Page 18 of Claimed By the Depths

Realm Beyond the Veil

ALASTAIR

Carrying Rohen onto the ship hadn’t been difficult; if anything, it had been far too easy. But I knew damn well that was bound to change the second I had set her down, or she had wriggled from my hold as I anticipated.

Her foot slammed into my chest, and my back collided with the main mast before I ducked. Narrowly avoiding the steel she wielded, my heel dug into the wooden boards. Pivoting around my makeshift shield, the dagger she’d snatched from one of my men sank into the place my neck would’ve been.

“I’ll fucking kill you, Seridean!”

In any other instance, I would have assumed her words were nothing more than playful. But as she ripped the weapon from its temporary resting place, her nostrils flared with an intensity I’d only ever seen when she faced Caspian.

Lifting both arms in surrender, I leaned out of the blade’s path as it slashed through the air. “And I would heavily prefer it if you”—my fingers closed around her wrist as she encroached on my space once more—“stopped so I didn’t have to get handsy with you.”

Her lips curled into a snarl. “You believe yourself competent enough to do such a thing?” Laughter tumbled, but not an ounce of amusement followed it. “If I wanted to gut you, I fucking would.”

With a smile of my own, I leaned in. “Am I not already laying a hand on you, Levitte?” Darting my gaze to where we connected, I arched a brow. “This is not me doubting your abilities, as I am more than aware of how efficient you are at carving through men. But I am not your fucking enemy, just as Caspian is more than able to defend himself⁠—”

“She commanded his very action without lifting a finger, Alastair. Please tell me how his autonomy being stripped from him leaves him with such capabilities.”

Thoughts slipping, Caspian’s expression during our fight on Veilmar returned. Knowing he was the most stubborn bastard alive, it wasn’t just his lack of desire to keep going that had thrown me off, but the glint in his stare as he awaited his demise. He’d said I would’ve been offering him an out in executing him, and hadn’t batted an eye when I considered it.

But that sadness? That guilt that lived in his once vibrant blue irises?

It haunted me.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I shook my head. “He always finds a way.”

The utterance wasn’t a lie. Caspian had taught me everything I knew and had easily become not only the man I loved but also the man I looked up to. He was enchanting in a way he often hid, painting over it with a harshness I had once believed to be true. But as events unfolded, I questioned how much truth there was in his betrayal. Or better yet, what had pitted us against one another, even though a part of me already knew.

Rohen’s jaw feathered as she huffed in disbelief. “You’re fucking unbelievable.”

Ignoring the ache settling in my chest, I loosened my hold. With her anger still smoldering, I watched her every move, waiting until she sheathed her newly claimed dagger before I spoke. “I might be, but I’m a man who never ventures from my vows. He may not be here now, but we will ensure he ends up on this ship.”

“You better hope so,” she hissed, raking her fingers through her soaked hair. “Because if not, I’ll do exactly what I did to that pitiful fucking soldier in Darswyth. I’m unsure how much Leilani would continue to enjoy you if you were dickless.”

The corner of my mouth curled before I could stop it. “I’m not worried about it, Levitte, because unlike every other misogynistic prick you’ve crossed paths with, I honor my promises.”

Her gaze narrowed as if waiting for what she believed was feigned honesty to crumble. Tongue flicking against her canine, her fire remained, but the intensity in her tone softened. “Where is Kael?”

“In the infirmary with Parran.” Diverting my attention to my men, who continued their duties in ensuring our swift departure, I continued, “I’m still not entirely sure what happened. Leilani mentioned Syoran’s hesitance to leave him with us to go fulfill the role of captain for Caspian’s crew, but that is all the information I have.”

Not offering me a reply, she turned and started toward the man I knew she’d come to value immensely. I fell in step behind her, not wishing to test my luck with her billowing agitation. Hell, I never had. But the instant she broke the still waters of Serevalen’s coast, seated on that dragon’s back, I sensed the shift. And even now, as I stared at the back of her head and followed as if I were some kind of hound, I felt it.

Our short stroll was quiet; not a single word was offered between us, and it remained that way even as she slammed her palms into the infirmary door. It flew open, slapping against the wall behind it with a loud bang. Parran winced, glancing over their shoulder at us, their attentive frame standing over Kael.

“Uh, hi?”

I blew out a breath. “Sorry for our sudden intrusion, Rohen has been quite⁠—”

“Fuck you, Seridean.” Her head swung between the two of us as aggravation filled the small space. “What the hell happened to him?”

Their periwinkle skin flushed into a soft mauve, not because they were alarmed, but because Rohen had stepped into their realm with adamant disrespect. Irises shifting to a dark, moody navy blue, their white brows dropped to settle over their glare.

“Do you wish to re-enter and try again?”

Scoffing, Rohen folded her arms over her chest. “What the fuck do you mean⁠—?”

“Would you like to try again?” Parran snarled, incisors sharpening as they dipped their chin. “Insolence is not something I take lightly, Ms. Levitte.”