“Say that again,” she breathed, leaning in close.
His hands settled low on her hips before he drew her in, her body fitting perfectly against his. “Captain,” he breathed, sending goosebumps rippling along her neck.
Esmyra let herself melt into him, her fingers gripping the edge of his coat as she held her bottom lip between her teeth.
That was when the crew noticed.
“Oi! Get a fuckin’ cabin!” Ren boomed.
“Don’t worry about us,” Riven called from the bow, giving a thumbs up. “We’ll just steer ourselves.”
The crew’s cooing and whistles broke through the moment like cannon fire. Someone even dared to make an exaggerated kissing noise.
Esmyra groaned, rolling her eyes as Draevyn grinned down at her, tightening his arm around her waist. “We’ll finish this later.”
The promise in his voice made her pulse quicken.
When he released her, she straightened, slipping back into her role. “Alright, get your asses moving then!”
Draevyn strode to the main mast. “Helm, turn her south,” he called. He yanked the ropes tight to adjust the sails himself, muscles flexing with each pull.
“Trim the mainsail and steady your lines!” Esmyra shouted, racing up the steps to the deck, hair whipping in the wind.
As she took hold of the wheel, the rough, splintered wood felt warm from the sun as the salty air stung her skin. She tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing and tracing the horizon with a steady gaze.
The endless stretch of sky and sea lay before her. She took a deep breath, letting her hands rest on the wheel. A familiar pulse of power thrummed through her veins as the waters answered her call, surging beneath the ship.
Esmyra hadn’t felt her connection to the sea in so long. Triumph flooded through her as the waves welcomed her home, bending to her will as it urged them forward.
Esmyra pulled her office’s door closed behind her as the chilly night air met her skin. Most of the crew had disappeared below hours ago, leaving the deck still and lifeless.
She found Draevyn steady at the wheel, his broad frame cast in moonlight as the gentle breeze brushed his hair back. His eyes were fixed on the horizon until they drifted down to her. She gave him a small salute, to which he responded with a quiet chuckle that echoed to her.
Esmyra made her way toward the bow, the ship swaying gently in the waves as though in rhythm with her steps. But then she noticed the faint silhouette of someone already there.
A man sat on the edge, shoulders hunched slightly, head tilted toward the dark sea below.
Her head tilted in curiosity as she approached the figure. When the moonlight broke over his features, she realized it was Tommy. His usual joy seemed muted, his expression solemn as he stared out toward the never-ending darkness.
“Mind if I join you?”
Tommy glanced up at her and gave a short nod. “By all means, Captain.” His tone wasn’t sharp, but it wasn’t warm either.
She climbed onto the rail and lowered herself beside him,matching his posture as her gaze swept out across the silver-dappled sea.
For a moment, they just sat in silence.
“You know,” she started, “back when I had my own ship, I would come out here every night and just listen to the waves. It’s one of my favorite places to be. Especially when I need time alone to think.”
“Would you rather I left you to it?”
“Oh, no. That’s not what I meant at all.” Guilt rushed through her. Why was she so awkward at trying to comfort someone?
Likely because I’ve never felt the need to before.
She blew out a breath, shaking her head. “If I wanted to be alone, I wouldn’t have walked over here.” She turned toward him. “Is everything alright?”
“I feel as though I should be asking you that. But forgive me for not knowin’ the boundaries of my new captain.”
