The Star and the Ocean (Book 1 in the Starborn Series)

Chapter Fifty-Nine

[Content Warning: Strong language]

"Em?" May called incredulously, scrambling to her feet. "Em!"

Chest deep in the water, the figure turned.

Yes, it was her.

Em's face, twisted with anguish, fell as she froze. Motionless, she let the waves nudge her closer to shore. Time came to a standstill as they gazed at one another in disbelief.

Em let out an elated cry. She pushed forward, spreading her arms so that the water before her parted into a clear path. Her bare feet slapped against the sandy sea floor as she ran back to the beach. Soaring across the last few strides, Em caught May in her arms and whirled her around joyously.

"You came!" she crowed, crushing herself into May with unbridled joy.

May was soaked and breathless and yet it was the single greatest embrace she had ever experienced.

"What are you doing here?" She pulled back so she could look Em in the face. She could hardly believe she was really there. "I thought you'd be long gone by now!"

Em took May's face in her hands, scanning her features as though memorizing every freckle and contour.

"Welkin didn't want me going to back to Omea so I begged them to let me at least wait here until morning. It was a long shot but I thought, just maybe, you'd come. But morning was getting close and I was having a hard time keeping it together, so..." Em gestured back to the ocean, looking somewhat ashamed.

"Oh, Emmy," May breathed, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry."

"What for?" Em replied with an incredulous laugh. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I told you I wanted to give us a shot and then I just left you-"

May silenced her with a deep kiss. She didn't care about apologies right now.

Breaking away, the last thing she wanted to do was stop but she needed to see Em's eyes.

"Em, I Iove you," she said. Her words rang clear and steady. "I should have told you and I couldn't stand knowing that I let you leave without saying it."

Under her hands, Em begin to tremble.

"Fuck," she whispered, her voice catching. "I wanted to say it first."

It was May's turn to laugh. "Yeah, I think Kai has words for you about that."

"Ah, shit," Em mumbled before pressing another kiss–harder, more desperate–against May's lips. "I love you. Holy fuck, I love you so much."

Just like the first time their lips met on the beach, the pair tangled themselves up in one another, savouring the warmth and security they found in the other's arms. A sense of calm spread through May like dye dripped into water and at last she started to feel whole again.

"May," Em whispered, burrowing her face into the crook of May's neck. "There's so much I needed to tell you. I was such a fucking coward, I should have just talked to you."

"It's alright," May insisted. "I overheard you and Welkin talking the other night and..." She sighed. "I was afraid to bring it up too."