“I believe that.” He smiled widely before offering a small head bow. “I will leave you to your night but thank you for stepping up and leading us in such an important time, Empress.”
Offering a small nod of dismissal, he walked away. I turned back out to the sea with a shuddering breath, hoping to hide the emotion choking me up. I knew I needed to be strong for everyone, and I would be, but his words really hit home.
I wanted to tell him that my strength came from Myrin, from her belief in me, and the belief she taught me to have in myself. Instead, I thanked her for everything she had given me to help in my efforts to lead these people.
To be the Empress our empire needed.
Chapter Five
Kyella
Mead and wine flowed freely amongst the crew, and laughter filled the air with ease. Covering my yawn with my hand, I wondered how long they were going to be at it, completely impressed with their stamina.
I sounded like an old lady, despite being younger than likely half of those on board.
A thick arm came around my waist, pressing me into a hard chest. Breathing in the eucalyptus scent, I relaxed into Elijah’s embrace.
“How are you still awake old man?” I joked, poking his side lightly, “I’m halfway asleep standing here.”
A deep chuckle came from him in return before he swept me into his arms, and I sighed with contentment.
“Despite getting a nap earlier, you still didn’t sleep nearly enough, love,” he chided before nuzzling his nose against my cheek. “Do you want to head down to bed? I’m sure the party will continue for another few hours.”
My eyes grew heavier at the mere suggestion of going to bed, and I instantly nodded before yawning. “Yeah, that sounds great. Let’s find Dakath and Kolvar, though. They don’t have to come with us, but I want to at least let them know we’re leaving.”
His mouth moved from my cheek and down to my neck as he murmured, “I think I might need to taste you before bed, love. You know, to keep my immunity up…” he trailed off, the sexual undertones making it clear that was not why he wanted to taste me.
Hitting his chest lightly as I saw others begin to look our way, I whispered, “Put me down, please.”
He did as I asked before dropping a kiss to my head and entwining our hands. “Ashamed of me, love?” he asked in a joking manner.
My cheeks heated, and I dipped my head before murmuring, “No, I just don’t want to cross that line in front of them. I know that I don’t want to keep my life and who I love a secret, but there are some boundaries that need to be kept in place.”
It hit me then, exactly who I was talking to. The man who objected to his feelings for me due to duty and honor. He of all people should understand.
My eyes snapped up to his, and now that I looked closely, there did seem to be a slight haze there. As my lips split into a smile, I gasped dramatically. “Elijah, are you drunk?”
A sweet aroma spilled from his lips, overriding his natural scent as he cocked a single eyebrow at me and teased, “Tipsy, not drunk. Just enough to get the edge off to enjoy myself for once.”
True laughter rolled through me as Kolvar and Dakath joined us, mirth dancing in their eyes as well.
“I see the shots he had to take are starting to hit the old man,” Kolvar joked, punching Elijah’s shoulder lightly.
My brows raised in shock as I echoed, “Shots?”
Elijah groaned at the same time Dakath chuffed out, “Oh yeah. He thought he could drink his cup of mead faster than me. Multiple times. The loser had to take a shot.”
Kolvar leaned into my left side and lowered his mouth to my ear. “Vampyres process alcohol much faster than humans. He will be good as new in about thirty minutes. He wouldn’t risk being impaired in any way for a long period of time.”
The dramatic roll of Elijah’s eyes didn’t escape me, making my mouth twitch with a smile.
I knew he would never drink so much as to not be able to function, and he did seem relatively normal—just a more relaxed normal. I kind of liked seeing this side of him. He always carried so much on his shoulders.
“We were just coming to find you both,” I said, swiftly changing subjects. “We’re going to head down to our sleeping quarters, but you don’t have to come if you want to hang out for longer up here.”
A little yelp of surprise came from me as Kolvar hoisted me up over his shoulder and sped toward the stairs. Within seconds, we were in our room and falling backward onto the bed. He positioned himself until he was beneath me, and I straddled him. He smirked up at me victoriously.
“And why would I want to stay up there when the activities down here are so much more enticing?” he asked, heat simmering in his hazel eyes as he looked up at me from beneath dark, long lashes.
