In Deeper Waters F.T. Lukens (acx book reading txt) 📖

wear it any longer to remember you by.” He smiled tight, pain in the lines around his mouth and tears in the shadows of his eyes.

“You should rest.”

“As should you. If Garrett hadn’t confirmed it, I’d think you a ghost come back to haunt me for my failure.”

Tal shook his head. “You didn’t fail.”

“I left you.” Kest gripped his hand. “I never should have left you.”

Tal’s throat went tight. “You did what you thought was best. Neither of us knew their intent was to kill me.”

Kest closed his eyes and fell back to his pillow. “I shouldn’t have left you.”

“I forgive you.” Tal didn’t know why he’d said it. Kest didn’t need forgiveness from him. But maybe it would help him forgive himself.

“Thank you.”

“We should allow Kest to sleep,” Garrett said, abandoning his spot by the door, which he’d taken up to give Tal and Kest space to have a moment. “Come along, Tally. We’ll visit again tomorrow.”

Tal squeezed Kest’s hand. “Good night.”

Tal was half asleep by the time he made it back to his room. He pushed open the door and sighed deeply at the sight of his bed within his reach. The pillows and coverlet looked the same as when he had left, maybe a little tidier, and he wanted to sink down into them and sleep for days. He shuffled forward, head bowed, and so focused he nearly forgot that he’d left Athlen in the care of his sisters. They were gone, as was Athlen. They must have found him quarters. Despite the appeal of his own bed and his utter exhaustion, Tal wanted to talk with Athlen before falling asleep, just to ensure he was all right. Tal moved to exit, but the sound of a small splash caught his attention.

“Athlen?”

Tal pushed the curtains to the adjoining chamber aside and wearily smiled at what he found.

Athlen was in a long tub, brilliant tail flopped over the side, his upper body submerged, arms crossed over his chest. He was fast asleep, copper hair floating in the gentle waves created by the flex of his gills.

Tal trailed his fingers over the water’s surface, finding it warm to the touch. His sisters must have woken the servants to draw a bath, then left Athlen to his own devices. Though it wasn’t salt water, maybe a good night’s rest would help Athlen to feel better. Maybe in the morning he’d be in less pain and he’d be ready to talk about his future. Their future together, if there was to be one. Tal wanted one. He wanted one desperately, and he’d do anything to show Athlen how much. He’d promised he wouldn’t leave Athlen behind. Hopefully, Athlen would promise the same.

Despite his fatigue, Tal took a moment to observe him—the peaceful state of his features, the freckles along his nose from his time in the sun, the webbing between his fingers, the scales that scattered along his torso and shoulders until they fused and overlapped beneath his navel into the pattern of his tail.

He was beautiful.

Tal’s heart lurched. Athlen missed the sea. Tal was home in a castle made of stone.

It was too much to think about right then, and Tal returned to his bed. He shucked off his disgusting shirt and trousers and crawled into the plush covers. With a sigh Tal closed his eyes, finally home, and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, the shark’s tooth clutched tight in his palm.

14

Tal was on the verge of waking when he heard the voices. They were low, nearby, but he couldn’t quite make out what they said. His name? He scrunched his eyes and curled tighter, knees to his chest, remaining still in the hopes that whoever it was would pass him by and allow him to sleep a bit longer.

Except the voices wouldn’t allow him to sink back into the darkness. He tensed when footsteps brought them closer, and when his arm was touched, he snapped his eyes open. He shot out of sleep between one heartbeat and the next. He grabbed the intruder’s wrist, bent it backward, and using his weight, flipped him over. They fell in a tangle of blankets and limbs. But Tal had surprise on his side, and he gained the upper hand, his knees thudding on either side of the intruder’s body. He didn’t hesitate to light the fire in his veins. Kneeling above, chest heaving, he splayed his right hand across the other’s chest, left hand raised above his head, steeped in flame.

Corrie screamed. Garrett shouted his name.

Tal blinked. Garrett sprawled below him, hands up, face blanched, and eyes wide, reflecting Tal’s magic.

Sweat dripped between Tal’s shoulder blades. Throat tight, he stared down at his brother, panic real and acrid, thudding hard beneath his skin.

“Tal,” Athlen yelled, running from the adjoining room. He was dressed and awake. “It’s okay! You’re okay!”

Tal gulped and nodded. He closed his hand, snuffing the flame. “I’m sorry,” he croaked.

Garrett patted the outside of Tal’s thigh, his expression troubled, but he forced a laugh. “Well, no more playing pranks on you, then.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. We shouldn’t have sneaked in here,” Garrett said.

“We didn’t mean to frighten you.” Corrie tangled her hands in the folds of her skirt. “But you’ve been asleep for an entire day, and we wanted to see you.”

Tal winced. “Oh.”

“It’s all right. But how about letting me up?”

Tal scrambled off Garrett and moved to Athlen’s side. Athlen appeared well rested, but he still wasn’t well. The bruises beneath his eyes had lightened, but the stiff way he held his body remained. Athlen brushed the back of his hand against Tal’s in a gesture of comfort, and Tal melted into it, the knot of terror easing with the gentle touch.

Garrett brushed off his trousers and straightened his shirt. “We have a council meeting this evening after dinner.” He looked to Athlen. “All of us.” Athlen shifted, bare toes flexing on the stones. “You need a bath,” Garrett said, wrinkling his