Page 55

Esmyra

W ith a soft click, Esmyra closed the bedchamber door, the sound echoing in the silence. She leaned against the painted wood, her eyes squeezed shut as her mind raced.

What were they going to do? She was able to have Draevyn released from the cells, but she also wasn’t sure if that would benefit them or not, especially now that they both had guards just beyond their doors. Would she still have a guard if she hadn’t convinced Syrena to release him?

She blew out a breath and cracked her eyes open. The moment her vision adjusted, the lavishness of the room enveloped her, a stark contrast to the life she led aboard The Night Wraith . It was as if she had walked into a different world—one filled with elegance that felt entirely foreign.

Though she supposed that was exactly what happened.

Her lips parted as she took a step into the room, gazing in awe at everything it had to offer. She had looted and robbed ships and ports of every kingdom—had seen Lephyrin’s king’s personal bed chamber—but she had never seen something like this .

The walls appeared the same as the corridor with its coral carvings, while the ceiling shimmered with iridescent hues, glinting like scales in the light.

A magnificent bed stood in the center, draped in fabric that shimmered like liquid silver—its canopy woven with strands of sea silk.

Plush pillows in every size imaginable were piled high on the bed, begging for her to leap into them.

On either side, massive windows showcased a breathtaking view of Maerinys, framed by navy curtains with silver stitching.

“Wow,” she whispered, eyes wide as she gently placed her fingertips on the windowsill and peered out at the kingdom.

A door suddenly swung open to her left, startling her, before a small entourage of staff glided into the room.

“Kaelypso’s tits!” she screeched as she nearly leapt out of her skin.

“Welcome, Your Highness,” a woman greeted, her brow slightly raised at her outburst.

Your Highness.

Esmyra suppressed her laugh at the title.

In her life as a pirate, she was never one to adhere to nobility or courtly manners; she fought for every scrap she owned, bled for her crew, and lived by the tides. Her life was simple, and what surrounded her now was anything but.

It even represented everything she loathed about Draevyn’s lineage. And being surrounded by it now, the possibility of being a part of it, made her skin crawl.

“Please don’t feel the need to call me that,” Esmyra said, trying to make her tone soft.

The woman blinked, confusion flashing across her features, but it was there and gone in only a moment.

“We’ll prepare a bath for you,” she said with a cautious smile as the staff began to move about the room.

“The waters are infused with soothing herbs we’ve grown within Maerinys.

It will help you relax after your journey. ”

Prepare a bath? Gods, she’d mocked the lords and ladies of every kingdom her entire life for luxuries like that.

She nodded, feeling overwhelmed, not having any idea how to accept being pampered as if she were royalty.

They led her toward a beautifully crafted bathing alcove, where an enormous, deep tub carved from onyx stone awaited her, resembling a private lake within her chambers. As she inched closer, she blinked rapidly, half-expecting it to disappear.

Something like this wasn’t possible—though she assumed none of the past few days were either.

The indoor lake’s water glimmered, swirling gently with floating petals from delicate flowers. The scent of brine mingling with hints of jasmine enveloped her.

“We shall bathe you whenever you’re ready, Your Highness , ” a different handmaiden said.

Esmyra whirled to face them once more. “Please don’t call me that.” She forced a smile on her face, but she knew it didn’t reach her eyes.

The woman averted her gaze to the floor as her hands clasped in front of her. “And what shall we call you then?”

“Esmyra will do,” she answered. “After all, it is my name.” She tried to hide the sass from her tone but knew it was useless.

The three handmaidens dipped their chins in unison. “Forgive us, Esmyra.”

Esmyra blinked at them as she pursed her lips. “There’s nothing to be forgiven for. Though you should know there isn’t a way in any hell that I’ll allow you to bathe me. I’m more than capable of doing that myself.”

All three of their stares widened, and they glanced back and forth at each other in shock.

“We promise to have a gentle touch. And with all due respect?—”

“Once again,” Esmyra cut the woman off. “I’m more than capable of doing it myself.”

They all remained looking hesitant.

“If you fear you’ll be punished for it, by all means, blame me.” She winked. “Now, don’t make me threaten you.”

Wide-eyed, they all scurried out of the room in silence, the only sound the shuffling of their feet.

And then Esmyra was entirely alone.

Finally . She turned to face the bath, and gods, if it wasn’t the most glorious sight .

She peered into the floor-length mirror tucked away in a corner, and was appalled at the sight staring back at her—filthy and exhausted were a few words that came to mind, but it didn’t even scratch the surface.

Esmyra pulled her shirt off, allowing it to fall to the floor before shoving out of her ruined pants.

Letting out a huff, she gently swiped her hand across the water, welcoming the warmth it brought to her frigid skin.

She sat at the edge of the tub and allowed her body to shift, scales replacing sleek skin in the blink of an eye before she settled into the bath.

The bath was exactly what she assumed when she first stepped into the room, truly replicating a small body of water with stone that slowly dropped off and morphed into a sand-covered floor.

She dove beneath the surface and swam a few feet, allowing her eyes to illuminate the tub, finding that it seemed to stretch on an impossible distance.

A genuine smile formed as she took it all in. She missed the sea, missed the feeling of salt and sun on her skin. At least now she had one of those for the time being.

“Once you’re ready,” a handmaiden called softly through the door, the sound muffled, “we will help you choose an outfit suitable for your dinner with Queen Syrena.”

Groaning, she decided it would be best to explore her chambers later. With a single thrust of her tail, she was back at the edge of the pool, finding various jars of soap that she washed herself with, revelling in finally feeling clean for the first time in what felt like weeks.

Esmyra stepped out of the tub and wrapped herself in a towel.

A knock on the door sounded a moment later, and Esmyra cleared her throat. “Come in.”

Five maidens walked in—some appearing human, while others resembled the native warriors from when they were first bombarded in the caves, with fins adorning their forearms, cheeks, and spines.

One of them approached her, arms laden with light grey fabrics. “My name is Briar, and I will be your main handmaiden for your stay in the castle, Miss Esmyra. Are you ready to get dressed? ”

Esmyra glanced between the fabric in Briar’s arms and her eyes before skeptically saying, “Aye.”

She warily watched Briar as she moved around her, scenting the girl’s fear plain as day as it exuded from her, but one would never be able to tell by her face.

People easily sensed that something lurked beneath Esmyra’s skin. They were just clueless as to what it was. But Esmyra wasn’t even sure if that would matter in the sunken kingdom, or if it was even uncommon.

Briar gently placed her hand atop the small knot tying Esmyra’s towel. “I’m going to remove this if that’s alright with you.”

She swallowed thickly, her jaw locking. “If you must.”

Her new handmaiden smiled softly before removing her towel to begin dressing her. Briar wrapped Esmyra in soft, flowing fabrics that felt foreign against her skin before tying them tightly at the small of her back.

Esmyra loathed the feeling of someone else dressing her. However, if she were being honest…she wouldn’t know the first step of how to put the damn thing on to begin with.

“Is a fashion like this necessary for dinner?” Esmyra grumbled, already uncomfortable.

“You’ll be dining with Syrena’s council to discuss your journey here, and this was what she desired you to wear for your first meeting with them.”

Esmyra’s eyes flared and her neck snapped in Briar’s direction. “I’m sorry? Did you say council ?”

All the maidens looked uncomfortable at her outburst.

“I did. You and Sir Draevyn won’t just be having dinner with Queen Syrena, but her council and court as well.”

When Esmyra didn’t have an answer aside from her jaw locking, Briar continued. “This is how royals and females of higher nobility dress day-to-day. It’s very standard.” She paused. “Unlike the pants you arrived in.”

The other girls snickered across the space—some tidying up the room, while another combed Esmyra’s hair .

A soft, wicked chuckle slipped from Esmyra. “Bold of you to insult someone you fear.” Her voice was laced with venom, not appreciating their laughter.

Briar visibly froze, her green eyes widening as she met Esmyra’s stare. The maid cleared her throat. “Apologies, Miss Esmyra. It wasn’t my place.” She gestured to the floor-length mirror. “Why don’t you take a look for yourself?”

Taking a step up to the mirror, Esmyra’s brows shot up at the sight.

The garments were beautiful and wrapped in the same manner Syrena wore upon her arrival.

It crossed over her breasts, revealing far more skin than she was used to, while the high slits showed glimpses of her tanned, sleek legs with every step she took.

Esmyra didn’t recognize the woman staring back at her in the mirror, yet she didn’t balk at the sight either. The regal reflection staring back at her felt like a veil—a disguise masking the ruthless pirate beneath it.

“I look…”

“Beautiful,” Briar finished for her, though it certainly wasn’t the word she was going for. “Now, we really must be going if you’re to be on time for dinner,” she said before shuffling to the door along with the others.

Esmyra gave herself one more look over in the mirror—her hair already nearly dry and flowing in waves down her back. Her blue eyes seemed to illuminate in contrast to her grey dress.

She turned to the maidens, who stood at the door, waiting. “And what’s to be discussed at this dinner?”

“I already told you, Miss,” Briar started. “The topic of discussion will be you.”