“Judging by their treatment of you, I don’t find that hard to believe,” Eina said with a smirk.
“Yes, well, ogres do have the reputation of being brutish creatures with foul tempers and bad manners,” he said with a sideways smile in her direction. “But not every rumor we hear is true. I think you learned that the hard way about me.”
She gave him a guilty grin and shook her head. “You’re right. Vampires aren’t the monsters I thought they were. Maybe the ogres won’t be so bad after all.”
“We can hope.” Leo’s whole body shuddered. “And let’s especially hope that not all of them are like Earl and his brothers. I do not want to see the bottom of the sea again, anytime soon.”
Eina felt a similar shudder roll through her own body and she rubbed her hands up and down her arms to combat the chill. “So if we negotiate this treaty...”
“When we negotiate this treaty,” Leo interrupted with a dimpled smile.
“When we negotiate this treaty,” she corrected, hiding her smile. She liked his confident streak. It made up for her reservations. “Your brother will attribute this win to the mermaids? And he’ll support our bid for a spot in the supernatural world kingdoms?”
“Absolutely.” He nodded his head and pulled aside a branch for her to pass. “This will prove to him that you’re serious. My brother has a stubborn sense of honor. He’ll do the right thing.”
“Are you sure?” Eina bit her bottom lip. She’d never met the king. Didn’t even see him at the wedding, although he had to be there. “What if he turns us down?”
“Eina.” Leo grabbed her hand and held it tight. She quivered at the feel of his skin against hers. Try as she might to fight it, every moment she spent close to him, he only seemed to affect her more. “I give you my solemn vow that I will see this thing through. Can you at least trust me?”
She looked up into his somber eyes, her doubt washing away once and for all. Leo’s plan was going to work. He wasn’t going to let her down. She could feel it in her scales.
“Yes.” She smiled at him. “I trust you. I was just having a moment of doubt.”
“Don’t worry, shark bait.” He reached out his other hand and placed it softly against her cheek, caressing the corner of her mouth with his thumb. Butterflies jumped to life in her stomach. “We’ve got this.”
She stared at his mouth for a long moment, wishing that he would lean down and kiss her. Every nerve in her body cried out for his touch. He moved toward her, as if he shared her thoughts. Her breath caught in her lungs as his hand slid down her neck and behind her head, into her hair. He leaned in to place a scorching kiss on her cheek for a mere second, and then turned suddenly to press on into the forest.
Eina stared after him for a long moment, unsure what had just happened. Part of her thrilled at the intimate moment, but the other part of her longed for so much more. He was going to confess his feelings on the island, she just knew it. Despite the short time together, there was an energy between them. It was undeniable. But then, he went and kissed her like a friend. It just didn’t make sense.
He had disappeared into the woods without her. Eina glanced at the da
rk brush beside her, wondering if anyone else had witnessed the exchange. She shrugged and swallowed down her disappointment in the kiss, telling herself to get a grip.
She had more important things to worry about.
?
They hiked further into the forest with no sign of the creatures. The darkness was so thick that it seemed to play tricks. Leo’s eyes darted back and forth, taking in their surroundings. Every once in a while, something flickered in the shadows. A pair of eyes shone in the brush. A branch snapped behind them. After what seemed like hours of Eina jumping at strange noises, he decided they should pause near a stream to rest and regroup.
“Leo, I’m not so sure we’re alone,” Eina muttered, sitting next to him on a fallen log.
He’d been staring off into the shadows, his attention alert.
“You’re definitely right,” he said.
Another branch snapped off to their left. He reached down and took her hand in his, his fingers interlacing with hers. She gave a small gasp and he wasn’t sure if it was because of his touch or because of the terror of being followed. He squeezed her hand for comfort and rubbed a thumb along the back of her hand.
“Whatever it is, stay close to me,” he said in a low voice. “I’ll protect you.”
He meant it, too. He’d lay down his life to keep her safe.
They sat like that for another minute, the rapid pulse of the blood through the veins in her hand the only indicator of her fear. She’d managed to steady her breath and watch for signs. She was being so strong. Leo wished he could tell her to turn back now. That he’d insisted on doing this alone. But it was far too late to become the knight in shining armor she deserved.
A strong odor suddenly descended upon them. It was a combination of freshly cut onions, landfill, and moldy laundry. The hikers jumped to their feet as six hulking figures burst through the brush and encircled them, their faces hidden in shadow.
Leo bent his knees, ready to strike, but felt an unfamiliar sense of hopelessness. Maybe, if he were by himself, he could take them all. But as strong as Eina was, she’d be snatched up in an instant. He had to play it cool.
“We’ve come to request a meeting with your leader,” he announced, straightening his spine and raising his chin. Maybe all this situation required was a little finesse.