Page 19 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

Darius shakes his head, freeing himself from the melancholy tugging on each of the male’s glamoured faces. “I think it’s time for a⁠—”

“Don’t you dare say drink,” Draven growls.

“Don’t be such a grumble-root,” Darius counters. “It’ll be hours before Silas and Rian expect us at the docks. We should have some fun!”

“Fun is not the mission.”

“It’s my mission.”

“Mine too,” Jaxon says. “These past few weeks have sucked, and I’m going to enjoy every last minute in Port City before we’re stuck on a blasted ship.”

My head snaps up at the confirmation that we are, indeed, leaving Astloria. “Ship?”

The three Fae exchange glances.

Jaxon mumbles, “Shit.”

“What ship?” I demand when none of them meet my probing stare. “Where are we going?”

Where are you taking me?

“We cannot say,” Draven says.

He shoots a pointed look to the man leaning against the stable wall, chewing on a piece of straw. Watching us.

I pinch my lips together.

“I’ll find Rian and Silas.” Draven taps his boot against the paved path, looking between Darius and Jaxon before his gaze lands on me. “Will you be all right?”

His concern is touching. Until I remember he only cares about my well-being because of what I can do for his brother.

“I’ll be fine.”

He nods, then glares at Darius. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

Darius clicks his heels together and straightens, pounding a fist against his chest in a mock salute. “Yes, sir!”

Jaxon snorts.

Draven rolls his eyes and strides away, disappearing down the street that curves toward the harbor.

As soon as he’s gone, Darius claps his hands together. “Well, now that our nursemaid has left us, how about some fun?”

That one sentence tells me everything I need to know about their brotherly relationship.

My thoughts drift to Ferria.

Would we have a similar dynamic if I were more than a few minutes older? Or did our upbringing rob us of the lighthearted demeanor Darius carries with ease?

“Yes, let’s.” Jaxon extends an arm to me. “Shall we, my lady?”

I hesitate, but considering he’s the least unsettling Fae, I take his offered elbow.

The city stretches out before us—bright and strange, full of noise and color. The air hums with possibility and danger, the two blending until I can’t tell them apart.

As we step into the crowd, I glance toward the harbor.

Somewhere near those ships, Rian waits.