Chapter 24
Elira
The morning broke grey. Not stormy—just muted, like the world was keeping its voice down after everything we’d said last night.
I stood near the prow of the ship, one hand on the railing, eyes fixed on the mist where sea met sky. Sorrowsea’s cliffs had vanished behind us hours ago, swallowed by fog. Ahead lay the garrison—and war.
Behind me, the deck creaked with motion. Sailors called to each other in quiet voices. The waves slapped steady against the hull like a heartbeat.
I hadn’t seen any of them yet. But I wanted to. I shivered in anticipation at the thought of any one of them coming to stand by me.
They were mine.
All of them. At least the ones still with me.
Warmth bubbled in my chest.
My heart still felt full—too full. I’d said I love you to three different people in one room. And somehow, it had been right. Messy. But right.
I breathed in the salt air.
I heard footsteps behind me. Arms went around my waist, pulling me close. Phoenix kissed me lightly on the top of my head. I closed my eyes.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered, brushing a kiss against my ear.
His arms slid down my sides, drawing goosebumps.
I pushed back into him, letting him grind against me.
He clutched me hard and nipped my neck. I let out a small, satisfied sigh.
My shadows curled around him, teasing at his skin, drawn to him like breath to flame.
He sighed at my touch.
Gods, I needed this. Him. All of them. But right now—just him.
I smiled, breathing him in. “Is it? That sky doesn’t look too promising.”
Out past the horizon, toward the garrison, the clouds were black and swollen. Thunder rolled low across the water, lightning flashing in silent warning.
“Any morning I get to be with you is a good one,” he murmured. His hand slid lower, over my hip, invitingly. My skin hummed at his touch.
I nudged him, smirking. “Keep talking like that and I might actually blush.”
I turned in his arms and wrapped myself around him. I kissed him softly, pressing my body against him.
His breath caught. “Gods, Elle…” His hands tightened on my hips as my shadows curled low, brushing along his stomach—dangerously close to where he pulsed hot beneath his belt.
“Ahem.” Slade’s voice cut in from behind. Dry. Familiar.
I turned as my gentle giant approached, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips. His dark eyes glittered as he took me in.
“Morning, spitfire,” he said, his voice low and soft. He held out his arms. I didn’t hesitate.
“Well hey there, grumpy bear,” I gave him a wink, “You didn’t think I forgot about you, did you?”
I jumped into his arms, wrapping myself around him.
He caught me easily, his hands sliding beneath the edge of my coat, fingers hot against my waist. My breath hitched.
I nuzzled into his neck, and he chuckled—spinning me once, slow and easy.
Then he pressed a kiss to my nape and squeezed my ass with something like a promise.
I’m never going to get enough of them.
Phoenix met Slade’s gaze. No tension—just a quiet nod.
Like two men acknowledging the same sun they both turned toward.
Phoenix rubbed the back of his neck, half-smiling. “This is going to be a very interesting experiment. Sharing you.”
“I think we can manage,” Slade said quietly. But he was smiling too.
A few minutes later, Maddie’s voice cut across the deck—bright, teasing. “Well, well. You all look cozy.”
Phoenix sighed. “She’s been awake five minutes and already stirring up trouble.”
“She lives for it,” I muttered.
Maddie grinned, tugging her coat tighter as she approached. “I’ve been teaching Caelen how not to get pushed overboard by a bunch of cranky ex-Shades. It’s my new favourite show.”
I laughed—actually laughed. “I might have to go see that.”
“Do. And tell Leo to get his ass out of his bunk while you’re at it.”
“Leo’s sulking?” Phoenix asked, feigning surprise. “But he’s such a good sailor,” he drawled. “We made a bet he wouldn’t make it out of bed before he pukes. I bet he’s still sulking about it.”
Maddie snorted. “He’s sulking handsomely, thank you very much. That boy hates the sea. But yes.”
I shook my head, smiling as I stepped back from the rail. War was coming. But right now, we had this.
Then Caelen stepped onto the deck. The tension rose immediately—sharp and instinctive.
Phoenix moved before I could speak, his hands settling on my back. Steady. Possessive.
His gaze locked onto Caelen like a challenge waiting to be accepted.
Caelen’s posture stiffened. His eyes darkened. But he said nothing—just kept walking.
I exhaled and rolled my eyes. Gods, not this again.
“It won’t be long before the garrison comes into view. Expect a large force,” Caelen said. “Time to load up on whatever weapons you need to carry. Once we land, we’ll have to move.”
“We’ll be ready,” Slade answered. Calm, even. “My men know their roles.”
“Just… make sure everyone’s ready. We may not get a second chance to hold the line.” He replied. “We get in, reinforce the garrison, and hold it as long as possible. But if things turn—we evacuate. General Marcus will coordinate survivors.”
For a moment, something shifted behind his eyes—like he’d already seen too many people not make it out. But then it was gone. Buried.
“We’ll do whatever we can,” he added, “none these people deserve this.”
Phoenix’s voice cut in, low and sharp. “I’m sorry—are you giving the orders now?”
Slade muttered beside me, “Pretty sure that’s my job.”
Caelen turned. Phoenix stepped forward. The space between them crackled.
“I know these waters,” Caelen said. “I know my ships, and I know my men.”
“I’m sure you do,” Phoenix said coolly. “But this isn’t your command.”
Caelen’s patience snapped. “I know this coastline better than you ever will.”
“Well, as fun as this is, I’m going to go get Leo up,” I sighed. “You mind reining this in, boys?”
Neither of them moved.
“Seriously,” I added, stepping between them. “Unless you’re planning to kiss, I’d like to keep the testosterone level below boiling before breakfast.”
Caelen’s jaw flexed. Phoenix’s eyes didn’t leave his.
Slade muttered under his breath, “We could flip a coin.”
That earned him a glare from both of them, which made me snort. “I’m not kidding,” I said. “We’re not doing this here. Not now.”
Phoenix blinked first—just barely—and stepped back a fraction.
Caelen tilted his chin, lips pressed in a tight line, then nodded once—sharp. Not agreement, just acknowledgment.
“Great,” I said, already turning away. “Love this team spirit. Truly.”
Maddie whistled as I passed. “You’d make a great general.”
“Thanks. I’m going to go yell at my lion now.”
“You want backup?” she called.
“I want coffee and a world without egos,” I muttered.
Phoenix and Caelen stayed behind. Slade followed me for a few quiet steps, his hand brushing mine once—grounding me before he went to speak with the other soldiers.
Because we all felt it.
The storm wasn’t just coming from the sea anymore.
I ducked into the lower deck cabin and found Leo leaning over a bucket, looking a little green.
“Hey, you,” I said softly, my voice gentle.
He tried to smile, but his face twitched. He groaned. “Please, tell me we’re almost on land,” he moaned.
I knelt beside him, brushing a hand through his damp golden hair. “We will be soon. You okay?”
He gave a weak thumbs-up, then immediately regretted it. “Nope. That was a lie.”
I smiled. “You know, for a big strong lion, you’re not great at sea.”
He slumped dramatically against the wall. “Lions weren’t meant for boats. We were meant for sun. For savannahs. For—” He paused to gag into the bucket again.
“—not this.”
I rubbed his back in slow circles. “You want me to get Maddie? She says watching you suffer is her new favourite hobby.”
He let out a pitiful noise. “That woman is evil. Beautiful. But evil.”
I kissed his temple. “Rest. We’ll be on land soon. Then you can roar at people again.”
He leaned into me, nuzzling my neck, eyes closed. “I don’t want to roar. I want hugs. And kisses. And a bed. That isn’t moving.”
“You’ll get both,” I promised, stroking his face. “But you have to survive the next hour.”
“Tell the sea that.”
“You know,” I said, folding my arms, “staying the cabin probably isn’t the best if you feel bad. Get on deck. Get some air.”
He glared at me. “If I stand up I am going to hurl all over you. I would rather that not be the first thing I do now you finally admitted how much you adore me.”
I smirked. “Adore is a strong word.”
He groaned, dropping his head onto his crossed arms. “Don’t backpedal now. I’m clinging to your love like it’s the only thing keeping me alive.”
“I thought the bucket was doing that?”
“It’s a team effort.”
I crouched down again, brushing his hair back from his forehead. He looked up at me through bleary lashes, and despite the greenish hue, he still managed to look unfairly gorgeous.
“You’re ridiculous,” I murmured. I leaned in and kissed him—slow, soft, lingering. His lips parted just enough for a breath to catch between us, and for a moment, he kissed me back like it was the only thing tethering him to the world.
I deepened the kiss, pulling him close. His tongue moved with mine, and he eased me back toward the bed. His weight settled over me, hot and solid—his arousal unmistakable, pressing into my thigh.
And then—
He froze. His eyes flew open.
“Shit,” he muttered, and bolted.
He grabbed the bucket just in time and hurled himself over it, gagging miserably.
I blinked, stunned.
Then he groaned, one hand raised weakly. “It’s not you, I swear.”
“I still think you’re handsome,” I whispered against his cheek.
“And sexy,” he corrected, eyes fluttering open.
I smiled and let my lips graze the tip of his nose. “Both.”
He sighed dramatically, resting his head against the wall again. “You know, you keep doing that and I might fall in love with you all over again.”
“You say that like you ever stopped.”
“Touché.” He reached up blindly and found my hand, lacing our fingers together.
His grip was weaker than usual—but it was still Leo. Still warm. Still real.
Still mine.
“I love you,” he said, his voice raspy.
“I love you too.”
“I hate the sea,” he muttered.
“I know.”
“I’m only doing this for you.”
“I know.”
A beat.
“Okay, maybe for Slade, too. And Phoenix. Maybe Maddie a little even though she’s a devil woman. Also Thorne. But mostly for you.”
I leaned in, resting my forehead gently against his. “I’ll make it up to you,” I whispered. “Once we’re off this godsdamned boat.”
He hummed, a tired smile tugging at his lips. “Promise?”
“Promise.”
He grinned—just for a second. Then his face twisted, and he lurched back over the bucket.
“Ugh. Tell Phoenix he wins. I can’t even be jealous when my insides are trying to mutiny.”
“I’ll tell him you surrendered with dignity.”
“You better not.”
The moment held—soft, fragile.
Then the bell rang.
Not the dinner bell.
Not the change-of-watch bell.
The warning bell.
Leo stiffened beneath me. I froze.
A single sharp clang, followed by two more. Fast. Urgent.
Footsteps pounded overhead. Someone shouted something I couldn’t make out.
Then Maddie’s voice—muffled through the wood, but unmistakably sharp.
“Elira! Get up here! Now!”
I was on my feet before I realized I’d moved.
Leo groaned, pushing himself upright. “Gods, tell me that wasn’t the pirate bell.”
“I think that was the everything-is-about-to-go-to-hell bell,” I said.
He muttered something unrepeatable and grabbed the bucket for support. “I really hate the sea.”
I grabbed his coat off the hook, threw it over his shoulders. “I know. But right now, we fight.”
He looked up at me, still pale—but his eyes burned. “Let’s go.”
I wasn’t prepared for what I saw.
Not one ship.
Not ten.
Scores.
All in the distance.
All flying red and blue flags.
The garrison sat beyond the land bridge, its walls already silhouetted in flame.
The ships were on the far side of the land bridge—too distant for arrows, but close enough to see the smoke.
Flames already licked the sky.
Even from here, we could hear the faint thump of cannon fire—low and rhythmic, like a death drum.
Slade returned to my side, breath sharp. Vael’s fleet. And Ashton’s. “They’re working together.”
Phoenix swore under his breath. “That’s a lot of ships. Fuck.”
“They’re not coming,” I said hollowly. “They’re already here.”
Behind us, the other ships burst into motion—orders shouted, boots slamming against wet wood.
Sails unfurled. Steel was drawn. Maddie appeared at my side, eyes wide, wind whipping her hair back.
“We’re not going to make it to the beach, are we?” she asked quietly.
I didn’t answer.
“Portside ships turning!” the lookout shouted. “One’s heading straight for us!”
Slade stepped forward, eyes narrowing. “Brace to intercept,” he ordered. “Keep the other ships moving—if we stall, we die.”
I turned to Maddie, gesturing toward the land bridge. “Maddie—can you do anything from here? Some kind of barrier?”
She shook her head, eyes narrowed on the distant garrison.
“I’d need to be closer. On land. My magic doesn’t reach that far over water.”
“Okay.” I nodded. “Then we need to get closer to shore. Fast.”
“Working on it,” Phoenix muttered, already moving toward the cannon rig.
Maddie spun on her heel. “I’ll start prepping. If we make it across, I can seal the bridge behind us—slow them down.”
Slade’s voice cut across the deck. “Elira, gear up. You’re with Maddie on impact.”
I nodded once and bolted below.
Behind me, the ship tilted as we veered hard toward the shallows—closer to the siege.
Closer to them.
The sky cracked with thunder.
And the enemy ships turned to meet us.