“Griffin!” Viktor’s shout drew his attention, and turning towards it, he found the man was already half-way to shore, Niko fifteen feet ahead of him.
Steeling his nerves and forcing down the fear that gnashed into him, Griffin paddled around to face Violencia and began his swim towards it.
All I wanted was my mom. To rescue her. How did I end up here?
He had zero clue what he would find. Or really what he was supposed to be doing. But he would just have to figure that out.
And when he made it back home?
He would beat his brother into a pulp for this shit.
Chapter 8
Six Stones in His Stomach
Levi
Present Day – Catastro Sea
Levi held Raven tightly to him, until it wasn’t enough, tugging her up into his arms instead.
“Always manhandling me,” she said softly in his ear as he took them outside, but she didn’t fight him on it, instead snuggling closer to his chest, her head on his heart.
He needed air, needed room to exist. While the ship itself was huge, it wasn’t built for men his size. And being on it had made him sick, or maybe it had just propelled him into it further. He had woken up nearly every morning unable to keep anything down, but now with her in his arms, he was beginning to feel better.
A salve.
Just as she had always been.
Once outside, he didn’t let her go, simply walking them to the banister, away from any prying eyes. “Raven, are you okay darlin’? I know you just woke up and already are being thrown around into another…”
“Another game?” She looked up at him with glassy eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She twisted towards the water. “The ocean reminds me of Jayce.”
“It’s a sea.” Levi wished he could smack himself.
But Raven just laughed, the soothing lilt going directly to his dick. “Levi.” She sobered. “Let me down?”
He didn’t like her tone, but he acquiesced, gently placing her on her feet, the banister at her back and him in front of her. Keeping her safe, keeping her near him.
For her sake. And his.
He bent forward, his lips brushing hers. He paused, waiting for her to stop him, but instead, she leaned forward. Into him. Her soft lips exactly as he remembered as he wrapped an arm around her waist, melding her frame to his. Every good piece that existed in his world was right here before him. He knew that Raven would not be his alone, but he accepted the parts of her he had. He was grateful. After his wife, Violet, died at the Government’s hands, he never expected to love again. But he realized he hadneverbeen in love with Violet. Simply going through the motions of what he thought he should do.
Finally pulling apart, he released Raven, allowing her space to breathe and for himself to get under control.
Raven lifted her hand up to Levi’s jaw, cupping it. “I like this beard you’re growing out.” Her eyes crinkled in amusement, but then they turned unfocused.
“Griffin is the prince of Grypheem.”
He wasn’t sure if it was a question but nodded his head nonetheless. “It seems like it. And apparently you are all a part of their plan to start a war with Violencia.”
Raven appeared to mull over the information, her full bottom lip rolling between her teeth. Levi watched the move, transfixed.
“Griffin told the Priestess that I am marrying him.”
It took a few beats for Levi to register her words. Several more to process. A couple extra to control himself. “Did he now?”
He gripped the banister tightly, squeezing it as if it were Griffin’s neck.
