Page 8

Draevyn

“ T en coins says she doesn’t show, Drae.”

Draevyn stared into the streets of the rundown port, ignoring Samwell, his first mate.

“You told her to be here at dawn. Well, it’s dawn, and still no sign of her. She likely just wanted your cock and presented you with a sob story from boredom when you declined her offer.”

A breathy laugh left Draevyn. “If she’s a true courtesan, she would’ve moved on into the next man’s lap without hesitation.

” He turned to Samwell just in time to watch his shrug.

“She was watching us. It’s clear we were her target.

I’m just not entirely convinced the reasoning was to leave the isle. ”

Truthfully, he knew this was madness. A man like him should know better. Was she bait in another man’s pawn? It wouldn’t be the first time a beautiful face sent a man straight to ruin. Too many tales began this way and ended in blood—or, in his case, ash.

When Draevyn laid eyes on Esmi in that tavern, it was akin to a bolt of lightning through the chest, waking him from a deep slumber.

Her stare…gods help him. It had been haunting him since the moment they parted ways, as if her piercing blue gaze was seared into his soul the moment they locked eyes.

And then her voice . Her voice was like velvet gliding over his skin .

She was trouble— that he was certain of. Trouble, however, always seemed to beckon him into its grasp.

“And you think bringing her aboard is wise?” Samwell asked, snapping him from his trance. “Perhaps she knows who you truly are and thinks you could be an in with the crown.”

“She doesn’t strike me as the type.” Draevyn sighed. “I also never told her my name. If she proves to be a dangerous person, it’s not as if she could do much against an entire crew of men.”

“All women want is a rich, powerful man. One that you scraped up from the depths of this gods-forsaken pirate haven is no different.” Samwell chuckled. “All this aside, we’re still no closer to finding this lost kingdom of riches your father has had us on the hunt for.”

When Draevyn didn’t answer, he continued. “You were certain that answers would be found at Anchorage Cove if any part of Maerinys is still reachable. We received nothing but threats…and a few added scars from said threats.” Samwell glared at the gash down his arm.

“It’s hardly my fault you were caught off guard in the middle of a tavern of criminals.” Draevyn raised a brow. “But maybe you’re right and she’s not coming.”

They made their way to the edge of the dock, and the moment Draevyn’s foot touched down into the pinnace that would bring them to their awaiting ship, a call drifting on the wind stopped him in his tracks.

A woman with long, black hair was running toward them down the dock, her slender hands lifting the hem of her dress before stopping in front of them at its edge.

Out of breath, she huffed at them, “No five-minute leniency with the crown, I see.”

Draevyn smirked. “You were told dawn.”

Esmi lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the now blinding sun. “Aye. Apologies, Captain.”

“ Aye ,” Sam mocked her, and she shot a dagger-like glance in his direction. “Perhaps you should learn to speak a bit more proper if you wish to start a life beyond brothels there, miss. ”

He jumped down into the awaiting boat.

Her stare narrowed on him, but then a smile graced her face, though there was a tightening around her eyes. “I shall do my best to learn the more common way of speaking.” Esmi gestured to the city behind her. “‘Tis a bit difficult given the circumstances previously dealt. Would you not agree?”

“And is there a reason your hair is soaking wet while you made us wait for your arrival?” Samwell spat.

She grinned. “Went for a swim.”

Draevyn stayed silent, watching their exchange.

Esmi has fight in her .

A curious thing for someone who was supposedly desperate to escape the life she claimed she had here. Though he was sure being here for a long while would make anyone more rough around the edges.

However, he couldn't shake his suspicions about her ulterior motives. His curiosity compelled him to ignore his better judgment and delve deeper. She was hiding something. He could see it in the way her hands hung loose at her sides while her eyes remained sharper than any blade.

Draevyn moved to stand at her side on the dock. “Arms out, love.”

Her gaze shot to him. “Excuse me?”

“Did you think that just because you’re a beautiful, young woman, that we wouldn’t expect treachery from you? I need to check you for weapons… Captain’s orders, I’m afraid.” Draevyn winked.

“You are the captain,” she growled.

“Something to hide?”

“Hardly.” Her voice became lethally sweet as she lifted her arms out at her sides. “Do your worst, Captain.”

Gods , this woman was already trouble.

He carefully guided his hands down her curves, being sure not to linger on any part. Moving down her arms, he tugged her sleeve up, and his eyes caught on a swirling red mark adorning her skin, resembling a burn.

Esmi ripped her arm from his grasp. “You may pat me down, Captain, but if your eyes wish to remain on my bare skin, that will cost you.” A threat lay beneath her words, catching him off guard.

“And would the cost be coin or my hand?” Draevyn taunted, but when her brows furrowed and the corner of her lip curved, it snapped him from his trance. He cleared his throat. “Apologies, Esmi. Ladies first,” he said, gesturing to the awaiting boat.

Sam extended his arm toward her, but she didn’t even offer a glance in his direction. Instead, she leapt down and took her seat along the bench without another word. His first mate gave him a wary look, as if he could already sense the trouble within her, just as Draevyn had.

He blew out a breath through his nostrils and took his place on the opposite end from Sam, and they began rowing back to their ship, The Odyssey .

With each heave of the oars, Draevyn watched Esmi sitting across from him.

“Ever been out at sea, miss?” Samwell interrupted the silence.

“Oh, yes, many times,” she answered, gazing out at the sea.

The slight widening of her eyes made Draevyn raise a brow. Perhaps her story about being trapped in Anchorage Cove wasn’t necessarily true.

“And when was the last time?” he interjected, his gaze locked on her as suspicion swirled in his gut.

“Many years ago,” she answered calmly, all signs of her panic gone once more.

She looked his way and smiled, but an icy chill ran up his spine the moment they locked eyes. He immediately averted his gaze, feeling an odd uneasiness beneath her stare.

Once they reached the starboard side of the ship, the crew sent down a rope-woven ladder, dropping it into the pinnace so they could climb aboard.

Samwell went first, easily climbing until he swung his body over the rails and onto the deck.

They continued to watch the few other crew members among them until only Draevyn and Esmi remained.

“You know the rules. Ladies first,” he cooed, and she gave him a look that made him believe she wished to give an eye-roll instead. “I’ll catch you if you fall.”

“Men,” she huffed, and then turned to face him.

“That won’t be necessary, Captain.” She stood from her seat and easily climbed the rope in her heeled thigh-high boots.

Esmi quickly reached the top and perched herself on the rail.

She gazed down at him with a smirk before swinging her legs over in tandem and disappearing over the rail’s ledge.

“What a woman,” Draevyn breathed before following her lead.