Chapter 26
V.
Iko tried hard to keep Kashmir here. Her main strategy was to lower his expectations by convincing him that the human village wasn’t as fun as he might think.
“There’s nothing particularly delicious there. The food I bring back is the best they have. The same goes for their alcohol.”
She also attempted to instill fear by telling him how dangerous the village was.
“Do you know how many pirates are out there? I’ve had more than one close call with them. I barely escaped.”
“What? When?”
However, instead of scaring him, her words only angered Kashmir. He demanded to know where, when, and which pirates had dared to threaten her, completely diverting the conversation from her original intent.
“If anyone dares to harm my friend, the sea witch, they won’t live to tell the tale.”
Iko appreciated his words, but they left her with mixed feelings. It also bothered her that he kept referring to her as his friend, despite the fact that they had kissed. It felt strange.
“In return for your vow of revenge, give me a kiss.”
He was always finding some excuse to ask for a kiss. Could friends really act like this? It seemed ridiculous.
“Why do you like kissing so much?”
“Because it feels good.”
Does he kiss just anyone when it feels good? Iko felt uneasy.
She wanted to push him away, to tell him not to kiss her if he thought of her as just a friend. But the words wouldn’t come. Each kiss made her heart swell with joy, and she found herself thinking that as long as he stayed by her side, it might be okay to remain just friends.
‘If only things could stay like this.’
But Iko’s hope was shattered. After three months of struggling to take even a proper step, Kashmir suddenly began to walk.
“I finally got the hang of it.”
He started strolling along the beach without Iko’s help or crutches, smiling as he enjoyed the feel of the sand under his feet. But Iko couldn’t muster a smile at all.
“Iko, you should be happy for me.”
Iko, feeling frustrated that Kashmir didn’t understand her feelings, glared at him from where she stood, sulking.
“Congratulations.”
The words felt so forced that her face naturally twisted into a frown. Kashmir approached her and tilted his head, puzzled.
“Why do you look so upset?”
He teased her, saying she looked like the perfect example of a wicked witch, which only made her frown deepen.
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
She wondered why, with his usually rough nature, he was now speaking to her so gently. Despite her frustration, she could feel her expression softening against her will.
“I see, you’re upset because I haven’t kissed you today.”
Kashmir, having misunderstood the situation, placed his hand beside her head and lifted her chin.
“You really do love kissing, don’t you?”
His casual attitude made Iko feel a surge of emotion. As a witch who made potions, she had always felt that she maintained an equal footing with him. But ever since she fell in love, the dynamics had changed. Iko couldn’t shake the feeling that she had become the weaker one in their relationship.
“Let me kiss you now, so don’t be so upset.”
Even though she felt like he was playfully toying with her from above, she couldn’t push him away. Instead, she wanted him to kiss her. His attention, once just a nuisance, was now something she eagerly anticipated. She wanted him to care for her, to soothe her.
As their lips met and Kashmir gently sucked on her tongue, he pulled back, smiling. When Iko opened her eyes and looked up at him, Kashmir grinned.
“Was that not enough?”
The sly smile on his face showed he already knew the answer.
“Greedy,” he teased.
“I can’t help it, I’m a witch.”
Iko admitted, but she turned her head away, feeling a bit hurt by his teasing. She didn’t like being called greedy.
“I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”
Kashmir cupped her chin, turning her face back to him. His voice, once rough, had grown softer with each passing day. Iko couldn’t tell if he had truly changed or if it was just the curse of love deepening, making her see him differently.
“I like that you’re greedy.”
Iko wanted to ask why, but when he kissed her again, she couldn’t bring herself to speak. The sensation of his tongue against hers was too pleasurable.
Cautiously, she placed her hand on his chest. It was an awkward movement, as she had never tried to seduce someone before, but it was her way of trying to move to the next level.
“Why do you keep touching my chest?”
Unfortunately, it seemed her efforts were lost on Kashmir. He looked down at her hand on his chest with a puzzled expression.
Iko, feeling embarrassed, tried to pull away, but Kashmir wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.
“Since you touched me, shouldn’t I get to touch you too?”
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