Spring snorted. “Yeah, I can just see you growing into a giant cat in a spaceship. I think that would be more like kitty-in-a-can.”
“True,” Roam said. His face twisted with distaste.
They laughed again, the sound carrying like birdsong across the deck. There was a bittersweetness underneath it now. Stronger. Wiser. Sharpened by experience, by challenge, by becoming something more than just dragonlings chasing adventure.
“I miss home,” Adaline said softly.
There was a chorus of agreement.
“I miss Dad’s chocolate lava cake,” Zohar said wistfully.
“I miss hanging out with James,” Jade added.
“And the others in the amusement park,” Amber said.
Phoenix smiled faintly. “This has been fun… but, I think next time I would rather just hang out at home.”
They all nodded.
“Yeah. I do feel different, though,” Balint said.
“I think I’m stronger, more confident,” Spring murmured.
“More aware of what’s going on, mature,” Roam said, cupping Spring’s hand and smiling at her when she nudged him affectionately with her shoulder.
Alice nodded, her eyes shining. ”I’ve learned a lot—about myself and about the universe.”
Zohar glanced at Phoenix. “Is there any chance you can time-portal us back to like, ten minutes after we left? You know, so the dads don’t completely lose it when we get home?”
Bálint snorted. “I think it is probably too late for that. I just hope they haven’t told our moms.”
A collective groan rippled through the group.
“We’re so going to be grounded,” Jade muttered.
“For centuries,” Adaline added.
Roam nodded solemnly. “Millennia. They’ll invent whole new time units just to ground us forever.”
Alice tilted her head. “Do you guys think Jabir’s okay?”
Roam smirked. “He’s probably sitting in the palace, eating the Empress out of her castle.”
Spring elbowed him. “You’re just jealous because he eats as much as you.”
Bálint chuckled. “It’ll take more than food to make him grow.”
Zohar made gobbling noises while flexing his arms. “I’m Jabir. I eat everything in sight!”
Adaline rolled her eyes and waved her fingers. A small cloud materialized over Zohar’s head and dumped a shower of rain over him.
“Hey!” he shouted, sputtering.
“Oh, how ever did you get all wet?” she asked sweetly.
Phoenix laughed with the rest of the group as Zohar playfully chased Adaline around, shaking water on her. She turned her gaze back to the sea, her smile fading slightly as her thoughts drifted.
The Isle of the Monsters.
