I trail off, the words sticking in my throat like shards of glass. I hate the fact that this is even a goddamn issue—hate the thought of my own brother trying to stake a claim on my mate.
"I saw the look in his eye, Erik," my jaw clenched so tight my teeth grind together. "The way he was watching her like she was a fucking prize to be won. Like she belonged to him."
Erik sighs, a sound that's equal parts exasperation and amusement. "She will kick his ass before you can, brother. Mark my words."
I glance over at him, my eyebrows raised in surprise. Sure enough, there's a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, a glint of mischief in his silver eyes. Despite everything, I feel a flicker of pride kindling in my chest.
Because he's right, my feisty little Angel is more than capable of putting Lucian in his place, of showing him exactly who he's dealing with. She's a force to be reckoned with, a fierce and fearless warrior who won't take shit from anyone, least of all my arrogant prick of a brother.
But that doesn't mean I won't have words with him myself the second I lay eyes on him again.
After an entire day of sailing, the sun finally dips below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink before fading to a deep, inky blue. And there, rising out of the darkness like a beacon of light and life, is Driftwood Market.
From a distance, it looks like a floating city, a sprawling maze of rafts and small islands lashed with ropes and planks. Fires flicker and dance on the decks of the makeshift buildings, their warm glow casting long shadows across the water. Lanterns hang from every post and railing, their soft light mingling with the stars overhead to create an eerie and enchanting scene.
As we guide our battered ship toward the docks, I feel a sense of anticipation building in my chest. After the chaos and carnage of the battle with the Serpent Skulls, three days of hell through the Dark Tides, and the gut-wrenching fear and uncertainty of losing Dani, the sight of this vibrant, bustling hub of commerce and culture is like a balm to my battered soul.
The moment I step off the gangplank and onto the weathered planks of the dock, my senses are assaulted by a dizzying array of sights, sounds, and smells. The air is thick with the aroma of exotic spices and roasting meat, the tang of salt and brine mingling with the sweet scent of ripe fruit and fresh bread.
All around me, I hear the clink of coins changing hands, the rustle of fabric as bolts of shimmering silk and rich velvet are unfurled for inspection, the clatter of pottery, and the clang of metal on metal as blacksmiths and artisans ply their trade.
I let my gaze roam over the stalls and shops, taking in the dizzying array of displayed goods. There are barrels of spices in every rainbow color, their heady scents mingling in the air. There are baskets of fresh fruits and vegetables, their skins smooth and unblemished. There are racks of gleaming weapons and armor, their edges honed to a razor's sharpness.
But amidst the beauty and wonder, a sense of danger lurks beneath the surface. I can see it in the merchants' calculating eyes, how their hands hover near their weapons even as they smile and bargain. Cutthroats and thieves wait in the shadowed corners and narrow alleys, ready to relieve unwary travelers of their coins and lives.
Gideon leads us through the winding, chaotic planks of Driftwood Market, navigating the maze of stalls and shops with the ease of a man who's spent half his life in places like this. He guides us past the whorehouses, their doorways draped with gauzy curtains and the scent of perfume and sex heavy in the air. Past the merchants hawking their wares, their voices rising and falling in a cacophony of accents and languages as they try to lure in passing customers.
We don't have time to linger—I don't have the patience to stop and browse when my mate is being held captive for whatever this fucking sea bitch wants with her. So I keep my head down and my feet moving, following Gideon as he leads us to a dimly lit tavern near the edge of the market.
The moment we step inside, the noise and chaos of the market fade away, replaced by the low murmur of conversation and the clink of glasses. The air is thick with the scent of ale and sweat, the floorboards sticky beneath our boots as we weave our way through the crowd to an empty table in the back.
As we settle in, Gideon signals the barkeep for drinks. She quickly sets our drinks on the table and leaves with a wink. "Drink up, mates."
Gideon turns to me with a grim expression on his weathered face. "We be safe here, lads. This here market be common ground. It goes against the pirate code to attack here."
I clench my jaw, my fingers tightening around my mug as I level a hard stare at the captain. "Just like at Captain's Haven," I fire back.
Just the thought of that bastard Bloodbane and what he did back there, snatching Dani away from me like she was some fucking prize to be won, has me practicing breathing techniques like some goddamn meditative asshole.
Gideon flinches at my words, his face twisting with guilt and fury. "Aye, that scurvy dog broke the code, and he'll pay a steep price for that."
Beside me, Erik leans forward, his silver eyes glinting with a calculating light. "What price is that, Captain?"
Gideon takes a long swig of his ale, his gaze distant as he stares into the murky depths of his mug. "By attackin' on common ground, he's violated the most sacred of our laws," his voice low and grave. "The punishment for such a crime be harsh and unforgivin'."
He sets his mug down with a heavy thunk, his eyes meeting mine with a fierce intensity. "He'll be cast out, banished from every port and harbor in the realm. No ship will take him on. No other crew or initiate will sail under his command. And if he dares to show his face in Captain's Haven again..."
Gideon's hand drifts to the hilt of his sword, his fingers curling around the weathered leather. "He'll be fired upon on sight, his ship sunk to the depths, and his crew left to the mercy of the sea. That be the price of betrayal, lad. And it's a price that bastard will pay, mark my words."
I feel a grim sense of satisfaction, a flicker of vindictive pleasure at the thought of that traitorous fuck getting what he deserves. But it's a fleeting thing, quickly swallowed up by the all-consuming need to get Dani.
So I take a deep breath, forcing myself to unclench my fists and relax my jaw. I meet Gideon's gaze head-on, my eyes burning with a fierce, unyielding determination.
"Good," I growl. "But right now, all I give a damn about is getting my mate back and bringing her home where she belongs. I'll deal with that piece of shit Bloodbane later."
Because for all the hell he put my angel through, all the pain and fear he caused her... I'm going to make him pay. I'm going to make him suffer in ways he can't even fucking imagine until he's begging for the sweet release of death.
A group of pirates swagger in, all decked out in silver and blue colors. The captain, a tall fucker built like a goddamn brick shithouse with dark hair and piercing gray eyes, is sporting a tricorn hat like he's the king of the fucking sea. He scans our table, nodding at Gideon as he saunters over.
