Page 165 of Storm and Sea

“Y-yes, yes, of course,” Emelia agreed.

Edgar stirred but remained unable to stand on his own.

Atreus tried to catch Leo’s eye, to catch some glimpse that they would be okay. But his old friend refused to meet his gaze as he turned in the direction of the hospital.

Yet the relief, the shock, the absolute mayhem of emotions now seeping out of his pores had at last taken their toll. And if not for Nyel quickly ducking beneath his arm, he would have collapsed to the surf.

“Atreus, you’re bleeding!” Nyel cried out as some of Atreus’s blood dripped onto his shoulder.

It wasn’t a surprise. Atreus was certain adrenaline and fear had worked miracles as the waves tossed him over the rocks. There was no way he’d come out of it with just a few superficial cuts. But none of that mattered.

“A man I will proudly call my son.”

If he weren’t in shock, he’d have cried like a child.

Atreus was covered in gashes, and by the time they made it to the hospital, he cradled his left arm. Marina had never been inside the new hospital building and indulged herself by admiring the modern decor, sparkling floors, and pristine surfaces as a nurse escorted them into a private room. The cream-colored walls gave the space a warm, inviting feel, while the light blue furniture looked soft enough to sleep in. It was cozy compared to the white sterile buildings on the mainland.

Papà followed them inside, and once Atreus was settled on the bed, he rested a hand on his adopted son.

“Mayor Gianfranchi wants a word. I’m sure he will want to speak with you both as well. I’ll hold them off as long as I can.”

He squeezed Atreus’s shoulder meaningfully before leaving the private room. Marina chased after him.

“Papà, wait.” Marina buried her face into her father’s larger-than-life chest. “Grazie, Papà. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“Why do you thank me, Cucciola?”

“Because you didn’t make me choose between my father and my brother.”

Brother. Atreus was her brother. Some part of her knew that was the spot he occupied in her heart. Now, she could say it out loud. And she’d never stop saying it.

“Watch over him. I imagine he is shaken.”

“I will.” She kissed her father on his bristly cheek and returned to Atreus’s hospital room. He looked tired, but there was a lightness to him she’d never seen.

Like some terrible weight was gone.

A chain finally broken.

“Where does it hurt?” Nyel asked, occupying the chair on the side of the white bed.

“Um… everywhere?”

“You’re going to have to narrow it down for us,” a woman said, entering the room. “My name is Irena. I am the senior nurse in this hospital.”

She observed them each with a warm yet stern gaze. Her no-nonsense blonde bun was streaked with silver, but her hard eyes were betrayed by the tell-tale smile lines around her mouth.

“Which of you is the Mer?”

Marina beamed at the boys. “They are, of course.”

Irena inclined her head to Atreus and Nyel. “Welcome. We will do everything we can to help you.”

“Th-thanks,” Atreus stuttered and winced as he shifted on the mattress.

“The arm first, then.” She turned to Marina, “I’m sorry, but only family in the room while we work on him.”

“I’m his sister,” Marina said, lifting her chin proudly. She took Atreus’s good hand as though this settled the matter.