The closer we get, the more I see it isn’t a portal.
The tunnel ends, the opening in the rock leading to an enormous cavern, and my mouth drops open as I soak it in.
It looks like we are out on the surface, but we aren’t.
Light pours into the cavern from a fissure in the earth above, the glow from the suns the same as it was on the beach moments ago. Vast pools of water are scattered, edged by white sand beaches and rock formations. Leafy palm trees grow around the edges, casting shade in places and rustling in a wind that can only be explained by the magic of the island.
Dawnlin created a mini-Dawnlin, an oasis for the people who are trapped and unable to experience the beauty of the land during the day.
“Where does that open up?” I ask, pointing to the crack in the rock above. “How has no one found this place?”
“Our best guess is it’s between some of the dunes,” Auralie says. “But we’ve never seen it on the outside, and you can’t get through it. It’s not a portal. It’s more like a window.”
I stare at it in disbelief. Just when I think I’m getting used to the island, we find something new and even more amazing.
The Oasis is already full of chaos and laughter. Water splashes as the Castaways run through the beach, diving into the water, causing waves to waterfall into other pools. The cavern isn’t immune to the heat wave, and I’m glad to be a little more comfortable with the water now because the thought of cooling down is enticing.
“I’m so glad Captain decided on this today,” Stassia says as she peels her shirt over her head and tosses it onto the sand before shimmying out of her pants.
Auralie follows suit, and I balk. Neither of them show one shred of consciousness about stripping down to their undergarments amongst everyone in the crew. Their clothes and weapons pile up at their feet and they stride away, wading into the water.
“Are you coming, Lennox?” Auralie calls back at me as she lowers herself down.
“Don’t be shy,” Stassia says, gesturing around to everyone else who has also shed similar amounts of clothing. “Nobody cares.”
I look around at the rest of the Castaways, and Stassia is right. No one cares. All of them are similarly dressed, and because of last night’s lesson, I now understand why.
As the future queen, I’ve never been around anyone this undressed, partly because the weather and lack of swimming in Blackwood wouldn’t allow it. Only my handmaids had ever helped me bathe, as well as Sig when I first was released from the brig, but I didn’t consider that scandalous.
Last night, I’d been so concerned with Weston seeing me with almost no clothing in the dark, but little did I know that this was comfortable and familiar amongst the Castaways. He probably didn’t care at all.
Yet he still kept his eyes averted, respecting my request to look away, even when I hadn’t said it again. My chest squeezes and I fight the unexplainable urge to look around to find wherever he is in the cavern.
If we’re unable to replenish the dust, and this is what my life ends up being, I’m going to have to let go of the feeling that it is improper and disobedient.
I’m not in Blackwood.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I breathe deeply and lift my shirt over my head, tossing it on top of the pile beside me. My pants go next, and I stride toward the pool where they are wading. I feel like every eye is on me, even though I know they are not, and my skin tingles under the imaginary scrutiny. I’m hyper aware of every inch, feeling more exposed than ever before in my life.
Except last night.
I bound into the water, and any lingering hesitations after my lesson last night are gone when I see that the pool is similarly shallow. The cool water is an instant relief, and I sigh, letting my shoulders relax as I approach them. It’s surprising how comfortable I feel; such a huge contrast to the fear I felt only days ago.
Most of the Castaways are swimming in the pool just above us, and the frolicking and movement sends waterfalls cascading down the rock wall. The trickling of the water intermingles with the shrieks and laughter as everyone lets loose, enjoying their time. Someone cries out, and I glance over to see Fern cascading down a slide carved into the rock before she falls into the water, spluttering and laughing once she resurfaces. Others are climbing up a set of rugged steps to a platform and flinging their bodies off before crashing down and splashing everyone below.
This may be the first time in my entire life that I might actually have fun. There never were gatherings, or plays, no balls or competitions. The closest might have been the time in the tavern, but back then, I wasn’t partaking in any of the merriment.
I can here.
There’s no one to remind me of how a princess should act, no lesson to get to, or orders to obey.
It’s just a group of people enjoying a slice of the endless time that they have together.
Fin screams, and I turn to see him fly through the air and splash into the water on the other side of the pool. He surfaces, gasping for air before yelling, “Again! Again!”
Weston’s deep laugh cuts through the noise and I realize he and Eirlik are tossing people through the air.
“I love it here,” I murmur, not talking to anyone in particular.
