Page 30 of Claimed By the Depths

“You good, Levitte?” Alastair called to me, palm settled on the pommel of his sword as he descended the ship with Leilani right behind him. “Or have you lost your mind already?”

My fist greeted his shoulder with enough force to remind him of my nonexistent patience. “My sanity is none of your concern, Seridean. Besides, shouldn’t you be focusing on things far more pertinent? You know, things that could be taken⁠—?”

His fingers were around my throat before I could draw in another breath, and with one harsh yank forward, his nose fell inches from mine. “Insinuate some shit like that with me again, and I will ensure you don’t make it out of here alive, Levitte. If you wish to be angry because I tossed you back onto my ship, then be angry, but do not fucking test me.”

The corners of my mouth twitched into a snarl. “Y-You wish to test Ellira?”

“I don’t give a damn which goddess or god I have to repent to. If I must remind you of the reason I served alongside the man we are working to free, I will.” He pulled me closer, lips grazing the shell of my ear. “You disrespected me on my ship, as well as disrespected one of my men. I do not take such traitorous acts lightly. So, please, if you wish to asphyxiate on the darkness of my essence, continue to challenge me.”

With a harsh shove, he loosened his hold. Nearly tripping over my own feet, I sucked in the oxygen he’d deprived me of. Once I gathered my bearings, I spun on my heel, dagger ready and teeth bared, but Kael was there, staging himself between us.

“Must we confine one of you to the ship?”

“No,” Alastair and I hissed at the same time.

A chuckle followed, belonging to none other than Caspian’s current second. “What happened to your blossoming friendship?”

“He elected to make a godsdamned decision for me, and you’re well aware of my thoughts on the matter,” I spat, glaring at Syoran.

“She,” Alastair started with emphasis, “wished to make an idiotic decision, and I prevented her from doing so. Apparently, she has lost all logic and forgotten she is tied to the prophecy, which means without her, Wraelira will never be free.”

Silence.

Even our surroundings seemed to hold their breath as Alastair and I glared at one another, fingers inching toward weapons we wished to wield. With our tempers flaring, the sky responded. A subtle trickle of rain brushed against my forearm as another kissed the side of my throat, caressing where Alastair had touched.

“Well?” Kael prompted, looking between us.

“It seems Caspian’s ex-best friend has a clear head on his shoulders,” Ellira intercepted. “He has a point, and you’re well aware.”

“Shut up.”

She stroked up our bond, the touch ghosting along my jaw. “Your anger is a weapon, Rohen, but you are wielding it poorly. Caspian will remain where he is if you continue challenging Alastair, which, again, I am sure you understand. The defensiveness you feel is the pull of a Mizani; do not allow it to wear on your sanity, for it is more than capable of doing so.”

“You’re telling me I will go insane for a man?” I huffed, eyes rolling. “Hilarious.”

“Are you not already?” Ellira questioned firmly. “Mizani are beautiful, but they are deadly together. That is why Sorva has separated you. The draw you feel toward Caspian is being met with ‌repulsion from her. That opposition can and will test you. But reacting like this? It is what Sorva wants because it can dismantle everything you have fought for.”

Before I could reply to my mother, Syoran moved to stand beside the former prince. “Rohen, Kael, and I will scour the northern part of Hollowmere. Alastair—you, Leilani, and Parran will focus on the southern part. That way, everyone has a bit of time to cool off.” His attention fixed on me as if he had heard the conversation I’d been in the middle of having with the Goddess of the Sea, that flare of concern lingering in his dark irises. “Good?”

Too hung up on Ellira’s incessant warning, I dipped my chin and turned my back to them, storming toward the innards of Hollowmere.

We were here to hunt for one of the five artifacts and start unwrapping the prophecy. But to me, it wasn’t solely about that.

I was here to oppose the Others and remind her of all that awaited her demise.

I was here to uncover the truth within my bond and the power lingering just below the surface.

I was here for him.

CHAPTER 16

Devourer of Souls

CASPIAN

Asharp snap ripped through the air, the wind threatening to tear through the intricately woven canvas sails as if they were made of paper. Pelting the deck, the rain wasted no time dampening the clothes of Malrik’s men as they struggled to control the braces beneath Ellira’s wrath.

Oh, little siren, you’re well aware of my approach, aren’t you?