Page 248 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

“So are you.”

Rian’s lips crash into mine once more, and I rush to untie his pants, my hands trembling with nerves and want.

A knock slams against the door.

We freeze.

“Uh, Rian?” Jaxon calls through the closed door.

Another knock.

“Not now,” Rian snaps.

His fingers drag up my spine before tangling in my hair. He places an open-mouthed kiss to my throat that makes my knees weak.

“Sorry, brother, but this is important.”

Rian’s growl tingles against my skin.

He draws back, and his eyes lock on mine for one suspended heartbeat before he tears his gaze away from me and turns toward the door.

“What is it?” he barks.

Jaxon’s regret seeps through the thick wood. “There’s a ship on the horizon…and it’s flying King Marek’s colors.”

45

The crest of the rising sun peeks over the horizon, but its light never truly reaches us. A shroud of darkness clings to the ship, muting the gold dawn.

I stand with my back pressed to the port-side railing, fingers curled tightly around the damp wood as I stare across the deck.

Rian, Jaxon, Draven, and Darius form a silent line near the bow, their attention fixed on the massive black ship cutting through the water toward us.

Only minutes ago, Rian wrapped his arms around me, his mouth desperate against mine. Now there is no trace of that male.

The Shadow Prince stands rigid, expression carved into stone. Shadows pool at his feet like obedient hounds as he waits to see who dares approach on one of his uncle’s vessels.

The deck begins to fill.

Men, women, and children emerge from below, summoned by Rian’s cadre to “greet” our visitor. The word echoes uneasily in my mind.

My stomach knots.

Rian hadn’t known this ship was coming. I’d seen it in his reaction.

The flash of fury in his eyes.

His shadow’s immediate readiness for violence.

The way he and his cadre now stand braced, darkness cloaked thickly around them, tells me everything I need to know.

They’re preparing for battle.

But I seem to be the only one concerned.

The defecting Virendrellians converse and smile with ease, taking this moment to bask in their successful escape.

“What’s this I hear about one of the Shadow King’s lackeys gracing us with his presence?”