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Esmyra

E smyra stormed through the castle corridors, her vision blurred with rage and betrayal. Her chest felt like it was splitting open, her mind reeling with what she’d just seen.

The image of Draevyn’s lips on Syrena’s—her sister’s —was burned into her memory, replaying again and again until she thought she might scream from the torment of it.

Every breath felt heavy, searing her throat as she stumbled forward. She didn’t know where she was going; she just needed to be anywhere but there—standing in the doorway of his bedchamber as her heart shattered.

That very heart had remained unyielding to all her entire life—until him . Until the son of her godsdamn enemy clawed his way through it and melted the ice it was encased in with his flame.

Her feet carried her through shadowed passageways, out through a narrow door, and then she found herself in the inner gardens— their garden.

The place they met in the mornings, where they sparred, laughed, and stole glances when no other eyes were there to watch.

The place where her walls began to crumble—where she thought he’d only seen her .

But he hadn’t .

If your sister was the one I wanted in my bed, I wouldn’t try to hide it.

Liar. Draevyn Rowe was nothing but a fucking liar.

She looked around at the familiar ground, bathed in the pale merlights acting as the morning sun, and felt a sharp pang of fury she couldn’t contain. Her hands clenched at her sides, talons extending and digging into her palms until they drew blood.

Esmyra spotted the spears they’d used, propped neatly against a nearby stone, and strode toward them.

Her fingers wrapped around the handle of one, and with a cry that ripped from the depths of her chest, she raised the spear and brought it down, snapping it over her knee.

The jagged ends splintered in her hands, but it wasn’t enough.

She tossed the pieces aside and grabbed another, slamming it against the stone until it, too, broke into useless fragments—a reflection of her own shattered heart.

She didn’t stop. She couldn’t. One by one, Esmyra tore through every weapon they had collected over their time there.

The sound of shattering wood and clattering metal echoed through the empty garden.

Her arms ached, her breath coming in shallow gasps, but she kept going, as if each snap and break could somehow mend what splintered in her chest.

Visions of the prior night flooded her mind—Draevyn holding her in his arms, kissing her, claiming her to only be his . For the first time in her life, she saw a glimpse of love and what she’d imagined it felt like. But it was all a lie.

A scream clawed up her throat and tore from her lips, raw and furious, reverberating into the air. The force of it left her breathless, dizzy, and she could’ve sworn the palace shook in her fury.

How could Draevyn have done this to her? Why ?! She’d let herself trust him—allowed herself to care for him. And despite all her caution, she’d given him her heart, only to have him betray her with the one other person she thought understood her.

And she couldn’t let Syrena hold blame—Esmyra had lied to her face, claiming she felt nothing for Draevyn .

Stupid . She had been so fucking reckless and stupid in so many ways.

The sharp edges of the broken wood bit into her palms, and she welcomed the sting, the pain grounding her as her emotions swirled in uncontrollable waves.

She stood there, feeling entirely hollow, as if everything she’d fought for, everything she’d hoped for, had been snatched away in a heartbeat by the man who had given her the hope to begin with.

Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. Draevyn didn’t deserve her tears—no man ever fucking deserved a woman’s tears. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her break.

Esmyra squared her shoulders, squeezing her eyes shut, forcing herself to hold on to the anger, to let it harden and shield her from the pain that lingered just beneath. Her fury flooded her veins, igniting every part of her like molten metal and pouring over the wounds he’d left raw.

The anger was different from any she’d felt before—not a sharp, impulsive flash, but a slow, burning flame that took root in her heart, consuming every tender feeling she once had for him.

Esmyra showed him pieces of herself she’d never shown anyone, yet he’d thrown it away as if it meant nothing, when he knew it meant everything.

The Rowes had taken everything from her—her father, her crew, and now her heart, leaving it as she once claimed it to be.

Black —hollow and devoid of guilt. The heart of a Blackwood.

The world labeled her a monster, but every time she tried to prove she was anything but, it only coerced her into falling more into the title’s grasp.

The rune-carved bones in the crypt flashed across her mind, and she felt that pull to them once more. It was as if they were calling to her, beckoning her home.

She knew the crypt held the answers she needed.

If the realm believed Esmyra Blackwood was a wretched, raging beast, then may the gods help them if they ever met Kaelypso Aeress .

Esmyra felt that power in those remains—could practically feel it sparking at her fingertips in her rage, and she vowed that with it, she would become as unyielding as the sea.

Ruthless. Dangerous. And lethal .

She stood tall, straightening her spine and holding her head high as she walked back through the gardens and headed toward the great hall as she did every morning. Acting as if nothing had even happened at all as she prepared to face him.

Esmyra lifted a ripe, glistening piece of fruit to her lips, savoring its sweetness with each slow bite.

The light cast through the great hall’s tall windows, and everything seemed almost peaceful as she sat alone, taking her time.

Each chew, each swallow, felt like an act of rebellion.

She refused to let anyone see a crack in her composure.

The heavy doors swung open, and Syrena stumbled in, breathless, eyes scanning frantically until they landed on her. She crossed the room in a hurry, looking flustered, her usually poised expression replaced by worry mixed with guilt.

“There you are!” Her sister’s voice was full of relief. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I…I’m so sorry, Esmyra. He invited me into his room and I didn’t realize…” She hesitated, glancing down at her feet, struggling for the words. “I thought you held no feelings for him.”

Of course she thought that. And it was Esmyra’s fault.

Esmyra held her gaze steady, reaching for another piece of fruit as if Syrena’s words were nothing more than idle chatter.

She tilted her head slightly, a feigned look of confusion masking the blaze inside.

“What are you talking about?” She gave a light, dismissive smile and took a slow bite.

“Please, don’t assume such things. I feel nothing for that man. ”

Syrena blinked. “But…your eyes. The way you…you ran from the room, Esmi.” Her tone softened, nearly pleading. “I didn’t know. I swear this to you.”

Instead of lashing out, she let out a soft, almost dismissive laugh.

“Really, Syrena, you’re reading far too much into things.

I don’t concern myself with him,” she stated, crossing her arms. “Perhaps it’s you who sees him that way.

After all…” A click of her tongue sounded. “He’s repeatedly tried to seduce you.”

“No, I…” Her sister’s voice trembled slightly, a glimpse of vulnerability that she hadn’t seen in her before. “I only meant that if I’d known, I would’ve stayed away.”

Too late for that, she thought bitterly, though she forced a soft smile. “Please. Do what you like with him.” Esmyra chose each word carefully to mask her anger. “It’s not my business, and I’ve no desire to make it so.”

Her sister blinked, her cheeks coloring as she nodded hesitantly. “I…I would never want to hurt you.”

“Of course not,” Esmyra said, lifting her hand to brush a nonexistent crumb from her dress. “But as I said, there’s nothing to hurt. He and I mean nothing to each other. Just two strangers stranded.”

Syrena looked uncertain, glancing down as if weighing her next words, but finally, she nodded. “Would you mind if I join you, then?”

“Aye, by all means.” Esmyra gestured to the table.

Syrena came to sit beside her. “I ran after you,” she said quietly. “He decided to stay behind, but I needed to find you.”

For a fleeting moment, her sister’s words softened her walls, and an ache stung her chest. He didn’t even care to explain himself , she thought. Instead, Draevyn had stayed behind in his chambers, hiding in the very place he shattered her trust.

Her eyes met Syrena’s, and she knew then that the only person she could trust was her own true flesh and blood. Draevyn wasn’t her mirror, as she believed him to be. No, her mirror was who it was always meant to be—her twin and equal.

“Well, good.” Esmyra said. “I’ve been looking forward to spending time with my sister, anyway.”

Syrena shifted in her seat, her fingers tracing circles around the rim of her glass as she drew in a slow breath. Her golden waves rose and fell with the movement.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” she began, her voice quiet, almost hesitant. “Something…about our past. I haven’t found the right moment to tell you. I planned to after the celebration last night, but I couldn’t find you.”

Esmyra’s pulse quickened, her mind instantly going to the tomb and who was hidden there.

“Now may certainly not be the right time, but I just can’t keep it from you any longer. You deserve to know, and I would hate for you to think I keep secrets from you.”

Esmyra placed her hand atop Syrena’s on the table. “What is it?”

Having discovered the truth about Maerinys in her visions, she discreetly tested Syrena to see if she would speak the truth of their kingdom’s past.

Syrena’s thumb grazed along the top of Esmyra’s hand.

“I was young when they told me—those who survived the fall. The people of Maerinys raised me since I was just a babe. They protected me as I grew up, and slowly—when they felt I was ready—they began to reveal bits of our past. And the true reasons as to why Maerinys fell. Azarian took over from there, revealing truths that weren’t public knowledge and showing me what it would take to reclaim what’s rightfully ours. ”

Esmyra stayed silent, keeping her expression steady, though her mind raced.

“Azarian told me of a power we both share,” Syrena continued. “A legacy we come from, tied to both the sea and the strength of the gods.”

Esmyra took a deep breath as the memories of the vision overwhelmed her.

“I didn’t understand it all, not at first,” Syrena admitted. “But this isn’t our first life lived, Esmyra.”

“And what do you mean by that?” Esmyra’s words were barely a whisper .

Syrena swallowed. “Do you remember when you spoke of the sea goddesses having abandoned our world?”

Esmyra nodded.

“They’re not lost,” she admitted. Her sister stood from her chair, offering her hand, and coaxed Esmyra from her seat. “I found a way to find the truth for myself, and there’s something I want to show you. Will you come with me?”

She gave a silent dip of her chin in answer.