail.”
Gwen stilled. “What do you mean?”
“That filth won’t get away with what they did. They will come to a violent end as terrible as their souls.”
“That’s not justice, that’s revenge.”
“In this case, it’s the same.”
“No.” His sister shook her head, her braid whipping through the air. “It’s not. You taught me that as a child. You’re seeking revenge.”
Hayjen glared at his sister. “Does she not deserve justice?”
“Yes, but not by your hand.”
“I won’t let them get away with this.”
“You won’t let them get away with this? Who appointed you judge, jury, and executioner?”
“You don’t understand what it is like to lose someone.”
“How can you say that to me? I lost mum and papa just like you did, not to mention I lost you for months. I thought you were dead!”
“I did die. The Hayjen you knew died on that ship along with a little girl. I will wipe them from this world so they can’t hurt another.”
“It’s murder.”
He glared at Gwen and she glared right back, rising onto her knees.
“Your thinking isn’t clear,” she said.
He scoffed. “It’s the clearest it’s been in a long time. They need to be put down.”
“Like animals? Are you even hearing yourself? They’re still human, despite their wrong actions. Human beings.”
“If they act like animals, they should be treated like animals!” he bellowed, jumping to his feet.
“It’s murder!” Gwen yelled back, standing up, her chest heaving.
Colm poked his head out of the forge, looking concerned. “Is everything okay?”
Gwen broke their stare off, peeking over her shoulder at her betrothed. “We’re alright. We’re just talking.”
The swordsmith glanced between them before disappearing into the forge. Gwen turned back to him, sadness in her eyes. “Have you thought of the cost? Truly? If you go down this path, then you will become the thing you hate. You will become just like them.”
Hayjen slammed his eyes closed like it would keep her words from taking root. Mer deserved justice and so did he. “I need this,” he whispered and opened his eyes. “Gwen, I need this.”
Her face crumpled as tears filled her eyes. “You don’t—you just can’t see that.” One sob escaped her, breaking what was left of his heart. “You were right when you said my brother died on that ship. I don’t know who you are. And I can’t save you from yourself.” She closed the distance between them and grabbed his hand. “I love you. You’re my brother. You’ve been my only family for so long. But if you choose this path, you can’t be part of my life anymore.”
He stiffened, his eyes darting between her hazel ones. “Are you threatening me?” he choked out, everything going numb.
She shook her head violently. “No, just stating the truth.” Gwen pulled his hand to her flat belly. “I have to protect my own.”
The numbness burned away at her implication. “Are you pregnant?” he hissed. Hayjen crooked a finger under her chin so he could look into her eyes. “Gwen, are you pregnant?”
“Yes.”
Hayjen’s eyes dropped to her belly. His sister would have a child. His unmarried sister. “I’m going to kill him,” he growled, moving to go around her. His sister latched onto his arm. His angry eyes met her tear-filled ones.
“We’re married.”
For the second time that day, he went numb. She turned to look at him, guilt written on her face.
“I didn’t want to overwhelm you. We had a simple ceremony. Colm and I planned on having a big one if,” she paused, “if you came home.”
His lips moved not of his own accord. “It’s wrong to lie even if it’s to spare another’s feelings.”
“I know, brother, you taught me that. I’m sorry for not being honest.”
His sister was going to be a mother. “Well, Colm didn’t waste any time.”
Gwen blushed then scowled. “I’ve always wanted a family.”
She always had. It had been his dream too, at one time. Hayjen dropped to his knees and stared at Gwen’s skirt like he could see the baby.
“There’s nothing there.” She smoothed her skirts so he could see her belly.
Carefully, he touched her belly and smiled. “Hello there, baby girl. I’m your uncle Hay
jen.”
“How do you know it’s a girl?”
“Because you deserve to have one as wily as you were.”
Gwen chuckled and sunk down to her knees. Her smile morphed into something much more serious as she clasped his face. “I want you to be part of our lives, but you need to decide what is most important.”
“My decision was made the moment you told me you were pregnant.”
Her sunny smile broke out on her face. “Thank God.” Gwen gestured to her face and more tears poured down. “Damn body. All I do is cry.”
He kissed her forehead and helped her to her feet. “Mum did the same thing with you.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Truly. As a little boy, I didn’t know what I’d done wrong. Papa had to explain to me that it wasn’t my fault.”
“I wish they were here.”
“Me, too.”
“You hungry?”
“Always.”
Gwen led him inside and he felt a twinge of guilt at the happy smile adorning his sister’s face. He’d told her the truth—his decision had been made the moment he found out she was pregnant. It just wasn’t the decision she hoped for. Hayjen was more determined than ever to make sure no one could hurt his family.
Time to hunt.
Nine
Lilja
“You sure you won’t come with us, Captain?”
She smiled at her rambunctious crew, shaking her head. “Do you remember the last time we descended on Sanee? Chaos and mayhem was the result.”
“You just want to finish your book!” James shouted.
Lilja chuckled; her men knew her well. “That may be the case, but it doesn’t make the former any less true.”
“We didn’t cause that much mischief.”
“Tell that to the pub owner.”
James shrugged a shoulder and charged forward down the dock. “To the ale we go!” he shouted.
She watched them joke and make a spectacle of themselves as they moved further away. “Hams. I have a crew made up of hams.”
“The perfect fit, I must say.”
Lilja stiffened then relaxed. “Damn it, Blair. Don’t sneak up on me.”
Blair leaned against the railing, his dark eyes glittering with mirth. “Don’t be so obtuse. Then I wouldn’t be able to sneak up on you.”
“You and your warrior sneaking skills, useless,” she muttered under her breath.
“Increased hearing as well, Lil.”
She smiled sweetly. “Didn’t forget.”
His eyes narrowed and a sly smile crept across his face. Lilja stared at him with wide eyes. That look never boded well. “I am just going to go read.” She began backing away and paused when his body stilled. “No!” she shouted as she spun to sprint towards her study.
Three steps. She only made it three steps before a large arm wrapped around her middle and the other was tickling her neck. “Stop!” she screeched in between bouts of giggles.
“Not until you admit that my skills are far superior and that you couldn’t survive without me!”
“Never!” she growled between teeth.
“Okay then, Captain.”
The tickling intensified so much that she couldn’t breathe. “I give,” she wheezed. “I give. Your skills on land are far superior to mine and I couldn’t survive without you.”
“Not quite right.”
“You couldn’t beat me in a swimming race and you know it.”
Blair paused in his tickling. “I will concede that.”
He set her down and Lilja straightened her clothes, scowling at him while he grinned. “No more of that.”
“I can’t help when the fancy to tickle you strikes.”
“Sure you can. It’s called keeping your hands to yourself.”
“Where’s the fun in that, Lil?”
Lilja smiled at his good-natured ribbing. It wasn’t often that Blair was playful. When he was, she treasured every moment. “What are you doing this evening?”
“Fishing, lounging around.”
“Fishing?” she scoffed. “When is the last time you fished for fun.”
“My point exactly.”
“Mmhmm…well I am going to finish my new book, so don’t interrupt me. Then, I may go for a swim.”
His face grew serious. “This close to other people?”
“I’ll be careful. When I get back, most of them will be so deep in their cups that if they managed to spot me, they would doubt what they saw.”
“Just keep your senses.”
“Always do.”
She waved and sauntered into her room, excited at the prospect of an evening to herself. Grabbing her snack off her desk, she moved to the nest of pillows and blankets in her window seat. With a grateful sigh, she sunk into the nest and squirmed until she got comfortable. Time to find out if the maiden found her true love.
What an ending!
Lilja blinked and rubbed her eyes. She glanced around the room, squinting. No wonder it was hard to see the words. Almost all the light had faded from the room. She laid her book down and stretched as she stood. A happy groan escaped her. Why did stretching feel so good? She dropped her arms, scanned the room and spotted her seal skin.
She marched toward it and snagged it off the rung. She couldn’t wait to go for a swim. The seal skin suit made it so easy to glide through the water with speed. Lilja slipped on the one piece suit created for speed and wrapped a robe around herself. She snuck out of the room and out to the railing. Quickly, she surveyed the area. No one was around. She threw her robe over a barrel and climbed over the railing. Lilja sucked in one last breath before pushing off the side of the ship and into a dive.
Her skin tingled all over as the sea welcomed her back. She sucked in a breath and grimaced in pain as the air was shoved out of her lungs and her gills opened. The transition wasn’t painless, but it was manageable. Lilja allowed herself to sink to the ocean floor, sand cushioning her knees. She opened her eyes and pushed the tendrils of her hair out of her face. There was nothing like swimming in the sea. Life teemed everywhere. Fish, crustaceans, corals, and sea stars decorated that land she called home.
Peace engulfed her, causing her to lie back and float. She soaked in the murmur of the sea. The quiet melody it was always singing. Little fish darted in, tempting her to give in and join their game of tag. Lilja swatted at them playfully and enjoyed her peace. When the little inhabitants of the sea went silent, she smiled. She sat up—her hair floating around her—and smiled at the dark creatures waiting for her silently.
The Leviathan.
She pushed from the sand and glided towards the beasts feared by many. She stopped before the alpha and hummed a little tune. All the Leviathan hummed in excitement. They loved to race. Lilja held her hand out in offering. The immense beast slid forward and bumped her hand, its black eyes never leaving her. She smiled and darted below her new race partner, gaining a head. Her muscles burned as she swam as hard as she could. A series of happy hums vibrated through the air. The race was on—it wouldn’t be long before they passed her.
Sure enough, within moments the first of the dark shining beasts whipped above her and moved ahead. Dark shapes surrounded her, gliding in and out in patterns that astounded her in their beauty. Breathing out, she paused and continued to glide through the water. The alpha paused, noticing her slowing, and swam back to circle her. She was out of shape. No beast or man could outswim a Leviathan but she used to be able to keep up for a time.
She smiled when a young one bumped her with its nose and rubbed against her side. A sound like a purr rumbled out of the youngling when she scratched behind its dorsal fin. Lilja grinned as, one by one, each Leviathan of the pod moved in to receive its own massage. Last was the alpha—he circled her and rubbed against her finally. When she scratched him, the purr almost startled her in its loudness. Carefully, she ran her hand along his fin and floated above. She hummed her race song, hoping he would allow her to ride with him.
When they arrived at the coastal shelf, Lilja let go of his fin and swam around him. Again, she held her hand out respecting his choice to say farewell. He bypassed her hand and bumped her in the face. Honored and surprised, she wrapped her arms around his snout, avoiding the huge sharp teeth, and kissed his slick skin. “Thank you for the honor,” she hummed. Lilja waved to the pod as they faded back into the darkness and slowly swam towards the harbor where the ships bobbed.
She stopped to flip a crab over and smiled as it scuttled away. The little crustacean would live another day. Satisfied with her swim, she moved towards the moonlight dancing on the water. Breaking through the surface, Lilja sucked in a breath. Her gills closed, forcing the water out of her lungs. She coughed, sputtering up sea water until her lungs were finally able to suck in great lungfuls of night air. She scanned the area before climbing up the rope ladder, which hung over the railing. Speedily, she reached the railing and hauled herself over. Lilja threw her robe over her seal skin and spun, moving towards her room.
The Lure would be strong, so she needed to get to her room. Something slammed into her back, crashing her into the hallway wall.
“Gods, you smell good,” Blair growled, pressing his nose against her neck.
Hell.
Lilja closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Blair, you need to think about what you are doing.”
“What?” he asked, sounding dazed as his hands caressed her waist and his nose skimmed her jaw.
She gritted her teeth. “You are reacting to my smell. It’s science, Blair. Hormones. This isn’t your choice. It’s my protection. You are supposed to want me. It’s who I am. It’s just the Lure.” His hands clenched on her waist then moved to the wall on either side of her, his face never leaving her neck.
“Damn it,” he mumbled against her skin. “YOU. JUST. SMELL. SO. GOOD.”
