Both Sam and Tommy’s bodies went rigid.
“You fucking owe me,” Draevyn growled, his eyes narrowing on his first mate. “Truthfully you oweher.”
Sam’s head reared back slightly.
“Ibeggedyou to stop. I begged you not to shoot at Esmyra,” Draevyn finished, sparks lighting at his fingertips fromthe memory. He still felt so much anger, so much fury toward his best friend for aiming that gun at the woman he loved. “And yet youstillshot at her alongside the other soldiers.”
“You wanted me to defy orders from my new king in his own throne room?” Sam shook his head, but his eyes were filled with guilt. “Drae, you can’t expect that of me after what she did.”
“And because of it, I expect you to come with me now,” Draevyn said as he grabbed their arms, leading them out a side door and into a shadowy hallway, away from prying eyes.
“You’re asking us to betray the crown, Captain,” Tommy finally said as he turned to face them. “We couldallhang for this.”
“I know.” Draevyn’s voice cracked, but he forced himself to steady.
“What in all gods is wrong with you, Drae?” Sam whisper-shouted.
Many things,honestly.
“Listen, I know how this seems. I know what I’m asking of you, and I know it’s damn near insane. This isn’t an order. You can walk away now if you want. But I’m going.”
“And if the pirates try to kill us?” Sam’s words were clipped.
Draevyn shrugged. “If any of them are dumb enough to act out, kill them.”
“Oh yeah, let’s just commit treason, break out those bloody pirates that will likely kill us the first chance they get, and then run off after a goddess who’s on a death spree,” Sam mocked in an irritated, higher-pitched voice.
Draevyn just gave him a knowing look, slowly lifting his brow.
“For the love of Irah, I knew his woman was trouble the night we took her aboard.” Sam rubbed his temples, throwing his head back before letting out an exasperated sigh. But then he nodded. “We’re with you. Just tell us what you need.”
Draevyn blinked. “Wait really?” He didn’t want to give them the chance to take it back, so he pressed on. “Okay, we do this tonight, while everyone’s too drunk to notice. Most of Lephyrin’s security is in the throne room. The trickiest part is the crew is split up.”
“What do ya need us to do?” Tommy asked.
“I need you to break the mortals free from Lephyrin’s center prison. Leave the castle dungeons to me.”
“We’re so fucked,” Sam drawled.
Draevyn huffed out a laugh as he smirked, praying to Irah he was wrong.
CHAPTER 21
Esmyra
Esmyra never took kindly to being told what to do. In fact, she typically made a point to do the exact opposite out of spite, and Syrena’s order to remain in Maerinys was no different. Her sister had another thing coming if she thought Esmyra would sit idly by and hide in her palace’s tower.
Did Syrena think she was dumb enough to get shot again? The element of surprise was on their side last time, and they wouldn’t get that lucky again.
“I don’t like how she was acting either,” Kaelypso admitted. “Her imperious behavior rivals even Naerysa.”
Esmyra raised a brow. “Did you get along with your twin?” She’d never even really thought to ask.
“We certainly weren’t close.” It was silent for a few seconds before Kaelypso admitted, “As most siblings, I would say it depended on the day.Rysa could be a little controlling at best, overbearing and cunty at her worst.”
Esmyra snorted in response. “Well, perhaps history is repeating itself in more ways than one.”
Kaelypso’s quiet laugh echoed through her mind.
