Tommy gave a soft, gruff laugh, like he didn’t quite know what to do with the affection, but he didn’t move away either. “Careful, Captain,” he muttered. “If the others see this, they’ll think you’ve gone soft.”
She was quiet for a moment before admitting, “I think they’ve already started to realize that. As have I.”
Esmyra had always prided herself on being ruthless, but after opening her heart and allowing Draevyn to crumble her walls, it had a rippling effect. Shedidcare. She cared so deeply for her crew, and she would do anything to keep them safe.
If that made her soft in the eyes of others, then so be it. But for her, they had become her strength. Esmyra had zero desire to crawl back into the lonely pit of darkness that had swallowed her these past several months. She thought back to the night she reclaimed her divinity and Kaelypso’s power, stating what she feared most waslove, of all things.
Love wasn’t a curse or weakness. Love was the greatest power of all. It was fiercer than any fire or storm, stronger than any crown or blade, and brought even gods to their knees.
The stars above glittered like jewels and the ship rocked gently beneath them. She closed her eyes briefly, letting the comfort of that knowledge settle into her, bringing her a rare kind of peace she hadn’t known existed.
CHAPTER 57
Draevyn
From where Draevyn stood on the quarter deck, he caught the spark in Esmyra’s eyes as she came back from the bow with Tommy.
She looked happy, laughing off something he’d said. Her laughter had become the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard. It was so rare, like a gift to his ears whenever one slipped from her. And since they’d saved her and removed the velsinyte, it seemed to be all she was doing.
It was bringing his Wildfire back to life.
Esmyra glanced up at him, grinning before she lifted her hand and crooked her finger in a wicked little beckon to summon him. Heat coiled in his chest, and he rushed down the stairs, following her as she went into the captain’s cabin.
Draevyn barely had time to turn the lock before she was on him, springing into his arms with a laugh as her lips crashed into his. The force of her kiss stole his breath, all fire and demand.
He snapped his fingers and all the candles in the room burst with a subtle flame. Heaving her up in his arms, he turned and pressed her back against the door, her legs wrapping around his waist as he deepened the kiss. His teeth grazed her lower lip before his tongue slid against hers.
Draevyn’s hands gripped her thighs as hers tangled in his hair,both of them devouring the other in a clash of heat that left the room spinning around them.
“I need you,” she breathed against his mouth, tugging him closer.
The words lit a fire within him. He cupped her breast, pulling it from the top of her shirt as he teased her nipple with his thumb. His lips trailed down her neck, tasting the promise of her, while she pressed herself to him, letting out tiny, breathy moans that were quickly becoming his undoing.
Every touch, every gasp, every desperate shiver from her beneath his touch was a pull he couldn’t resist.
Esmyra reached down, unbuttoning his pants before reaching in to grip his cock. It jolted in her hand the moment her hand wrapped around him. He groaned low, his hands mapping her curves as she moved against him.
They were lost in each other, desire consuming every inch of space between them. The world had shrunk to the rhythm of their breaths.
And then a knock sounded, vibrating through the door against her back and slicing through the haze of their heat.
Both of them froze, lips still brushing, hearts hammering as they were pressed against one another.
When neither responded, the knock sounded again, followed by Jak’s voice. “Are you in there?”
“Fucking Irah,” Draevyn growled, pulling back just enough to glare at the door.
Esmyra began pressing light kisses along his jaw, following down the side of his neck. “Maybe if we’re extra quiet, he’ll go away,” she said breathlessly against his skin.
“It’s important, assholes!” Jak yelled.
“Maybe we should leave them be and tell them in the morning,” Jenli’s voice sounded after.
“We can’t wait that long! What’s wrong with you?”
“Tits.” Esmyra shot Draevyn a frustrated, longing glare. “Maybe we should continue this later.”
“Fine,” he grumbled, reluctantly placing her back down. Hepressed his lips to hers one last time in a promise before he stepped to the door. “Let’s get this over with.”
