Page 14 of Pirate Witch

“How?” Nos seems as confused as the rest of us.

He’s just as wounded as his brother, and he’s obviously exhausted because he wobbles on his feet for a few seconds before collapsing against the railing at the edge of the deck.

I can’t hold back the hysterical laugh that escapes me. Two massive leviathans just somehow merged into one. If the seer in the crew doesn’t know what happened, how the hell is anyone else supposed to?

Rysen flits across the deck and grabs two pairs of shorts from where the twins left their clothes earlier. He chucks one at Cas and passes the second to Nos, giving both of them the chance to dress before he speaks.

“What just happened?” There’s no judgement in his voice. Just a calm, soothing demand for answers.

Nos turns toward his sibling, looking just as clueless as the rest of us. “I don’t know.”

Cas massages his temples like he’s trying to ward off a headache. “Our pack used to tell stories of two headed hydras. Leviathan alphas who were equals in every way and could merge together. It’s a legend, really. The kind of inspirational, bloody tale you tell small boys who can’t keep still.”

“Yeah, but no one thought it wasreal.” Nos is struggling with this more than his twin. “I mean, Nona also told us biting our own tails too often would make it so we could only swim in circles.” He paces the deck, massaging the back of his neck. “I didn’t see this. Wouldn’t I have seen something this big?”

“You don’t get to choose what Fate shows you,” Klaus reminds him, giving him a pat on the back. “For whatever reason, your goddess wanted this to remain a surprise.”

Nos huffs in quiet, frustrated agreement, and Cas barely hesitates before continuing his explanation. “I think our beasts realised neither of them would win. When that happened, it was like the last barrier between us fell, and we merged.”

“So neither of you is dominant?” Val runs a hand through his hair in frustration. “And that’s not going to cause problems?”

The twins shrug in unison, but it’s Nos who answers. “My beast feels calm about it. I don’t have the urge to challenge Cas anymore.”

“At least that’s sorted,” Rysen says, nodding approvingly. “The moment that changes, you let us know. No more surprises like Cirio’s Cove.”

Nos gives us all a shy, apologetic smile. “I don’t think it will, but if it does, you have my word.”

Val starts climbing the steps back onto the upper deck, dismissing the matter. “Good. Now get yourselves cleaned up.”

Cas looks at me, his gaze heating, lingering on the way my dress has been plastered against my body by the splashing they caused. “Oh, we will.”

I give him a small smile. “I suppose I have to uphold my end of the bargain now.”

Instead of answering, Nos surprises me by bending down and picking me up, tossing me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I squawk in indignation, but the rest of the crew just laughs. One of them—I think it’s Rysen—spanks my ass as Nos carries me past the group and down the steps into the bowels of the ship.

Cas follows, grinning like a madman. It’s such a sexy look that I push against Nos’s back until my head is level with Cas’s, then use my free hand to drag his head to mine so I can kiss the expression away.

“Can we claim you now, princess?” he asks as I pull away. “I know we still have some work to do until we’re worthy of you, but I want my mark on your pretty neck.”

I can’t help smiling in return. “Shouldn’t you both be resting? You both took a beating out there.”

“Barely feel it,” Nos grunts, his hand slowly tracing fire up the back of my thigh.

My core is throbbing, practically begging him to move his fingers just a little bit further, but he doesn’t.

“We’ll be healed by the time we’ve washed off the blood,” Cas adds, pulling my mouth back to his.

I’m squirming between them by the time Nos kicks open the door to my cabin and sets me down in the middle of my own bathroom. My feet barely touch the floor before Nos fists his hand in my wet hair and drags me closer for a kiss that scorches me down to my bones. I have no choice but to press my palms against his bare chest or fall, which means Ifeelit when he growls against me.

I deepen the kiss and sweep my tongue out to tangle with his, teasing him with each stroke. In answer, his free hand traces a path down from my neck until it meets the straps of my dress. He snaps both with a single finger, before running his knuckles along the neckline in a clear threat.

I scoff; like the outfit isn’t already ruined?

“Do it,” I dare.

Rippp.

The soaked material doesn’t stand a chance against shifter strength. It falls to the floor with a dull splat that echoes through the room, and I can’t help but gasp as my nipples harden in response to the cold air. Two snaps later and my underwear follows the dress, leaving me completely exposed.