I take in the mesmerizing dance of the waves and the shimmering play of light filtering through the water. "Wow," I breathe, the word slipping out in a reverent whisper.
I step closer to the tub, running my hand along the smooth, cool surface. The onyx is so dark it's almost hypnotic, like staring into the depths of a bottomless abyss.
"Careful, Honey Pot," Lucian's voice cuts through my reverie, his tone dripping with glee. "If you lean in too far, you might fall in and drown. And then who would I have to annoy the shit out of?"
I flip the bird over my shoulder. "Har har, very funny. Now, if you'll excuse me, I will take a nice, long, Lucian-free bath. Try not to break anything while I'm gone."
"Aww, come on. You don't need me to scrub those hard-to-reach places?" Lucian smirks, his eyebrows doing a suggestive little dance. "I'm a pro at washing hair, too. These magic fingers of mine have mad massage skills."
"Tempting, but I think I can manage to lather, rinse, and repeat all by myself, thanks." I give him a gentle shove towards the door, "Now, be a good little vampire and go entertain yourself while I enjoy some much-needed alone time with my new best friend, Mr. Bubble."
Lucian pouts exaggeratedly. "Fine, fine. I see how it is. Abandoning me in my hour of need. I'll just be out here, all alone, with nothing but my thoughts and the faint sound of splashing to keep me company."
With that, I give him one final nudge out the door and close it with a satisfying click.
First order of business—getting this stupid collar off. I'm nobody's pet, and I'll be damned if I let some sea witch treat me like a dog on a leash.
I reach up, my fingers closing around the smooth surface of the shell. I can feel my power stirring within me, a heat that starts in my belly and spreads outward, permeating my entire being with a warm, tingling sensation.
I focus on that feeling and the light that sits beneath my skin, waiting to be unleashed. My hands begin to glow, a soft, pulsing light that grows brighter with each passing second.
I can feel the heat building in my hands, a searing, almost painful sensation that makes me grit my teeth and clench my jaw.
But I don't let up, don't back down. I pour every ounce of my strength and determination into the task at hand, willing the collar to break, to shatter, to fucking disintegrate into dust.
And then, with a snap that seems to echo through the room, the collar falls away, clattering to the floor at my feet. With a sense of grim satisfaction, I watch it crumble and dissolve, turning to ash and blowing away on some unseen breeze.
I take a deep breath, feeling like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
I undress, peeling off my salt-encrusted clothes and letting them fall to the floor in a heap. The air is cool against my bare skin, raising goosebumps along my arms and legs. But as I sink into the steaming water, feeling it envelop me like a warm, soothing embrace, all the tension, fear, and exhaustion of the fucking day I've had starts to ease out.
For a moment, I forget our danger and the impossible task ahead. I let myself breathe and exist in this perfect, peaceful instant.
But, like all good things, it doesn't last. Reality comes crashing back in Lucian's voice, muffled by the closed door but still annoyingly audible.
"Hey, Dani…? You have people out here that say they need to help wash you? I swear to god, if you allow them in and not me, I'm gonna be very, very—"
I sink lower into the water, submerging myself completely to cut off his babbling.
It's going to be a long night.
Rhyland
28
After hours of busting our asses, we finally managed to get a few sails up and running, just enough to get us out of these siren-infested waters and head towards Driftwood Market. Gideon tells me it's the safest place to regroup and lick our wounds—to patch up the ship and resupply while we wait for Dani.
And thank fuck for that because Gideon's ship took one hell of a beating in that battle. The hull is riddled with holes, the deck is slick with blood and gore, and the main sails and masts are blown to shit. But somehow, against all odds, the stubborn old girl never sank.
As we limp our way to Driftwood Market, I fill Gideon and Erik in on what I learned about Dani, how she's been captured by the Sea Witch—and Lucian is with her. I'm still pissed at the little shit for getting all territorial with her, memory wiped or not. Gonna have to stake my claim on her in front of his damn face until he gets the fucking message, or he's going to be getting his ass handed to him…again.
The thought of Dani down there, alone with Lucian, is enough to make my blood boil. I know my brother—know the kind of bullshit tactics he'll try to pull on her, especially after what I already saw.
I clench my fists at my sides, my nails digging into my palms hard enough to draw blood. I try to breathe through the rage and frustration, focusing on the steady rhythm of the waves and the salt spray on my face. But it's no use. The fury is like a living thing inside me, coiled and ready to strike at the slightest provocation.
"Brother, Lucian doesn't stand a chance." Erik's voice cuts through the haze of my anger. "I know that look, that fury you're holding."
I stare out at the horizon, my eyes narrowed against the glare of the setting sun. "I know that," I snarl. "But even with his memories gone, Lucian's still a fucking shit starter. And his blood still flows through her veins..."
