Three men stand before us, and their stature takes me aback. They are massive and quite an intimidating group, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I find myself immediately wanting to know more about each of the men before me after reminding myself that I fought against men just as large in the trials.
Silas watches me, waiting for my reaction as he sets me down onto the bank from his arms.
“Briar, these are my top commanders in Andorwood. This is Larkin, who oversees our ocean fleet.”
Curiosity hits me from his name, and I narrow my gaze as I study his chiseled face—light colored hair, dark eyes, lean, and very tall. Larkin doesn’t meet my gaze, but instead keeps an eye on the raging ocean. Silas quickly moves on to the next man standing near Larkin.
“Hux Ackerley, who oversees all land operations.”
I glance at the Shadow Wielder. His large, bright blue eyes shine in the night, and a twinge of nerves twists in my stomach. I square my shoulders, not showing an ounce of weakness in their presence.
Silas continues, “And this is Warrick Pierce. He oversees Larkin and Hux and is my right-hand man.”
Warrick dips his head in respect.
Silas continues, “You can formally meet them later, and I promise they will each be a huge pain in your ass at some point.”
Warrick’s dark eyes find mine, and a kindness sits behind them that eases my growing anxiety almost instantly.
“Nice to meet you, Briar,” Warrick says. “We’ve all been impatiently waiting to meet you.”
They all bow in my direction in unison, and I cut my gaze toward Larkin once more, who yet again won’t meet my stare.
“They are going to get Myah on the ship safely,” Silas says, sternly. “Aren’t you?”
The men nod at Silas, keeping their gaze focused on the task at hand.
I cough again. “It’s nice to meet you all.” I glance behind me. “I’m sorry about your ship.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time Silas sank one of my ships,” Larkin mumbles under his breath.
Hux nudges his shoulder, and Silas shoots them both a warning look.
Warrick steps forward. He is the largest of the three, standing as tall as Silas and nearly as broad—though a few years older. His hair is as white as snow, and his eyes are almost as black as the churning sea surrounding us—a Lumor Wielder.
“Sir,” his strong voice echoes above the waves, “where is Xena?”
Silas’s expression turns harsh, giving Warrick the hint not to continue the conversation. “We will discuss that later.”
Silas turns toward me, still dripping wet and freezing.
“You.” Silas points at me, his gaze stern, and his tone holds a command that makes my skin crawl. “You are coming with me. We are going to get you dry, and there is someone else I’d like you to meet.”
“Oh, lucky Briar.” Warrick huffs a laugh and smiles. “You get to meet perhaps the biggest pain in all our asses.”
Silas chuckles. “You would know.”
The other men remain silent, and I watch them all closely, studying their interactions. They are disciplined, but I can tell they are friends on and off the battlefield, having gone throughmany challenges together. I narrow my gaze, examining each of them, and wonder what it’s been like to be here with Silas all this time.
Silas nods in the men’s direction, a silent order on the next steps from here, and grabs my hand.
We move through the air like mist before landing in a small, dim cabin on the other ship. Tiny candles line the wooden walls, and the bed in the far corner is covered with onyx silk sheets. There is a desk in the middle of the room covered with papers and maps. It’s cozy and much nicer than the ship we just spent weeks on.
“I hope you know letting you do that on your own nearly killed me, but people’s lives were saved because we acted so quickly. You came with orders tonight in a crisis. You had a plan.” Silas steps back to look me in the eyes. “You acted like a queen tonight, Briar.”
My expression tightens. “I did what had to be done. I knew I could save her while you protected the others.”
He reaches for me again, placing his hand behind my neck and pulling me close. “You are going to make an incredible ruler, Briar.” His lips find mine, gentle and soft, and I return the kiss. As he pulls away, a shiver runs through my body. “Let’s get you dry and changed.”
