I don’t have to ask her what she means. I already know. I always know. Because I knowher.
Chapter 57
Reign
Dinner is exactly the reset I need. Just the smell of all the delicious food has me perking up. I take a seat between Danielle and Amaya who are both admiring the colorful carnation centerpieces lining the middle of the table.
While they’re lost in the details of the dinner table, I’m lost in the view. The rooftop we’re on is the perfect spot to silently appreciate the way the sunset is making the sky look like it’s on fire. There’s something almost magical about the sun setting on the open sea. It’s a view I’m sure I would never grow tired of.
“I think we’ve had enough sappy speeches for one day,” Zaro says with a laugh. “I say we just dig in!”
“I second that,” Anthony motions from beside him.
Each of us make quick work filling our plates. I start with the stuffed flounder before making my way to the shrimp cocktail and lobster mac and cheese. Amaya and I go back and forth, telling each other to try this and that. After growing up in The House of Waif and being fed slop while in the dungeons, I will never take a good meal for granted again.
Between the chaotic conversations around the table and multiple helpings of delectable seafood, dinner goes by too fast. I seem to be very aware that our time in the Infinite Sea Territories is limited and I want to savor every bit of it. Something about these people and the way we all meld together is just effortless. I’ve never had extended family, but I would imagine this is what it feels like.
After dessert everyone begins to break off into separate groups around the rooftop. I’m just about to get up and stretch my legs when Danielle shifts in her seat to turn to me.
“There’s something I wanted to say to you,” she says in her angelic voice that somehow sounds like a beautiful melody when she speaks.
“Okay…” I suddenly feel ill thinking about what she might say. I’m sure Damien told her about the Ryder situation last night and right now that’s the last thing I want to talk about.
“Look, I know you love my brother. But I know you also have feelings for Ryder and let’s be honest…” Her eyes dart to where he’s standing, lost in conversation with Zaro and Anthony. “I don’t blame you there.” She winks, and it relaxes me just a little. “I just want to tell you that it’s okay to be selfish. Sometimes that’s what you have to do. If your heart is being pulled in Ryder’s direction, I want you to know that Damien will be okay. It will hurt like hell, don’t get me wrong, but I will make sure he’s okay.”
“I never want to hurt him.”
She takes my hand in hers. “I know, but we don’t get to choose who we love. And I’m not saying you have to make up your mind right now, but I wanted you to know that I’ll be here to pick up the pieces if it goes that way. Besides, you’ve found your way back to each other once, it could happen again. But it’s your path to take.” A single tear falls from my eye, and she quickly wipes it away. “No need for tears.”
“You’re pretty amazing, you know that?”
“I do,” she says, flipping her hair and we both laugh. “Now, let’s go check out this awesome view!”
By now, the stars have started to take over the sky. It’s a full moon tonight which feels very appropriate after the tattooing ritual today. It’s almost like it’s a sign from the universe.
“Alright, everyone!” Nio chimes from across the rooftop. “It’s time to move this party to the beach!”
The others refuse to tell us what the festivities of tonight are as we gather around, but Zaro insists it will be worth the wait.
And he was right.
When we reappear on the same beach as the Seacap, it looks familiar and yet completely different. The crashing waves that were once white against the dark shore are now illuminated an electric blue color.
“What is this?” Amaya asks with her jaw practically on the ground.
“We call it Nightling. It only occurs during this time of year for about a week.”
As wolves sprint across the shore, illuminated footprints trail behind them. They only last a few seconds before fading back to the original charcoal sand. The longer I look, I start to notice there’s a sparkle to the luminous waves. Almost as if the stars have fallen into the sea.
“This makes me realize how little our lives were back in Avelion,” Amaya whispers next to me.
“Sometimes it feels like it’s all a dream.” She pinches my arm. “Ow!”
“Not a dream,” she shrugs with a devilish grin.
A few minutes later, the beach is filled with guests still wearing their gold attire. Typically, I would be freezing in a dress by the shore, but they must’ve had witches cast some kind of temperature spell and I’m thankful for it. It almost feels like a summer night.
“Thank you all for joining us this evening,” Zaro’s voice amplifies across the beach. “Tonight’s festivities will begin with the Silent Dance and end with the Soul Cleansing Ceremony.”
