Evocation

Chapter 10-From the Ashes

I wake up, the boat rocking harder than usual. I open my eyes to find I'm on top of Fenix, and last night comes rushing back. Fenix's blue eyes are open and smiling up at me.

"Good morning," he says in a sleepy voice that instantly turns me on. Or maybe it's the feeling of his morning wood against my thigh.

I stretch my body and my injured leg throbs. "Am I crushing you?" I whisper, feeling bad for ending up on top of him.

He wraps his arms around my waist tightly. "I like it," he smiles.

I grin before kissing him gently. His prickly chin and mustache tickle my lips. He kisses my lips softly and hold each other tight. I've never spent the night with anyone before, always quick to run after hooking up. Being close with Fenix is an intimate feeling I've never had before, but I find myself enjoying it.

Fenix groans, leaning his head back. His blonde hair falls back and exposes his forehead. "I really have to pee though," he says. "And Daegan's going to give me shit if I sleep all morning."

I sit up instantly, accidentally pushing on Fenix's body in an uncomfortable way. "Daegan? He's here?" My heart hammers in anticipation. I swallow hard, trying not to let my hopes up.

"Yes?" Fenix eyes me, confused. "But he's on night watch, so we rarely see each other these days."

I stare at Fenix in silence, but my mind flutters in a million directions. He's alive? How? That's seven crewmates that are alive. Did Hadrien lie to me? Why would he do that? Maybe I'm still dreaming.

"You okay?" Fenix touches my face softly.

"He's awake right now?" My voice sounds like it's coming from somewhere else.

"For another couple hours."

I jump up and open the door, nearly tripping on the cane I left there last night. I hunch over and pick it up, then hop as fast as I can towards the helm. I assumed Lorcan was there last night. If only I had checked.

"Slow down! Don't hurt yourself!" Fenix follows after me, wrapping a strong arm around my waist. "It's not like he's going anywhere."

I try to wiggle out of Fenix's grip. He's just slowing me down. Hobbling up the stairs is already taking too long for my liking. I round the corner when I get up past the stairs and to the deck, passing my quarters, looking around frantically. My mouth goes dry when I see Daegan standing by the mast, talking with Hadrien and Dean. I stop in my tracks and Fenix attempts to steady me.

Daegan's skin is warm and olive, just like it was before I went missing. His long hair is shaggy, wavy, and dark, just like it was before. His green eyes sparkle in the morning sunlight, just like they always have. A lopsided smile dances across his face as he talks to his friends, just like it's supposed to. He's alive!

I hop forward, drop the cane, and scurry out of Fenix's reach. Once I'm a few feet in front of Daegan, his eyes go wide at the sight of me. The smile on his face falls from his full, pink lips. I falter for a second, wondering if he's not happy to see me. Did I attack him while delirious, too? Is he afraid of me? Did he not want me to come back? We left things in such a mess.

Daegan bolts towards me, arms wide, and wraps himself around me tightly, spinning me in a circle. The air is knocked from my lungs as I let him embrace me and turn my world around. When he finally sets me down, I lean on my good foot, grinning up at him happily. Any doubt I had about him wanting to see me is gone with the wind.

Daegan's mouth crashes suddenly against mine in a fervent, hungry kiss. My soul rocks and crashes inside me, and suddenly I feel like a young girl again learning to fight against the ruthless waves of the ocean knocking me around. This kiss is unfamiliar territory in the most exciting way. Uncharted, dangerous waters that are too beautiful to steer away from.