Sparks ignited and crackled along his shoulders, spilling into the air. “And what if you get hurt? If you’re weakened, Syrena could gain an advantage through the bond.”
Esmyra could’ve sworn smoke curled out from his nostrils as he tried to calm himself.
“What then?” he challenged, voice low.
Levaia’s head lowered behind her, hovering just above her as she straightened her spine, staring into Draevyn’s furious eyes. “I’ll kill her before she gets the chance.”
“It’s settled then,” Atlas said, pushing off the mast, and she could’ve sworn she saw fire lick at Draevyn’s fingertips as he turned to face his brother. “The caves are only a few miles east of here. We’ll sail there and get through them as quickly as possible to get into Maerinys. Then we’ll kill this bitch once and for all and rescue Elowynne.”
Esmyra’s gaze swept over her crew before giving a curt nod. “Aye.”
The word rang like the final toll of a bell.
Esmyra and Draevyn stood in a standoff of storm and flame, until finally, he gave her the barest of nods.
She inhaled sharply, letting her power surge in answer.
It rushed out of her like a breaking tide, her pirate guise unravelling in a blink as leathers and cloth shredded into flecks of light as if burned away by silver fire. What replaced it made the crew stagger back with wide eyes.
Kaelypso’s form took hold, and scales rose from nothing over her skin, layering one over the other until they became plates of brilliant armor. It shimmered with deep blues and greens that shifted like light through the water, glimmering every time she moved. Shoulder plates arched upward like fins while bracers wrapped her forearms that appeared as if they had grown from coral and pearl.
And then a crown formed atop her head, made of sharp, curling fins that framed her face, letting her silver hair spill out in waves.
Esmyra stood tall as a goddess clothed in the ocean’s wrath.
Levaia rumbled low in her throat, bowing her massive head in recognition and submission.
And then, eyes gleaming, Draevyn fell to his knees before her. His head bowed low, fists to the deck as his whole body bent in reverence.
I’ll follow you to the edge of our world and beyond, he had said.
One by one, her crew followed. Every man stared as though they had seen the sea itself rise in human form as they kneeled.
Her breath caught at the sight.
When they finally all rose to stand, Esmyra raised the spear high above her head, its velsinyte shard glinting wickedly at the tip.
“Tonight the Blood Moon bears witness to us,” she started. “Syrena believes her armies will crush us beneath their endless ranks, but she forgets one thing…” She slammed the bottom of the spear down onto the deck with a ringingcrack. “We’re pirates. We arenotthe hunted. We are the fuckingstorm!”
A frenzied roar erupted from the crew as feet stomped on the deck, fists raised as voices joined in a single deafening cry of agreement.
Esmyra slowly turned to Draevyn as the excitement exploded around them. The world fell quiet in her head, and with a small, wicked smile, she asked, “And what say you, Draevyn Rowe?”
His whiskey eyes fell to her lips, lust creeping in them before flashing her a grin. “Aye.”
One powerful arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against him as his heat seared through her armor. The other hand came up, cupping the back of her neck before he pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss was fierce, the kind that made the world drop away. It was a declaration. A warrior’s blessing and a lover’s vow. Together, they would destroy the forces who had kept them apart for several lifetimes.
Her spear trembled in her grip, the sea answering the rush of her heart as waves crashed against the ship’s sides.
The crew howled again, roaring louder as they watched.
When Draevyn finally pulled back, he didn’t let her go. His forehead pressed to hers before he whispered, “I’ll see you on the other side, Wildfire.”
CHAPTER 63
Syrena
