“He’d have kept me landlocked,” she said, her voice sounding like it came from far away. “We’d known each other since we were children. Attended the community’s private school together. But once we both reached puberty, and I learned which element ruled me, I grew restless.”
Mikkel nodded, his eyes narrowing. “You would have pined for the sea.”
“And lost a great deal of power.” She shrugged and her gaze fell away. “I know that sounds selfish, that maybe I’m no better than Liliana,” she said, mentioning the witch they’d defeated when the council had come seeking the witches.
Renner grunted. “You are far above that bitch.”
“Well, it’s still true that when Bryn decided to escape, I told her I’d come, so long as we landed somewhere near water. Ever since we came to Bonne Nuit, I’ve felt…like I’m home. I’m stronger. My magic is more concentrated and focused. I think the council forgets that witches need freedom to walk the earth barefoot, to swim so we can renew our connections on a daily basis rather than just be trotted out for ceremonies.”
She took a deep breath and then laid her hand on his arm. “I’m trusting you to keep your promise.”
Renner bit back a flash of irritation but kept his features even. “Given time, I hope you’ll come to trust me. Your power is attractive, but not the reason I want you for a mate. We belong together. Aren’t you tired of being alone? Of shouldering all the responsibility?”
She wrinkled her nose. “If I say yes, will I be tripping over you all as you try take over my life?”
“We’re crew, Captain,” Mikkel said. “We’ll follow your lead.”
Renner patted her hand. “And although I hate the thought of you out here, with only these knuckleheads to protect you, I’ll get used to it. I know you’re capable and smart.”
“But you don’t really know how powerful I am.” She said it quietly but with certainty shining in her eyes. When she looked out on the horizon again, he noted the sea’s surface was no longer calm. A small dark cloud formed in the distance and the wind whipped up, tugging at their hair.
Then she lifted her hand, pointed her finger downward and twirled it.
“Spirit of the water, hear me.
Cradle of life, bend the wind to my will.
Around and around, as I will, so mote it be.”
Then she lifted her fingers, pinched them together, opened them and leaned close to blow across the top of her open palm.
As he watched, the winds picked up and began to swirl. The clouds darkened and punched downward to pluck up the water. A waterspout had formed.
The men rose, glanced at one another and then turned one by one to stare at her.
“You’ve made your point,” Renner said, raising his voice to be heard over the rising wind.
“Have I?” she said, lifting her chin. “I don’t need protection from any demon.”
There was a hardness in her eyes that he’d never seen. A raw anger that caused his chest to tighten. “You certainly needed us to battle for you. Ethan killed to keep you all safe. We were all prepared to lay down our lives.”
“But you didn’t do it without expecting something in return. Ethan certainly had a price.”
“Is Bryn unhappy? Does she look browbeaten? Do you think she considers herself enslaved?”
The boat began to rock as peaked waves arrived, but Renner didn’t demand she cease the magic. She wanted to prove a point, but so did he.
In the end, she gave herself a visible shake and turned her attention back to the darkened sky. She closed her eyes and the wind died down, the spout spitting as it fell back to the sea and the cloud drifted away.
She pulled her knees against her chest and hid her face.
Renner wasn’t sure what to do now. He glanced at the mermen. Elias jerked his chin toward her, telling him silently to move closer.
He did, easing down beside her and putting his arm around her back.
Slowly, the tension in her body left. She turned to him, opening her arms, and he scooped her into his lap.
“You don’t have a lot of control, do you?” he asked, rubbing his cheek against her hair.