Caleb leaned in toward me.

“It’s almost midnight. I still haven’t given you a birthday present.”

“You are my birthday present, Caleb,” I said, kissing his cheek.

“Maybe… but come.”

Intrigued, I slid my hand in his and he began leading me away from the clearing. I caught sight of Abby and Erik making out beneath a tree. They barely noticed us as we passed by.

My father, who was leading my mother in a slow dance, caught my eye.

“See you tomorrow,” he said, a knowing look on his face.

My mother looked toward us too and waved.

I nodded, feeling myself blush a little.

Anticipation was starting to light up my body as we moved further and further away from the crowds, becoming more and more alone. I couldn’t walk well in my dress, so once we had reached the main forest path, Caleb scooped me up in his arms and carried me.

We were about to leave the area completely when a figure stirred in the trees.

“Who is that?” I whispered.

Stepping out from the shadows was none other than Theon. Apparently, he had been witnessing the festivities from afar.

His brilliant amber eyes fixed on me. Caleb put me down on my feet. The dragon towered over me as I stepped toward him.

“Hello, Theon. How are you?”

He only nodded in response.

“We heard that you never picked a girl in the end.”

“You heard correctly,” he said, glancing briefly at Caleb before looking back to me.

“How come?” I asked. “Was no one here to your liking? We have plenty of ladies here on this island—”

“You have many fair and worthy maidens on this island,” he said. “But none are meant for me.” His smooth baritone voice only added to his calm demeanor.

“Oh,” I said, taken aback. “Then… what will you do?”

“I leave early tomorrow,” he said.

“Leave? Where will you go?”

“On a journey,” he replied.

“A journey to where?”

“To find a female capable of bearing my love.”

I paused. “Will you, uh, stay within this human realm?”

He nodded.

“You said before that you don’t go looking for partners yourself. That it’s your comrades’ job. Will they leave with you?”

“No. I have ordered them to remain here… It’s become clear that my lineage’s customs must be set aside in this case.” He paused, his eyes becoming distant as he raised his gaze toward the trees. The moonlight trickled down through the canopy of leaves, casting shadows upon the shifter’s tan, muscled chest that was partially covered with a thin cloth draped over his left shoulder. The silence of the forest surrounded us, the chattering of the party far away. A gentle breeze blew against our skin.

When he finally broke the silence, his gaze was still unfocused, his voice husky. “The wind is calling… and I must answer to it.”

I exchanged glances with Caleb, who shrugged.

“Well, perhaps one day we’ll see you again.”

“Perhaps.” His gaze lowered to my face, his eyes digging deep into mine one last time before he bowed his head slightly and disappeared into the night.

We remained rooted to our spots a few moments longer, staring toward the direction the dragon had retreated. Then Caleb reached for my hand. “Shall we proceed?”

Chapter 40: Rose

My husband picked me up again and sped up along the forest path. Soon, we had exited the woods and neared the shore. When we arrived at the Port, he set me down on my feet again. Then he stepped in front of me, blocking my view of the jetty.

“Close your eyes,” he whispered.

I did as he’d requested. He moved behind me, pulling my back against his chest. He placed one wide palm over my eyes to make sure I didn’t peek, while he rested the other one over my stomach. He walked forward with me, guiding me in my long dress and making sure that I didn’t slip. The floorboards creaked beneath us and after what felt like twenty feet, he drew us both to a stop.

“Keep your eyes closed until I say. I’m going to let go of you.”

“Okay.”

I had to fight the urge to not sneak a peek.

When Caleb finally did give me permission, I gasped.

Floating on the waves before me was a gorgeous boat. About fifteen feet long and ten feet wide, its frame was made of dark brown timber. There were four masts in each corner from which hung long drapes of crimson silk. The floor was padded with soft cushioned material and scattered with mahogany-red pillows. Candles lined the edges of the boat, making it glow in the darkness and look almost… unearthly.

Watching my face closely, Caleb stepped into the boat. Holding out a hand, he whispered:

“Sail away with me, Princess.”

My hand was unsteady as I reached out and closed my fingers around his.

He led me to the center of the boat and left me there while he moved back to the bow and cut us loose from the jetty. The boat began to drift, the calm waves carrying us away.

Caleb turned back to face me, gazing at me through his dark lashes. Positioning three cushions on the floor, he seated me on them before picking up a pair of oars that had been resting near the stern. He removed his jacket, sat opposite me and began to row.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him as he moved us away, the muscles beneath his white shirt rippling with each stroke he took.

He stopped once we neared the boundary of the island and I could no longer make out details of the Port in the distance.