“Tempest!” he called over the raging deluge around them. “You need to go inside and get out of this storm. It isn’t safe for you.”
Those blue-green eyes swiveled to him in utter shock and she gasped at the sight of him, half submerged and probably looking no better than he did. Still, he crawled toward her, needing to see her safely tucked into her little wooden house.
She snorted at that, indignant. “Not safe? Iamthe storm, Reed.”
A Sorry Excuse for a Storm Witch
TEMPEST
A
t first, Tempest thought she was hallucinating. There, just a few paces down the beach from her sat a merman. Or rather, the merman approached her, his turquoise tail dragging behind him and leaving a trail in the sand. She blinked repeatedly, trying to clear her vision despite the pouring rain and booming thunder.
She realized this was the man from the other night. The one who had run into her and told her he’d never had legs before.Reed. That shoulder-length black hair clung to his face and shoulders as he emerged from the water inch by inch.
Those hazel eyes seemed to look straight into her soul. Lightning flashed behind her, illuminating him in vivid detail. Tempest had no idea what he was doing here, on her beach, in the middleof a thunderstorm. No one ever came this far down the beach, where it was overgrown and untamed.
He reached her in moments. Shock warred with delight at the sight of him there, his beautiful tail on full display and those bright hazel eyes trained on her face. He reached one hand up, wrapping around the back of her calf as he pulled himself up.
Tempest tumbled to her knees, the force of his tug dragging
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her down to him. Like that, they were nearly eye to eye. The beautiful merman offered her a heart-stopping smile.
“So you are,” Reed whispered. “What a glorious sight.”
Her heart stumbled at the admiration in his voice. He wrapped both arms around her shoulders and pulled her close, his fingers tangling in her hair. His skin felt cool to the touch, clammy as the rain lashed at them. Yet his embrace was warm in ways she hadn’t anticipated. The feel of his strong, solid arms holding her tight in the midst of the storm that raged around them brought her an unexpected sense of comfort.
Tempest collapsed against him, all her anger dissipating. It felt so good to be held, to feel his hand running down the back of her head in a soothing, repetitive motion. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had treated her so gently, cared for her like this.
Her eyes closed and she sucked in a shuddering breath. “There, now. That’s better, my Little Storm,” he said softly. She peeked at him through her lashes, admiring the little
smile that turned his lips up at the corners. From here, she could practically kiss him if she breathed too deeply. Reed tucked her head against his shoulder, encouraging her to lean on him.
Her breathing slowly steadied, her heartbeat reverting to its usual rhythm. All around them, the storm began to calm. The lightning disappeared altogether, the thunder turning to a distant rumble.
Tempest nuzzled in closer to Reed, clinging to his chest. Within minutes, the rain had lightened to a drizzle.
“You really can create and control storms, Tempest?” he asked, meeting her eyes. “I didn’t know land dwellers could possess magic like this.”
“Oh, well, yes. I’m a storm witch,” she replied quietly.
He brushed the hair out of her face, his fingers brushing gently against her skin. “That is truly incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“No, don’t be impressed. I have no idea what I’m doing, honestly,” Tempest frowned at the admission. “I’m the only Storm Witch in my family, so I’ve had no formal training. All I can do is make it storm when I’m upset.”
“I’m sure there’s more to it than that,” replied Reed, his tone patient and gentle.
She shook her head vehemently. “There really isn’t. I’m a mess. And a sorry excuse for a Storm Witch.”
“I refuse to believe that, Tempest,” he held her gaze, his expression sincere.
“I’m so sorry, I cried all over you,” she flushed with embarrassment. “You must be freezing! Do you want to come in and get out of the rain?”
“Rain doesn’t bother me, since I spend all my time submerged,” Reed explained with a crooked grin.
“Oh…right,” Tempest bit her lip, feeling foolish.
