Of course, she’d responded by punching him in the gut. He’d deserved it. Granted, she’d regretted it a little when she’d nearly sent him overboard, but he’d shut his mouth afterward.

Now, she’d give anything to see him topple over the side. He’d be fine. The asshole knew how to swim.

Ignoring the expectant weight of his gaze, she looked out at the endless expanse of the Dividing Sea surrounding them. The power she’d accessed back on Aleron seemed like a lifetime ago. Like something she’d only imagined.

If she was being honest with herself, everything that’d happened since she’d grabbed a sword and sparred Eithan in the training yard seemed like it’d happened to someone else.

She turned toward the stern and squinted into the distance. The coast of Aleron had disappeared long ago, filling her sight with nothing but rippling blue as far as her eyes could see.

It still didn’t seem real to be gone. To be heading somewhere where she wouldn’t have to hide. Somewhere that would value her for what she could do instead of stone her for it. It was just as exciting as it was terrifying.

“Sit.”

The gruff order was accompanied by the snapping of fingers, and Vera’s head whipped back, her mouth popping open. He did not just command her like a fucking dog.

When he answered her unspoken outrage with only a silent raise of his brow, she immediately darted her gaze around, looking for anything she could launch at his face. How this insufferable male could be her soul-bonded mate was baffling.

She was two seconds from removing a boot and sending it between his eyes when he tipped his head back and released a deep, rumbling laugh. The surprising sound wrapped around her, freezing her in place and snuffing out her irritation like it’d never existed.

She stared along the curve of his neck, latching on to the sound like an emotionally starved woman. And maybe she was. Things like laughter and joy were rare with him. It made him seem younger, less beaten and worn down by the world.

His smile widened farther at her obvious shock, and her body heated. Sometimes it was easy to forget that he wasn’t just another human man, especially since his hair now completely covered his ears, and he never used his abilities.

But there was no denying it when his smile revealed two sharp canines. Canines that had punctured her shoulder while his hand had been buried in her trousers, making her climax harder than she’d ever thought possible.

He’d claimed her, marking her possessively without a single hint of regret. She licked her lips, subconsciously lifting her hand to run her fingers along her clothed shoulder.

Jaren’s laughter cut off, and he straightened, his nostrils flaring as his eyes zeroed in on her hand. She dropped her arm like her shoulder was on fire, not wanting to draw his attention to what was there.

Or rather, what was supposed to be there.