The village came alive with life upon Emma's return, yet everything seemed to her a little different now. The light was more vivid, the sounds clearer, and the weight of her new responsibility hung heavy in her mind. She had not spoken to anyone but Roran about her decision, yet somehow she felt that the secret of the ocean whispered through her every gaze, drawing curious eyes.
She still acclimatized to the avalanche of sensations, when the door to her house burst open and her older cousin Lira walked in, concern etched upon her brow. "Emma," she called, pulling her from her thoughts. "Where have you been?
She forced a smile, trying to be as normal as possible. "Just…exploring the cliffs," she said, shrugging, hoping Lira would let it alone. But Lira's eyes were sharp, and she took in every detail, from the sand that was still clinging to Emma's feet down to the little cut on her wrist from where she had trekked into the cave and the distant look in her eyes.
There's something different about you," Lira said, her tone uncertain. "You're not telling me everything, are you?"
Emma felt the prick of guilt but managed to shake her head. "It's nothing, really. Just. a lot on my mind.
Lira took it in stride, but as she left, Emma knew her cousin would be keeping a much closer eye on her from then on. Emma blew out a sigh, knowing full well this was only one question she'd be dodging. Her village friends and family wouldn't understand what she'd committed to, nor the change she felt inside.
Later that afternoon, Emma walked down to the shore, trying to clear her head. She moved silently, letting the rhythmic movements of the waves dampen the racing of her thoughts. She'd never felt this kind of tug from the ocean, this siren song that no one else could hear. The seductive charm of her new ability, subtle as it was, was a dizzying intoxication-and terrifying in its own way.
As she cleared a rocky outcropping, Emma saw another figure farther down the beach. It was Lira, speaking with a boy, though he had to be called young man now, she knew well—Finn, the fisherman's son and a talented sailor. Tall and confident, Finn had this charisma about him that commanded an audience. Emma had known him her whole life, but something now felt off-kilter. She could feel the shift in his gaze as his eyes landed upon her, lingering upon her in a manner they never had before.
Finn came toward her with a friendly grin on his face. "Emma! Haven't seen you around much lately."
A strained smile played across Emma's lips. "Just busy, I guess." But she couldn't help but catch the spark in his eyes, too-a flicker of intrigue that seared into her being. Yet again, it did brook the flicker of annoyance in Lira's eyes-an unsaid, bubbling rivalry beneath her usually silent exterior.
"You've been spending a lot of time by the shore," Finn said, nodding in the direction of the ocean. "Something calling you out there?" Anderson was saying it in such a way that Emma's heart went racing, though she kept her face neutral. "I like the quiet," she replied, hoping to say as little as possible. Yet, she knew about the pull between them, a tangible string now joining them built on secrets she now held within her.
Lira coughed, stepping between them. "Finn and I were just talking about the storm that is coming. It's said to be the biggest we've seen in years."
Emma lifted one eyebrow. "A storm?
"Aye," Finn said, leaning in closer. "It's coming in from the east. The waves are higher than usual, and some of the older sailors say it's got an unnatural edge to it." He seemed to study her-as if waiting for a reaction.
Emma's heart went into skips. She wondered whether the storm had something to do with the secrets of the ocean-the same secrets she just swore to protect. She shrugged, pretending it did not affect her, but Lira's gaze narrowed as if she was not fooled.
"Well," Lira said, an edge tingeing her voice, "we mustn't jump to conclusions. The ocean's always unpredictable."
Finn looked from one to the other, his eyes catching the tension, but he just seemed to be amused, not concerned. "Whatever it is," he said with a wink, "I'm betting Emma's got some ideas about it. She always had a way of seeing things the rest of us missed.".
She felt her face warm under his regard, and could not stem the thrum of excitement his attention brought. But her cousin's warning glance pulled her mind back to the complications that could arise when she grew too close, too distracted from her new path.
After a few minutes, Finn was off again, and Lira was alone with Emma. Lira wore an irritable and protective expression. "Finn's not someone to get involved with, Emma," she said. "He's charming, but he's always looking for something new, someone to impress."
Emma bit her lip as a flash of irritation crossed her face. "I can handle myself, Lira.
Lira's voice gentled but was no less firm. "I know you're stronger than most, Emma, but there are some things-some people-you need to be cautious with."
Emma nodded, her mind already skipping ahead to Finn's gaze, the pull of his charm, and the thrill she'd felt in his presence. She really didn't want to admit it, but the temptation was real, even if it was dangerous.
Later, as Emma lay in bed, the ocean's whispers still echoed in her mind. Duty tugged at her one way, forbidden attraction pulled her another. The pressures of her new role as guardian weighed upon her, yet part of her wished for the easy comforts she'd once thought nothing of.
She drew deeply upon the sigh, eyes closed. It was then that her mind embraced all the visions of an oncoming storm, the continued rise of waves, and the calling of her name by a voice that seemed as hauntingly familiar yet impossibly far away.
The storm is nearing, along with choices to be made-choices she will soon be forced to make that will challenge her strength, her loyalty, and perhaps her heart.