His eyes ached. His head spun. His cheek stung like he’d taken a good punch. Pinching his eyes shut, he traced his fingers over his scalp and came away with something clumpy and wet. It wasn’t blood—he’d recognize the metallic scent anywhere. It felt like—smelled like... “What the—” Mud squished through his fingers. He glanced up, trying to gain his bearings. He was in some sort of small cave with a ruggedly carved roof and muddied dirt floor. But the air was warm on his skin. A fresh and succulent aroma, like ocean breezes melted with vanilla, invaded Timber’s senses. He wasn’t alone. Fists clenched, Timber spun around in the dirt and sucked in a shallow breath as his eyes settled on a mermaid sitting at the back of the cave. Moonlight streamed through the entrance, illuminating Timber and his companion in an umbrella of soft, yellow light. Her back was flush against a muddied wall, her legs stuck straight out in front of her and crossed at the ankles.
