“Two gold coins,” Dolph said. “Each. Or she’d tell our folks.”
“Yeah, and she's only six years old! Can you imagine what she’s going to be like when she is older?”
“Six going on sea witch,” Juno said.
Zohar laughed—really laughed—his voice echoing off the high-vaulted walls as they left the map table behind and began their ascent up the winding stone stairs. Their footsteps echoed with a rhythmic beat.
The more they talked—the more stories the brothers shared—the more Zohar found himself comparing them to him and the other Dragonlings. Juno’s clever curiosity, Dolph’s determined focus… even their little sister’s blackmailing tendencies reminded him of Jabir’s infectious grins and Roam’s relentless teasing.
And of Amber and Jade arguing over who broke what invention this time.
His laughter faded slowly as they climbed higher, replaced by a quiet ache in his chest.
He missed them.
The joy. The noise. The chaos.
A sharp wave of worry rolled through him, tightening his throat.
Where are they? Are they safe?
His hand brushed the glowing edge of the map tucked under his arm as they reached the top of the stairs, and he glanced back once toward the quiet, shimmering pool of water at the heart of the archive.
He had no idea how long it would take to find them.
But for the first time since falling through the portal, he didn’t feel completely alone.
And maybe—just maybe—this unexpected detour was exactly where he needed to be.
To grow up and to learn what it means to be a genuine leader, he thought with a touch of self-effacement.
The hallway outside the upper chambers of the Sea Palace was dim, lit only by the gentle glow of bioluminescent coral embedded in the curved walls. It pulsed softly beneath the crystal stone, throwing delicate blue-green shadows across the floor. The air carried the faint scent of salt and lavender kelp oil—soothing, hypnotic.
Zohar crept behind Dolph and Juno, barefoot and quiet as a shadow. He had taken his boots off to keep from making any noise once they reached the upper levels of the palace.
They slipped through a side passage, past the guards, and into a hidden chamber behind the royal suites. He nodded when Dolph lifted his finger to his lips and motioned for him to follow them.
“Dolph, is that you?” their mom, Jenny, called out.
Dolph motioned for Juno to take Zohar into their bedroom.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Is Juno with you?” Jenny asked.
Zohar shot Dolph a sympathetic look before he squeezed through the doorway.
“Yeah, he’s with me. We’re just going to hang out in our room.”
Jenny walked down the hallway. “Your dad was wondering if you two wanted to go to the cove this weekend. We could stay a couple of days if you’d like. I know you’ve both been bored. Or… maybe I can talk him into us all visiting Drago and Carly. Little Carly would love that.”
“Ah, that sounds great! I think going to see Uncle Drago and Aunt Carly would be fun… this weekend,” he said, walking backwards towards the bedroom door.
“Okay, I’ll let your dad know. Is everything alright?” Jenny asked.
“Yeah. Everything’s great. Why wouldn’t it be?”
Zohar snorted. Dolph wasn’t very good at being inconspicuous.
