Syrena’s skirts whispered over the floor as she moved past him, striding toward the great arched windows that stretched wide across the chamber, where crimson moonlight spilled over the world below.
Beyond the glass, her fleets gleamed in the harbor, row upon row of ships waiting, their fin-like sails furled butready at her command. On the beaches, lines of guards stood firm as sirens were scattered in the sea.
Her lips curved as she rested her hands on the sill, gazing out at the kingdom. “Let her come,” she murmured, her voice dripping with venom.
“By the time she claws her way to me”—her smile deepened into something cruel—“she’ll be too weak to prevail.”
Azarian took a step up to her but said nothing as his grin grew to match hers.
“We’ll let the armies do our work for us,” she finished.
CHAPTER 64
Draevyn
Draevyn stood at the mouth of the cave, the air thick with salt as the yawning black maw gaped before them. Every instinct in his body screamed to turn back. To go after Esmyra and follow her to the shores regardless of her plan.
But he promised her he would listen, and though he ached to, he had no intention of breaking it.
Beside him, Jak’s voice cut through the silence. “I never wanted to set foot here again.”
Draevyn gave a humorless grunt, his jaw tight as he studied the shadows beyond the stone. “Nor did I.”
Jak clapped him on the shoulder. “She’s going to be okay.”
The veins in his neck tightened almost painfully, only giving a curt nod in answer. He knew in any other circumstance Esmyra would be more than okay. But Syrena didn’t play fair, and time wasn’t on their side. Mainly he was just worried about her being alone.
The crew shuffled behind them, weapons clutched as their eyes darted like nervous animals.
“Listen well,” Draevyn barked, voice carrying over the waves crashing against the jagged shore. “You’ll follow close. Touchnothing. Not the walls, not the moss, not a single godsdamn rock. Do you understand?”
A murmur of unevenayesrippled through them.
Atlas crossed his arms, glaring at the cave as though it might bite. “Never did I think I’d return here. Let alone with the lot I captured on this very shore.”
“Aye, well on that much we agree,” Jak growled, eyes narrowing.
It was clear there was still a significant amount of tension between Atlas and the crew, but Draevyn would have none of it.
“Enough!” he snapped, whirling on them. “It could take hours on foot to get through to the other side, so we have to move quickly. You all can be at each other’s throats tomorrow when this is all said and done with, and our girls are safe.”
Atlas nodded. “Apologies, Brother.” His grey eyes drifted to Jak as shadows danced around his wrist. “Old habits and all. I’m still learning the kingly ways.”
“You’re no king of mine,” Jak snarled.
Atlas cocked his head and winked.
Oh, fucking Irah.
Draevyn drew a slow breath then let it out like a curse. “Let’s just hope the wards are truly down. If they’re not, we’ll never get through.”
A hush followed his words, broken only by the howling wind.
Boots scuffed against damp stone as they stepped into the cave’s mouth, the air shifting instantly. It brought a frigid chill to his skin, carrying the stench of brine and mildew.
Draevyn lifted a hand, a spark flaring in his palm before it roared to life, chasing the darkness back. The firelight licked across the walls, painting the crew in hues of orange and gold.
Behind him, Atlas’s voice cut in. “My shadows can scout ahead and see what lies further.”
