They were each suspended midair. Draevyn’s hand was extended toward Azarian, flames bursting from his fingertips, but the witch’s spear was aimed right at her lover’s chest, far too close for comfort.
A sharp breath seized her lungs.
Esmyra released her hold on Levaia’s horns. She heaved herself up and raced forward, sprinting along the curve of its great neck. The slick scales beneath her feet vibrated with power, but she didn’t falter. Lightning erupted across the sky, illuminating her in a blaze of silver and scarlet as she leapt from the beast’s back.
The air swallowed her as the sea rushed up from below.
Her arm stretched toward Draevyn, and at her command, the water swelled like a living hand at his back. It formed a shimmering cushion, halting his fall just as her body collided with his. She pulled him into her chest, wrapping him tightly in her arms as the storm screamed around them. And together, they plummeted. She lost sight of Azarian as the sea curled protectively around them, muffling the impact of their landing as it cocooned them in its embrace.
The world dissolved into bubbles and silence as whiskey eyes met hers beneath the waves. A rush of fierce relief flooded her as muscular arms tightened around her waist before they began swimming upward.
They broke the surface in a violent rush, gasping as air filled their lungs. What remained of enemy ships were now far off in the distance, following the sirens south as they fled back toward Maerinys.
There was no sign of Azarian.
AndValorwas destroyed.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Esmyra’s stomach sank, her chest clenching tight as her eyes frantically scanned the floating debris, searching, begging for afamiliar face.
“Draevyn…” Her voice was raw and trembling as waves rocked them roughly against drifting beams of wood. “Where are they?”
“We’ll find them, don’t worry.” He held her close, jaw tight as his own eyes scoured the carnage.
Then—
“Drae!”
The shout carried over the water, and they both whirled toward the east.
“Draevyn, over here!”
In the distance, through the haze, only a few of Atlas’s ships remained afloat. Figures crowded the rails, appearing as shadows against the flames. Atlas stood at the bow, cupping his hands around his mouth as he bellowed his name.
And then a sharp, piercing screech tore through the sky as an owl swooped down near Esmyra’s head, its talons brushing against the sea before soaring back up and toward the remaining sails.
Jak.
Relief hit her so hard it nearly stole her breath.
Draevyn’s grip on her tightened. “If Atlas so much as looks at you with a hint of unease, I’ll fucking kill him.”
Without another word, he grabbed her hand to guide her, and together they swam toward the ship. Toward the one flicker of hope amid ruin.
The ship loomed over them, its body battered but still intact. Ropes were thrown down beside them, but Esmyra stopped Draevyn as he reached for it and lifted her hand. The waves answered her call, swirling beneath them and rising like living pillars as they buoyed them both upward. The saltwater wrapped around their bodies, carrying them smoothly toward the deck until the tide placed them both onto the planks.
Blankets descended over their shoulders from Atlas’s crew before they could even speak, the wool scratching against their drenched skin.
Someone pressed a second blanket around Esmyra before helpingher up to her feet. Her brows furrowed until she realized it was Jak, and she let out a whimper of relief.
Her hand lifted to his cheek. “Thank the gods you’re okay.”
His lips pressed together in a thin line before he gave her a nod, as if he wasn’t telling her something. “The only god I’m thanking is you. You saved what’s left of us.”
What’s left of us.
Draevyn’s shoulders were immediately gripped by men who helped him to his feet. Esmyra’s chest heaved as she glanced around the deck, taking a head count of her crew as Atlas’s men searched the floating bodies in the water.
