How long did she live before the ocean chose her? Was her transformation slow, or instant? Did it hurt? Did she love someone the way I love Kai? And if she did, did she have to give him up to become what the tides demanded of her? Questions I can’t answer. Not until it’s my turn to become her.
She must be endlessly exhausted, carrying the weight of every soul in the sea. Feeling their pain, their joy, their rage. Every creature’s death echoes inside her—every scream swallowed, every war ever waged bleeding through her veins.
Maybe it broke her and that’s why she turned cruel. Built an army out of fear. Twisted her power into something dark. Maybe she simply couldn't carry it anymore and decided the ocean should suffer with her. After I fight this war, fighting for every creature that swims beneath the waves and sails above them, I refuse to become the darkness that already bleeds in these waters.
The sun dips low on the horizon, casting golden light across the sea, and there, just ahead, I spot Seal’s Island with my naked eye. It is far larger than the scattered isles I’ve grown used to. Bursting with color and sound, its painted buildings climb the hillside like stained-glass steps. It looks like Magda, feels like home, but it isn’t. It only reminds me of what I left behind:The Siren,my people, the pieces of myself I would trade for this journey. Neressa. The ache comes fast, blooming in my chest like a bruise.
I feel him before he could even touch me. Kai’s warm hand slid to my waist. I turn around to look up, locking eyes with him. “Hi,treasure,” he says, his smile crooked and voice rough like weathered rope. I smile, unable to help myself. “What’s going on in that mysterious head of yours?” he asks, eyes searching mine.
Where would I even begin? A thousand thoughts swirl behind my eyes, none of them easy to name. “We don’t have enough time for that,” I say, teasing. “Let’s just focus on making port, and maybe grabbing some rum?” He grins. My back presses against the helm, his arm brushing mine as he steers, his other hand still resting lightly at my side, like he couldn’t bear to let go.
“Ialwayshave time,” he says softly, “to listen to every single one of your thoughts, Mira.”
My name on his tongue still sends a chill down my spine.
The crew begins scrambling with anticipation, their boots clattering across the deck as they prepare to make port. Kai was right. They need this break for more than just supplies. This is what they look forward to: the brief thrill of land under their feet, rum in their hands, and the touch of a woman.
I don’t answer Kai’s inquiry of what’s on my mind. Instead, I kiss him. It’s easier that way. A kiss to make him drop it, at least for now. But Kai isn’t the type to let go, especially when it comes to my thoughts and my heart. I love him for that.
The crew makes their way down the gangplank, their laughter echoing into the growing night, leaving just a few of us behind to keep watch. It’s always done in shifts, and tonight, it leaves me and Kai alone on the quiet deck.
I start to walk away when he reaches out, gently catching my hand. “I can feel you hurting,” he says. “Talk to me. What can I do?” His words stir something warm in my chest.
I look up at him. “It’s nothing you can fix. The ocean feels wrong. Unbalanced. Something is coming. I don’t know what or when, I just feel it.”
Kai pulls me closer, one arm wrapping around my waist. “Then we’d better find that fountain,” he says with a crooked grin. The flame from the lanterns flickers in his hazel eyes, dancing across the tattoos on his skin. The moon paints him in silver. In the soft hush of night, with the ocean at our backs, he looks more alive than ever. I always see him differently after dark. Night Kai is myfavorite. I gently shake myself from the thought and meet his gaze again.
“Shall we go grab a drink?” I nudge his arm, barely moving him, though I know he lets it shift, just enough to please me. Kai chuckles low in his chest, that rare sound that hums through the air and settles under my skin. He nods once, offering me his hand.
“But first,” he says, his voice dipping, eyes glinting beneath the moonlight. “A quiet deck and a full moon? Maybe we stay here a little longer.” He pulls me in by the waist, his touch rough and warm against my skin, and kisses me slowly, deeply, until I’m already unraveling at the taste of salt, smoke, and him. The ocean sways beneath us, matching the rhythm of my pulse. I break away, breathless, meeting those wild hazel eyes that always undo me.
“Show me the way, Captain Kai,” I whisper, teasing, watching the fire catch in his gaze.
He lifts me effortlessly, pressing me back against the helm as his lips find the curve of my neck. My captain’s hat slips from my head, landing somewhere on the deck. The night air hums around us as he lowers me to the boards, his touch reverent, deliberate. Fingers trace the ties of my corset, loosening each one with aching patience. Every breath feels heavier, every inch of exposed skin touched by the chill of the sea breeze—and by him. I have nothing on aside from the large black long-sleeved shirt, and my undergarments. Kai moves under my shirt, kissingmy stomach, then my ribs, then my breasts. My breath catches. He knows exactly how to make me tick.
I throw my head back with a light moan. He looks up at me from inside my shirt, and I smile down at him, “That smile, treasure—it could undo kingdoms. And right now, it’scompletelyundone me.”
He stands, pulling off his shirt, then his pants, the sight of him stealing the air from my lungs. He spreads the fabric across the deck and eases me onto it, shielding my skin from the cold, splintered wood. I remove my shirt. As he sits next to me, I move to straddle him. “What do you want?” I tease, knowing exactly what he wants.
He sits up, keeping me straddling him. “You know what I want, my love,” he murmurs, voice low and rough.
I trail my fingers along the hard lines of his stomach, tracing the edges of his muscles. “I wish you’d tell me,” I whisper, teasing, challenging him.
His eyes darken, turning hungry, wild. “You,” he breathes. “I want all ofyou.”
He pulls me into a kiss that feels like it might set the whole world on fire. Our bodies press together, every inch of him warm, solid, mine. His tongue brushes against mine, deepening the kiss, making my entire body ache with need. There is something about him under pure, raw moonlight that makes me want him even more.
One of his hands cups my cheek while the other slips lower, tracing the curve of my waist. He moves slowly, savoring every touch, memorizing me with his hands.
“No,” I whisper, stopping him gently as he starts to move down. He looks up at me, confused, hungry. “It’s my turn,” I breathe, my voice soft but certain. “To please you.”
The look on his face, gods, he looks like he might lose control just from hearing those words. I move to grab my shirt that wasloosely thrown off to the side and smile as I cover his eyes with the sleeves.
“Oh?” he growls, low and eager, ready for whatever I was about to give him, he lays his back onto the cool deck. I kiss my way down his chest, taking my time, worshipping every inch of golden inked skin and taut muscle. He lets out a quiet moan, his body tensing beneath me. By the time I reach his hips, he’s already straining for me, breath ragged, every part of him begging for more.
I wet my thumb and brush it lightly over his tip, drawing a deep moan from his chest. Gods, the sight of him, blindfolded, breathless, completely at my mercy, makes me want to give him everything, to let him ruin me in every way he wants.
I lower my mouth to him, taking him in slowly, using my hand to cover what I can’t with my lips. His hands tangle in my hair, tugging gently, urging me deeper, but I pull back, breathless, my own need overwhelming me.
