The Ocean’s City

It felt too hot, like I was stuck under lava stones, and my sweat created a furnace. I tried to push the weight off me, but it grew heavier. A muffled, sleepy groan made me realize I was covered in blankets and weighed down on Dalton’s body. His arms wrapped around me like I was a stuffed animal that had the power to keep the nightmares away. 

I tried to push him off me with more force, and when that didn’t work, I resorted to whining. “Dalton, it’s too hot!”

He jumped alert, ready for war, but his eyes showed a rare, intimate glimpse of how tired he was, making me feel bad for waking him. He looked around, and I did the same. We were in some kind of round tent. The bed was pressed against one side. The middle was a stove-like fireplace. The smoke flowed up the cylinder piece to the outside. The other side of the room had a chair, a small table, and a shelf. The tent walls were made from colorful purple and green, and a rug on the floor with every other object gave the room a homey feel. Dalton turned his attention back to me, wrapping his arms around me and pulling us closer together. I moaned.

He found my ear and whispered. “Please let me enjoy this moment. You in my arms. Finally, getting some sleep. It’s a pure bliss. You’ve no idea how badly I have craved.”

I placed both hands on his shoulders and made some distance between us. “But Dannie.”

His fingers played on my lips, reminding me to be careful. His eyes wandered to where his fingers brushed, and he lifted his head, and his lips met mine. So tenderly that my body relaxed into him. He took that as his moment to push me under him and drag the kiss out. His hands softly played in my hair. His tenderness tempted my tired mind with promises of rest, and I almost gave in for a moment. My body was warming up to him, taking in his sweet masculine smell, when Ian’s soft, boyish whisper timidly interrupted.

“Brother… um, sorry! Hutson is back.”

Dalton nuzzled the nook between my neck and shoulder, releasing a huge sigh. I let a similar sigh out but was completely silent, too confused with all these puzzle pieces that didn’t seem to connect intimately with Dalton. He kissed my cheek before rising off me. “Get dressed. We are leaving.”

“Wait!” I caught his arm. He looked at me with hope, and I wanted nothing more than to wipe the hope away. “Where…where is Fran?”

He frowned. “Your sister is doing an errand for me. You will see her soon. Now get dressed.”

He stood, walking to a wooden wardrobe, pulling out oversized fur coats and pants, then tossing some of my way. I caught them feeling how warm they were. As he dressed, I realized I wasn’t wearing the same clothes I fell asleep in. I looked up at him in question, and he just winked with a boyish grin, taking a pair of boats and striding toward his brother. “We will be outside!”

I threw on the heavy blanket and wasted no time getting dressed. It was time to find Dannie. I was out of the tent in no time to see Hutson unrolling his sleeve. He had the same symbols edged in his skin, and I got a clip of their conversation before Hutson saw me and let the words die out. “It’s not as strong as yours, but sh—”

The other two turned to see why Hutson hadn’t finished his sentence. “What are we waiting for, then?” Dalton asked over his shoulder, and then he started walking towards several black and white dogs that stood when he approached, excited to do their jobs.

“Are you sure you want her to come?” Hutson asked, running to catch up with him, talking about me like I wasn’t there. I glared at their backs until Ian laughed and kindly gestured for me to follow along.

“Silvestia knows what’s expected of her.” For the first time, I felt like I actually liked Dalton. It was the first time he had ever stuck up for me, and I liked it. “Plus, if she messes this up. I’ll lock her in a faraway castle where only dragons dare roam. Mmm, maybe I’ll sew her lips shut, too, and the only person who will ever visit for all of eternity will be me.” My jaw dropped. He was joking, right?

“You should have done that from the start!” Ian laughed, causing both Dalton and I to give him a look.

“Sounds like you are very confident in her.” Hutson snarked as he continued walking to another sled and a row of dogs.

Dalton communicated with me silently. One look, and I knew he wanted me to do as he said on this trip.

“She is my wife. She will go where I go and do what I say without questions.” I nodded very slowly, so he knew that’s what I planned to do even though I still didn’t know why. I just knew he could change his mind at any moment, and I would sit around while they looked for Dannie.

He smiled and gestured for me to get on the sled. He stood behind me, wrapping his arms around me to control the reins. I caught him taking a deep breath of my scent before whistling to the dogs.