“Why?” Atlas snapped, desperately trying to shove down the ache in his chest. “Because it would be her?”
Draevyn sighed, shaking his head. “No, I’m not saying that. But you don’t need to do this!”
“Yes, I do.” Atlas turned to face him, his decision already made. “The kingdom needs me to. She killed our father.”
“He killed hers first!” Draevyn pleaded.
Atlas scoffed. “So, what of it then? A father for a father? A pirate for aking?”
Their father was dead. Murdered by her magic. Atlas wasn’t about to let that go for nothing.
“Velsinyte. I want more of it. I need alotmore,” he thought out loud while turning toward the guards at the door. “Send for Varis,” he ordered.
One of the men bowed before stalking out of the room.
Draevyn’s nostrils flared wide as the veins in his neck strained. “You’re planning tohunther.”
Atlas was done letting Draevyn in on his plans. Regardless of if it was a one-time occurrence, he couldn’t tell him what he planned to do. Not when he knew Draevyn loved the woman for reasons he couldn’t comprehend. So, for now, Atlas would keep him in the dark. If Draevyn wanted to stay by his side as he was crowned king, then he would be welcome. But any privilege he had with the crown was now gone.
Only he wouldn’t let him know that.
Atlas let a slow, cruel smile stretch across his lips. “No,” he lied, voice cold as steel. “But when she comes back, we’ll be ready.”
And once he captured her—once she was bound in chains that even a goddess couldn’t break—he would show her exactly what it meant to steal a king’s life.
CHAPTER 13
Esmyra
The Night Wraithdrifted across the waves, silent as the grave. Esmyra lay sprawled on the wooden deck, her midnight hair fanned out around her as the chilly night air bit into her skin. Above her, the stars burned, their light reflecting in the ink-black sea surrounding her ship on all sides.
It had been nearly three days since she fled the castle and slipped into the river that led out to sea, allowing the current to carry her to her ship since she was unable to shift. It was as if, even without access to her power, the sea was protecting her and guiding her to safety of its own accord.
The wound in her side throbbed, the edges burning where the velsinyte bullet went straight through her. She had to dig the bullet out of her thigh muscle with her talons, the leg next to useless while her body failed to heal. Even now, she could feel it, something still coiling in her blood, resisting her body’s attempts to purge it. It was unnatural and invasive.
She clenched her jaw, exhaling slowly as she ignored the sharp ache. Her fingers curled against the deck, talons digging into the splintered onyx wood.
Draevyn hadhelpedher, and she fucking loathedhim for it. He’d dragged her to safety, risking everything for her, when all she wanted was to have him drown in his own flames.
Her mind raced, wondering why he would bother. She desperately worked to rid it from her mind. For all she knew, it was out of guilt. Guilt knowing if it wasn’t for what he’d done, none of this would’ve happened.
Right now, she needed to hold on to the rage. There was still so much left to do, and dealing with the Rowes was only the beginning of her plan. Esmyra had tried to be good these past few months. Tried to be the person Jak thought she was—who Draevyn made her believe she was or could’ve been.
But the only thing she had left now was her fury. For the Rowes, for the gods, for anyone who had crossed her and come out alive while she hadn’t.
Whatever flicker of softness had existed before—whatever part of her that faltered as Draevyn carried her body through the flames—was dead.
Her father was gone, the gods hid behind their veil, and the Rowe brothers still breathed. That was the only truth.
Esmyra had nothing left but vengeance, and she would see it through.
“Kaelypso?” She reached into herself, calling on her, but she was met with silence.
Esmyra had gone unanswered since that last bullet struck, ripping away what was left of her power. And with it, Kaelypso.
The ship rocked beneath her as if in agreement as the waters shifted on their own to guide her home.
Home.
