“She likely always has.”
Her talons bit into her palms. Over her dead fucking body would she allow this.
When the guards didn’t move, she stormed toward them, up the slope of loose sand. When she reached the crest, they finally shifted, hands resting on their weapons.
“Is there a particular reason you’re watching me from a distance?” Esmyra didn’t even try to hide the viciousness from her tone.
“Orders,” one said. “We’re to ensure your safety.”
The other nodded. “The queen wants you protected.”
Esmyra’s laugh was sharp, void of any warmth or amusement. “Protected?” she echoed. “Do you really think agoddessneeds protection?” She tsked.
Their silence was answer enough.
She stepped closer, and the guards tensed but held their ground.
This wasn’t meant for safety. This was a noose wrapped around her neck dressed up as concern. It was then Esmyra realized her sister’s malicious schemes were never done without calling it mercy first.
Syrena thought proximity was control, thinking Esmyra wouldn’t notice the weight of eyes on her back, even in the careful distance.
Protection wasn’t protection when it came with chains.
If Syrena wanted to see what she was capable of, Esmyra would make sure the message was delivered the only way she knew how—violently.
“If these guards are so quick to turn on one of their goddesses, then write the message to our twins with blood in the fucking sand.” Kaelypso’s words were ruthless as they echoed through her mind.
Esmyra smiled at the guards, eyes shifting. “And do you really thinkyou’recapable of protecting me?”
A flicker of unease passed between them.
Lightning cracked from her hand before either could tighten their grip on their spears. It struck the guard closest to her, crackling bluefire racing over his armor as he convulsed and fell, body smoking against the sand.
The second guard’s jaw fell, positioning himself into a fighting stance as he aimed his weapon at her.
Her nails lengthened into talons as she drove him backward. Striking fast, she forced him down the dune in a stumbling retreat as he swung his spear wildly. Esmyra ducked and raked her claws across his chest before finishing him with a single slash across his throat.
He dropped into the sand, crimson pouring down his front as her venom mixed with his blood. The guard cried out, choking and screeching in pain as the venom ate at his ruined flesh.
Esmyra dropped down into a crouch beside him as he clutched his neck, desperate to live as his life force poured from him. Her pupils shifted, casting a teal glow on his face. “Your goddess demands silence.” As his screams fell silent, the lightning faded from her skin, her talons retracting.
“Now this should tell your queen that I don’t need a fucking leash,” she said quietly. “And I willnotbe caged.”
Her lip curled in disgust as the man took his last breath beneath her. Then she turned and aimed back down to the shoreline.
The water’s chill rushed around her ankles, and she sucked in a sharp breath as the chaos in her mind began screaming once more. Everything she’d learned of and witnessed in the past several hours threatened to suffocate her.
“Esmyra, we must leave,” Kaelypso urged. “Before Naerysa learns of what we know.We can make a plan once we’re safe, but we never will be if we remain in Maerinys.”
“I know,” she whispered aloud.
Tilting her face up to the sky, she searched the stars. Constellations she used to sail by twinkled above her, but there was one star in particular that caught her eye, shining brighter than the rest.
It sat almost defiantly alone within the curve of the crescent moon.
Esmyra blinked, cocking her head slightly to the side.
“Father?” she whispered, the wind sending her hairfluttering around her face. She wrapped her arms around her waist as she took in a shuddering breath.
