“WHO ARE THE WARRIOR PRINCESSES?!” Adalard shouted, his fists pumping as he high-fived Ha’ven mid-air.
Zoran clutched his chest. “I’m going to need a second heart at this rate.”
“Still no Jabir,” Mandra muttered. “Where’s my boy? I know he’s somewhere.”
Trelon popped more popcorn into his mouth. “He’s probably on the Isle of the Monsters since we haven’t seen him yet.”
“I hope you’re right,” Mandra muttered, running his hands through his hair. “Seeing this, he’s probably in a safer place.”
Trelon leaned back, reaching for another handful of popcorn. “Jabir… and monsters. How many do you think he’ll want to bring home? Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Kids Who Torture Their Dads.”
Mandra groaned into his hands.
“You’ve got to admit, it would be pretty cool to be there with them right now,” Vox commented, watching Roam send another dozen evil pirates overboard.
“I’m really impressed with Amber and Jade’s weapon deployment strategy. It’s effective, and their power-to-unpredictability ratio is off the charts,” Creon said.
“I want a crate of those damn feathers. Just think what Cara and I could create with them!” Trelon responded with a wave of his hand at the screen.
“Yeah.” Zoran nodded. “But I think we need to ban the use of Demented Symbiots.”
“They fight dirty,” Trelon noted, wincing when he saw several attach themselves to the crotches of a group of pirates. “Ouch! That is going to cause a few nightmares.”
“I like the popcorn cannon and those whatever-they-are coming out of the water.” Adalard grinned.
“Sea monkeys. Goddess, I hope Jabir doesn’t bring any of those home,” Mandra muttered.
“Did you see the one climbing up the mast with a saber, chopping at the ropes? That thing had ambition,” Ha’ven said with respect.
“Hey, look! Ashure is giving the bone ship a massive dose of you’re screwed,” Zoran crowed as the Sea Wasp released a relentless barrage of cannon fire onto Blackheart’s remaining fleet. The massive ship listed to the back, the flagship slowly sinking into the waves. At the bow, rising higher and higher into the air, stood the half-monster/half-pirate captain, his claw gripping a rope while his eyes glittered with the promise of retribution.
Aminta smiled as she watched the group of fathers rooting for their children. She already knew what the outcome would be—even with no help from her. After all, what was it Jade had said?
Oh yes. There was no way anyone—not Blackheart, not Saldusa, not even the threat of being grounded for eternity—could stop the Dragonlings now.
The stars above the Isle of the Pirates glittered brighter than they had in centuries, as if the skies themselves had joined in the celebration. From the balcony of the palace, Ashure Waves stood with his arm wrapped tightly around Tonya, breathing in the salt-sweet air that carried the distant echo of music and laughter from the capital city below.
Magical lanterns flickered across rooftops. Flags waved from every mast. Bells rang out over the harbor, each chime a note in the song of a kingdom rejoicing.
Nothing says celebration like pirates winning a major battle! he thought.
He chuckled softly, his lips twitching as he glanced down at Tonya. She’d done her best to wash away the evidence of battle, but a smudge of soot still darkened the curve of her cheek and flecks of stubborn glitter clung to the backs of her hands and hair like stardust refusing to let go.
She caught his gaze and arched an eyebrow.
“What?” she demanded innocently.
He leaned down and kissed her—slow, warm, and full of quiet wonder.
“You are the most dangerous, dazzling, absolutely maddening woman I know,” he muttered against her lips. “And I’m proud to call you my wife.”
Tonya’s eyes crinkled as she smiled and leaned into his side. “You’re just saying that because I didn’t set the palace on fire while you were gone.”
“Oh, you were setting a few fires—just not in the palace,” he deadpanned, before adding, “Thank you for that.”
Below them, the garden buzzed with life. The young warriors—the Dragonlings, aka alien shapeshifters and energy sirens—were currently trying to balance a tray of delectable appetizers. Their boisterous laughter rose above the fireworks. They tossed snacks to each other while reliving every glorious, ridiculous moment of battle.
Ashure exhaled, his breath carrying a whisper of gratitude. Thank you, Goddess, for keeping them safe.
