“No, no, no. Godsdammit,” he bellowed as he kicked a bucket out into the streets.
He couldn’t fucking believe this had happened. Pressing his palms into his eyes, he tried to come up with a new plan as he steadied his rapid breaths.
It hadn’t been fear in her eyes when their stares met across that tavern, but it wasn’t hate either. He knew hate—knewherhate and what it looked like. What was on Esmyra’s face was just…shock. Confusion, maybe. Likely wondering why he would be in Anchorage Cove in the first place. The look in her eyes was the same raging chaos tearing through him now.
Did she think he was there on behalf of the crown?
A sharp whistle sliced through the air, and Draevyn’s eyes flared as his head snapped up.
There, above him, silhouetted by the silver moon, Esmyra sat on the edge of the rooftop. One knee was pulled tight to her chest as her other leg hung over the ledge. Her hair whipped around her face in wild strands, and even from this distance, he could see the gleam of mischief in her glacial eyes.
Esmyra gave him a lazy salute. “What’s the matter, baby?” Her voice carried to him, taunting and velvet-smooth with just enough bite to sink into his skin. “Am I not as easy to catch as you thought?”
There’s my Wildfire.
Draevyn stepped into the middle of the street and gave her a crooked grin. “Just didn’t think anything could ever scare you enough to make you run. Except maybe a krechuum or two.”
She laughed—a low, husky sound that rattled his soul.
“Oh, Phoenix,” she purred, inspecting her talons as they slid out on display. “Still bitter I left Lephyrin without saying goodbye? Or are you here to arrest me because I took your brother’s pretty prize?”
So, shedidhave Elowynne.
“I’m more bitter about how you’ll listen to the words of a stranger over seeking the truth.” He took a step forward, his neck still craned to look at her. “Now tell me, what did your darlingsistersay happened that day?” He couldn’t help the growl in the last few words.
Her smirk dropped as she twirled a dagger between her fingers. “Nothing worth repeating. Why waste time on ancient history? It did repeat itself after all.”
“How so?” he challenged.
Her eyes narrowed. “Irah couldn’t be trusted after he plunged a blade into Kaelypso’s heart, and neither can you after what you did to mine.”
She pushed herself to her feet, and her words felt like a bullet through his chest. He knew that was her intention, and gods, had it struck true.
“Is that what this is, Draevyn Rowe?” she continued. “Are you hunting me now to try to speak your truth?” A vicious giggle slipped from her. “That’s cute.”
He took a step closer, fire surging in his chest.
“I’m not hunting you,” Draevyn admitted. “I’m merely chasing the storm that tore my life apart.”
He could’ve sworn tiny sparks of lightning lit in her stare.
Esmyra raised a brow. “You always were poetic in your rage.”
“And you were always cocky when scared.” Draevyn smirked.
Her attention snapped back to him. “I fear nothing.”
“You ran from me just now, didn’t you?” he shot back, and he didn’t miss the slight snarl that crawled across her lip. “I’m still trying to figure out why. Come on down, Wildfire. You have nothing to fear from me.”
That stopped her for half a heartbeat. But then she was laughing again, the sound softer now, almost affectionate.
“Keep telling yourself that.” She backed away from the ledge, gave another mock salute, and disappeared as she turned and stalked away.
Draevyn cursed and sprinted after her from the street. He ran out of the alleyway, dodging several drunken sailors. Shoving past them, he looked up to find Esmyra midair, leaping from one building to the next. She landed on the nearest rooftop with ease, spinning on her heel before walking backward as her eyes met his once more.
“Is it a chase you want, Phoenix?” she called. “Or do I have to once again prove to you that you can’t catch me unless Iwantyou to.”
Draevyn couldn’t help his grin, a silent chuckle rumbling through him.
