Page 102 of Claimed By the Depths

I studied his defined jaw, cresting over it to the beard that adorned his features. Mouth slightly agape, newfound peace painted him with a boyishness I knew he’d never been granted. All tension had vanished, replaced by the man Sorva had snuffed out—a man who was beyond tender, compassionate, and endearing.

His beauty mirrored the sea, dark and alluring yet just as devastating. Crafted by the gods with strength, his essence stood in opposition, a clash of forced expectation and desired simplicity. Where he was capable of decimating kingdoms, he longed to remain an observer. A silent watcher. A protector.

Cupping his face, I swept my thumb over his cheek. “Cas.”

He leaned into my touch and pressed a soft kiss to my palm. “Hmm?”

“How long have you been awake?”

“I’ve been resting my eyes,” he hummed, the gravelly depth of his unused voice going straight to my core.

Lips meeting his neck, I breathed, “That doesn’t answer the question, Captain.”

“You can’t do that.” His actions clashed with his words as he lifted his chin to grant me more access.

My canines ghosted over his pulse point. “What is it that I cannot do?”

Turning onto his side, the arm he’d wrapped around me cinched down before he rolled onto his back once more. His hands moved to my thighs as he positioned me above him, the blankets cascading over my shoulders. “Tease me,” he growled, kissing my temple.

“If I were teasing you”—I pushed myself upright and rolled over his stiffness—“then I would be doing this.”

“Fuuucking hell,” he huffed, massaging my hip. “You can stay like that for as long as you wish, because gods, you are beautiful.”

Warmth crept up my neck. It was the first time I’d ever laid myself bare for a man beyond intercourse, and the way Caspian held me and looked at me as if I were someone worth cherishing, mended some of the fractures Malrik had carved into my soul.

Where I once would’ve recoiled and used the sheets to shield myself, I allowed them to fall. Crimson irises sweeping over me with nothing but admiration, Caspian mapped every inch of me. Eyes hungry, he trailed over my minimal curves and the femininity I believed I lacked—the femininity he urged me to embrace.

Lifting his other arm, he withheld touching me as his gaze met mine. “May I?”

“Please,” I whispered.

With my permission, he obliged, fingertips grazing up my sides before moving to do the same along my spine. “You are stunning beyond definition.” His touch traced my lower back, and his attention didn’t waver. “While I am unable to do so now, please know that as soon as I take my father’s place, I will divide mountains for you, eradicate all who oppose you, and ensure those devoted to me will kneel at your utterance.”

Dragging my nails down his torso, I leaned forward until my nose brushed his. “Just as I told you, Caspian Vayne, you are a treasure, invaluable and irreplaceable. When I considered my essence asphyxiated, you revived it and reminded me why life was worth fighting for. You’ve shown me the beauty in vulnerability and the depth of devotion, and I can say with certainty that there is no other man I wish to stand beside. While you divide mountains, I will part seas. Where you promise to eradicate all who oppose me, I will drown those foolish enough to challenge you. And every soldier who will, by default, serve me will honor you as if they were yours.”

Caresses remaining light, a languid smile painted his expression. Basking in the warmth it brought, I melted into his touch as his arms encircled me. With our bodies flush, I loosed a sigh and nuzzled my face into the crook of his neck. With proximity as my aid, I devoured his scent and the comfort it brought. My lids fluttered, but before my mind could drift, knuckles drummed against the door.

“The two of you haven’t killed one another, have you?”

Syoran.

“Fuck off, Kao,” Caspian called back, the playfulness in his timbre irrefutable.

A chuckle, and then, “Rohen?”

“I’m good,” I answered, trying to fight off my laughter.

“Oh, good. I’m glad the vengefulness you both wield like a blade didn’t result in a bloodbath, because godsforbid, that would be a fucking nightmare to clean up.”

Groaning, Caspian kissed the crown of my head before posing, “What do you want?”

Syoran whistled. “Damn. I have to want something now to speak with you through a closed door? I remember the days when you used to let me in just to ask me to bend you over your⁠—”

“Syoran.”

“Caspian.”

“Wait, what?” I gasped and slipped away from the captain’s hold to better angle myself toward the thick slab of wood.