Page 167 of Storm and Sea

Stefano nodded awkwardly and hurried after Irena like a nervous squirrel.

“I can’t believe you told him that,” Atreus grumbled, but Marina suspected he was more embarrassed that Nyel had heard.

“Oh, calm down, tiger shark, it’s what siblings are for.”

“You’re really playing into this whole sibling thing, aren’t you?”

“Abso-freakin'-lutely,” Marina said with a pop of her lips. “And I know you’re hurt and all, and I should be worried, but this is the best day of my life.”

“Alright, Rina,” Atreus said, rolling his eyes.

Marina squealed in delight. “Call me your sister.”

“You’re my sister,” he placated.

She squealed again, clapping her hands and wiggling excitedly in her chair. Nyel had to restrain her from jumping on him again.

After several long minutes, Atreus shifted uncomfortably on the bed, the pain starting to take its toll. Marina frowned at the door.

“What is taking the doctor so long?”

“Maybe he is with Edgar?” Nyel suggested.

“He can take his time,” Atreus said through gritted teeth, “The kid is more important.”

“And I’m happy to report the kid will be just fine,” said a voice from the doorway.

Marina’s head snapped up. Her mouth fell open as she shot to her feet so quickly that the chair toppled over with a clang.

“You!” she blurted, startling everyone in the room.

The doctor stepped inside, arms spread, white coat billowing open to reveal navy scrubs. “Me.”

He strode to the hospital bed, his eyes scanning the fresh stitches crisscrossing Atreus’s body.

Marina couldn’t believe it. It was him. The stranger. The one she’d danced with at the opening festival. The one she swore she’d never see again—though if she was honest with herself, she wasn’t sure she entirely meant it.

Heat flushed her cheeks as the memory resurfaced. She’d been curt, maybe even rude. But in her defense, she’d had a lot on her mind that day. Still, him? Of all people?

“You—I can’t—you never told me.”

“Speechless, I know. I have that effect on people,” he said, eyes never leaving his patient as he prompted Atreus to lift an arm so he could inspect the bruising along his ribs.

Marina’s face turned a deeper shade of red. A sound escaped her—something between a growl and a strangled screech.

“You’re unbelievable!”

“Why, thank you.”

“That wasn’t—I didn’t mean—” she sputtered, her words dissolving as he smirked at her with amused patience.

“Good to see you too,” he said with a wink, his shoulder-length hair catching the light like a polished halo as he straightened. Reaching for a yellow folder, he let it fall open and scanned the page. Without looking up, he added, “I like the earrings, by the way.”

Marina’s hands flew to her ears, pulling out the delicate blue earrings she’d worn for the Bayallon. She hadn’t even thought twice about them.

“I wasn’t—they’re not—it doesn’t mean⁠—”

“My dear,” he interrupted smoothly, snapping the folder shut, “as much as I’d love to continue this thrilling exchange, I have a patient to address.”