"Hey, Captain Horndog!" Lucian calls out with irritation. "I know my girl here is a total smoke show, but how about you keep your eyes above sea level, if you know what I mean? Wouldn't want you to strain something trying to undress her with your mind."
Erik coughs, choking and sputtering like a drowning man smacked in the face with a tidal wave of Lucian's sudden jealousy streak. The man is usually as calm and composed as a cucumber in an ice bath, but even he can't keep his stoic facade intact in the face of Lucian's territorial bullshit.
Gideon blinks, taken aback by Lucian's sudden display of possessiveness. "Apologies, mate. Meant no disrespect to ye or the lady. Just tryin' to be friendly-like is all."
"Lucian," Erik admonishes, his voice strained but still somehow managing to sound like he's scolding a misbehaving child. "Perhaps it would be wise to show a bit more decorum in front of our new acquaintance."
Lucian rolls his eyes, his grin turning sharp and dangerous. "Decorum? Is that what we're calling it now? Nah, I think I'll stick with good old-fashioned honesty, thanks. And honestly? Captain Charmless over there needs to keep his eyes and thoughts to himself before I show him exactly what happens when you try to poach another man's mate."
"Seraphina, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Erik says, his tone polite and composed, even as he's still trying to catch his breath from his little choking fit.
Seraphina smiles serenely, seemingly oblivious to the testosterone-fueled drama unfolding around her. "It's lovely to meet you all."
Gideon salutes his mug and winks, "Cheers, lass."
Lucian looks like he's about two seconds away from leaping across the table and throttling Gideon with his bare hands.
His gaze darts back to Seraphina, and he shoots her a wink, his eyes sparkling with mischief and possessiveness. Seraphina blushes, caught off guard by the sudden attention from both men, her cheeks turning a delightful shade of pink.
Everyone launches into a heated discussion about ship repairs and our next move. I chime in, reminding them of our need to head to Serraphatic Cove to find the key I'm supposed to locate.
How the hell am I going to accomplish that feat is anyone's guess, but I've learned to roll with the punches when it comes to this whole "Chosen One" gig.
I lean in close, my voice low and laced with concern. "I know this all may seem really strange to you. I'm so sorry, Seraphina, that you're in this position." The words feel hollow, inadequate in the face of her sacrifice. She lost her home, her very purpose, because of me, because of my father's actions.
But Seraphina, ever the picture of grace, shakes her head, and her smile is gentle and understanding. "Don't blame yourself, Dani. It was my decision, my consequence. I'm okay with it."
She sniffs and then stares into her mug as if the universe's secrets might be hidden in its murky depths.
Sensing her unease, I nudge her gently. "It's ale; it has a kick to it. Try it." I encourage her, hoping to distract her from her heavy thoughts.
She raises the mug to her lips, taking a tentative sip. Almost immediately, she starts coughing, her eyes watering as the alcohol burns its way down her throat. "It burns," she gasps, rubbing at her neck. But to my surprise, she goes back for more, her eyes widening with each gulp. "But it's good," she admits, slamming the empty mug on the table.
The table falls silent, everyone's jaws practically hitting the floor as we watch this angelic creature throw back her drink like a seasoned sailor. Oblivious to our stunned reactions, Seraphina wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. "More?"
Lucian, who looks like he's about to combust, leaps to his feet, his chair clattering to the ground in his haste. He stumbles over to Seraphina, his usual cocky swagger replaced by a nervous energy that's both endearing and hilarious. "Yeah, I-I got it... just wait, right there," he stammers, his voice cracking like a pubescent boy's.
I can't help but laugh at the sight of Lucian, the smooth-talking, unflappable vampire, reduced to a bumbling mess in the presence of his celestial mate. For her part, Seraphina seems blissfully unaware of the effect she's having on him. She smiles that sweet, innocent smile. "Thank you," as if he's just offered to pass the salt.
"Erik says Seraphina's scent is... distracting,"Rhyland's deep, commanding voice echoes through my mind, his tone laced with a hint of primal possessiveness.
I glance over at Erik, noting how his muscles are coiled tight, his jaw clenched as if fighting an internal battle. Shit. If Erik, the master of self-control, struggles to keep his cravings in check around my scent, I can only imagine the effect Seraphina's pure Atherian essence has on him.
"Is he going to be okay?"My concern bleeds through our mental connection.
"He'll manage,"Rhyland assures me."But it's not easy. She's potent, her scent a siren's call to our baser instincts. Even I'm finding it... challenging to ignore."
I can feel the tension rolling off Rhyland in waves, his every muscle flexed as he fights to maintain control. It's a side of him I rarely see, the raw, animalistic power that lurks beneath his calm exterior. The knowledge that Seraphina's mere presence can bring such powerful vampires to the brink of their control is both thrilling and terrifying.
"What can we do to help?"I ask, my mind racing with possibilities.
"For now, we endure. We are not slaves to our impulses. We are warriors and leaders. We will master this, as we have mastered every challenge before."
His words show a steely determination. At this moment, Rhyland is every inch the alpha male, the unquestioned leader of his kind. His strength, his unwavering control, is a force to be reckoned with.
Erik and Rhyland struggle against their instincts. Our very essence calls to them a temptation that would bring lesser beings to their knees.
But my vampires are no ordinary men. They are warriors, leaders, and kings among their kind. And they will not be brought low by base desires, no matter how potent the lure.
