Calypso Magic (Magic Trilogy 2)

"Your back is dryer than mine, I'll wager, since you were using me for your nest."

He looked over at his once-fine leather boots. Even they looked damp and green. He was sore, clammy from a wet backside, and still off-balance from his encounter with that mongoose. He watched Diana rise and stretch, quite thoroughly this time. His body, without his permission, reacted immediately. "Damn you," he muttered.

She stared down at him. "I have said nothing untoward. Are you always such a curmudgeon in the morning?"

He rose and shook off the excess foliage that clung to his clothes. "That is the stupidest thing I've heard you say. For God's sake, our situation is hardly commonplace. I just hope I don't look as dreadful as you do." He stalked off to relieve himself.

Diana stared after him. "I would sail away and leave you here if I could," she said after his retreating back.

That brought a snort, but nothing else. Diana took care of her own needs, then made her way back to the beach. Lyon was already there, his face raised to the bright early-morning sun.

"The first thing to do after breakfast is to make ourselves some hats," she said. "The sun here will roast you like a fowl."

He didn't reply, merely looked out at the water. "Under other circumstances I would say this is the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. The water is crystal blue --- at least I think that's what the color is. And the beach, my God, the sand is white." He leaned down and took a handful of sand, letting the grains fall from between his fingers. "Just look, Diana, it's truly white."

She smiled, delighted that he loved her home. Her smile fell away quickly enough. Damn him, he'd tried to ravish her!

"After you are over your raptures, find a rock. We will have coconut for breakfast. Perhaps later I can find some cassava --- it's a root I can grind into flour and make some flat bread."

As she ate her coconut

meat, she busily planned what they would do. Unbidden, after she'd thought about the shelter they'd build, the image of Lyon, naked, covering her, came starkly into her mind. She could feel his fingers parting her, his mouth on her. She closed her eyes. At least she knew well enough that she looked perfectly awful. Surely he wouldn't be interested in repeating his ravaging. Unconsciously, she began untangling her hair with her fingers.

Lyon, amused, sat back and watched her. "I've never before eaten coconut. It is quite tasty. You look wonderful, Diana."

"Ha!"

Lyon leaned back, supporting himself on his elbows. "I just assumed that you wanted to make yourself presentable for me. With your hair untangled, you can lie on top of me and make your hair my blanket, along with your body."

She jumped to her feet. Hands on her hips, she frowned down at him. "I do not understand how you can even think about such things in light of where we are."

"Why were you trying to fix your hair, if not to seduce me? I've given you a taste of sex and doubtless now you'll be the one to attack me."

She had no answer to that and simply turned around. She said over her shoulder, "I am going to make myself a hat. If you wish to make yourself one, come along."

Within an hour, they had fashioned primitive hats from pal fronds. "I suggest you keep your shirt on, Lyon. The sun will bake you."

"I just wanted to flaunt myself for you. Without words, are you? Well, then, back to business. Do you have any idea where we might be?"

"I've been trying to figure that out. We can't be too far from Virgin Gorda."

"A fat virgin?"

She giggled. "Isn't that marvelous? Actually that island used to be the capital long ago before it was moved to Tortola. The name is due to the shape, which, as you can imagine, is quite large in the middle. As for exactly where we are, I truly cannot be certain. As for people living here, Lyon, I shouldn't pin your hopes on it."

"No, I shan't. I wonder how large the island is."

"We can explore later. Perhaps I will see something I recognize from another vantage point."

"All right, my dear. What is next thing on our list of things to do?"

He learned about guavaberries, a starchy fruit they would have to bake before they could eat it. Diana found the cassava and dug up the roots with a stick.

And all around them was lush beauty and so many bright flowers that Lyon gave up on remembering their names. "There is a turtledove," Diana said, pointing up at the low branch of what Lyon recalled was a cycad tree at a sleek bird with white wingtips. "The island of Tortola is named after it."

"It's the flowers I find truly amazing," he said. He plucked a scarlet hibiscus and gave it to Diana. Obligingly, she tucked it over her left ear.

"Very beautiful," he said, his fingertips lightly caressing her cheek. Before she could jerk away from him, he added, "Is my face as red as yours?"