Chapter 45
Esmyra
The sky was melting into shades of rose and indigo, the last bits of sunlight stretching across the horizon as Valor cut through the waves. Esmyra stood at the bow most of the day, staring out at the endless water.
Footsteps approached softly, and Jak came to stand beside her. His arms were crossed over his chest while his eyes followed the same line as hers. For a long moment, neither of them spoke, only listening to the groan of the ship and the crash of waves.
“You look like you’re trying to find something out there,” he said finally.
“Maybe I am. I just don’t know what anymore.”
He blew out a breath. “You’ve been through hell, Captain. Anyone would feel lost.”
She gave a short, humorless laugh. “I’ve always known where I belong.
I was just too stubborn to see it, and now it’s too late.
” Her fingers tightened on the railing. “I used to think I didn’t know who I was because I wasn’t sure where I came from.
But now I don’t even know who I am without it. Without the power.”
“Power or no power, you’re still you. That’s more dangerous than you think.” Jak winked. “Terrifying, really.”
My favorite scary lady of the sea. Esmyra remembered Ren’s words from their last night aboard The Night Wraith together, and she let out a quiet chuckle.
“Aye, perhaps you’re right, Jaky.”
He shifted his stance, his shoulder brushing hers as the wind howled around them. “What happened to you after the cave-in?” he asked. “I’ve heard it from the Phoenix, but I want your side of it. I want to hear it from you.”
She kept her eyes on the horizon, jaw clenched. “Well, as you may assume… we found Maerinys.” A lifeless laugh escaped her. “Turns out I have a family too.”
“As long as they don’t replace us, I guess I can accept that,” he teased.
“Never,” she gasped out, shaking her head. “I have a twin, and her name is Syrena. She’s ruled over the kingdom since she was essentially a child. Raised by the people of Maerinys and her adviser, Azarian.”
Jak’s golden eyes flared. “Was he the massive ugly brute leading them?”
Azarian was there? Tits, she really did get lucky her crew came when they did.
“Aye. That was likely him.” She sighed.
They both turned to face the deck, resting their elbows on the rail as they leaned back.
“It’s a very long story, but…Syrena and Azarian are very bad people.
Terrible, selfish beings. Even worse than us.
” Her eyes slowly drifted to where Draevyn stood on the deck below, his silhouette cast against the dying sun.
“All I could focus on was finally finding someone like me. Who understood what it was like to possess this power and the loneliness in it. I put my trust in them when I shouldn’t have, and it cost me everything. ”
Jak’s stare followed hers, halting on Draevyn. “Maybe not… everything.”
Esmyra turned toward him, head tilting in confusion. “I’m sorry, what?”
He gave her a knowing look, one corner of his mouth twitching up. “You didn’t lose everything. Not while we’re still here.” His chin tilted subtly toward Draevyn.
She blinked, stunned. Jak despised Draevyn, cursing his very existence. He even did everything he could to make the man’s life a living hell while he was a prisoner aboard their ship.
Her lips parted. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying,” he started, lowering his voice, “that maybe it’s time you trusted someone who’s been fighting for you, even when you didn’t want him to.”
The words made her confusion only deepen. She lifted a brow. “You’re telling me to trust him? You are telling me to trust Draevyn Rowe?”
This couldn’t be happening. Maybe this was all a dream, and she was still locked in a cell somewhere.
“Aye. I am.” He crossed his arms, meeting her gaze without flinching. “I can’t believe it either. But fuck, Esmi, that man burns for you. I’ve seen it first-hand. Anyone who stood in his way to get to you found themselves turned to ash.”
Her breath hitched, her gaze slowly moving back to Draevyn as he began speaking with Samwell and Tommy.
“That fucker lives up to his nickname, I’ll give him that,” he said with a laugh, and it made her smile. “And gods help me, I hate to say it… but he’s not your enemy. He’s not our enemy. He went against his own kingdom and brother. Even killed his own men. And all of it was for you.”
Jak—of all people—being the one to tell her this shook her more than anything else.
She let out a disbelieving laugh, shaking her head. “Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?”
“Don’t get used to me saying this.” He smirked, nudging her with his elbow. “I didn’t want to like him, and I fought it every step of the way. But his loyalty to you became undeniable.”
Loyalty. That very word was why she thought he betrayed her in Maerinys in the first place. But Draevyn had been faithful to her the entire time.
Jak glanced at her, his expression softening in a way she rarely saw. “And his love for you?” He gave a slight shrug. “Worlds will burn before he lets anything happen to you again.”
The words left her breathless. She stared at Draevyn, her thoughts tangling in ways she couldn’t begin to unravel.
“And for that,” he continued, “the Phoenix has my loyalty.”
Before Esmyra could respond, Jak gently took her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles. Giving a small nod, her first mate turned and walked away, leaving her staring after him in stunned silence.