She blinked, stunned. JakdespisedDraevyn, cursing his very existence. He even did everything he could to make the man’s life a living hell while he was a prisoner aboard their ship.
Her lips parted. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying,” he started, lowering his voice, “that maybe it’s time you trusted someone who’s been fighting for you, even when you didn’t want him to.”
The words made her confusion only deepen. She lifted a brow. “You’re telling me to trust him?Youare tellingmeto trust Draevyn Rowe?”
This couldn’t be happening. Maybe this was all a dream, and she was still locked in a cell somewhere.
“Aye. I am.” He crossed his arms, meeting her gaze without flinching. “I can’t believe it either. But fuck, Esmi, that manburnsfor you. I’ve seen it first-hand. Anyone who stood in his way to get to you found themselves turned to ash.”
Her breath hitched, her gaze slowly moving back to Draevyn as he began speaking with Samwell and Tommy.
“That fucker lives up to his nickname, I’ll give him that,” he said with a laugh, and it made her smile. “And gods help me, I hate to say it… but he’s not your enemy. He’s notourenemy. He went against his own kingdom and brother. Even killed his own men. And all of it was for you.”
Jak—of all people—being the one to tell her this shook her more than anything else.
She let out a disbelieving laugh, shaking her head. “Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?”
“Don’t get used to me saying this.” He smirked, nudging her with his elbow. “I didn’t want to like him, and I fought it every step of the way. But his loyalty to you became undeniable.”
Loyalty. That very word was why she thought he betrayed her in Maerinys in the first place. But Draevyn had been faithful toher the entire time.
Jak glanced at her, his expression softening in a way she rarely saw. “And his love for you?” He gave a slight shrug. “Worlds will burn before he lets anything happen to you again.”
The words left her breathless. She stared at Draevyn, her thoughts tangling in ways she couldn’t begin to unravel.
“And for that,” he continued, “the Phoenix hasmyloyalty.”
Before Esmyra could respond, Jak gently took her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles. Giving a small nod, her first mate turned and walked away, leaving her staring after him in stunned silence.
CHAPTER 46
Esmyra
The wooden floorboards creaked softly beneath her as torches were posted along the deck, their flames barely holding the darkness at bay.
Esmyra couldn’t get Jak’s confession from earlier out of her mind. It was practically eating her alive. Not only that, but also how the velsinyte still somehow had a hold on her. They managed to wrap her wrist in hopes it would begin to heal, but without her powers, she assumed it would take weeks.
Just like a fucking mortal.She scoffed.
Regardless of her broken wrist, her entire bodyached. She wasn’t even sure if that was the right word for it. But the longer the pain lingered in her, the deeper it burrowed.
It crawled into her bones, perhaps even into the marrow itself. Every joint screamed, every muscle burned, and the pain threaded through her nerves like fire under her skin.
It wasn’t stabbing or searing, but heavy and endless. It began at her spine and pulsed with every heartbeat. It was as though something in her was breaking and knitting itself back together, only to break again.
Esmyra wanted to claw it out, but it was everywhere. It washer.
Sleep. Maybe she just needed to rest to get her mindright.
As she reached the steps leading below deck, a faint glow caught her eye in the captain’s office. She paused mid-step, her eyes narrowing toward the door. The curtains on the small window swayed just enough to let the flame’s flickering light spill out, beckoning her closer.
Her pulse quickened, sensing who was behind that door.
Esmyra was quickly beginning to realize that she’d always been able to feel his presence. It was like a comforting warmth she constantly craved.
Without really thinking, she changed course, her boots a whisper against the deck as she headed for the captain’s quarters.
