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Kymri’s cheeks flamed, “I know this. This journey of his was all about connecting with his mother because he loved her so much. He wouldn’t destroy something so important to her.”
Kolina snorted, “When did you become so sentimental?” When Kymri didn’t answer, she said “I’ll meet with you in an hour, prepare yourselves to leave.” Her expression softened, “Marli arrived here with Odson; she’s waiting to see you.”
Kymri watched her walk away.
Was she being sentimental?
She felt deep inside herself that she was right about Jori. But her mother’s words tugged at the dutiful warrior in her.
It was her life’s duty to protect her queen and her people. She didn’t have room for sentimentality.
She couldn’t allow herself to be blinded. There was too much at risk.
And Marli was back. Her heart lightened as she rushed back toward the residential section of the compound.
Jori’s mind was a whirlwind of thought as he made his way back to his prison to retrieve what little he had with him. Odson walked beside him, just as silent.
When they reached the prison, Odson grunted. “Not a bad prison, if I recall. I’ve been in worse since.” He mumbled.
They waited for Kymri and another woman called Marli in the open courtyard, who both appeared in jeans, shirts, and solid boots, carrying backpacks. He wondered how many illegal weapons they had hidden.
Kymri didn’t speak to him. She seemed more distant.
She had orders to kill him if he even thought about exposing them.
His chest tightened. Had he lost her trust? He couldn’t blame her—any of them.
He had to make it right.
He clung to that thought above all else. Above everything he’d just learned about his mother, these people and himself. It was a surreal.
He had to make things right with Kymri—for Kymri. If he didn’t, she was in danger. He couldn’t bear the thought of being responsible for putting her in danger, or anyone else on the island. No one spoke to each other as they waited for Kolina.
Jori watched Kymri across the distance between them. She stood, back straight, her expression set. He wanted to pull her into his arms and make her melt into him again. He missed that. He missed the feel of her in his arms, liquid against him. He wanted that again. They’d had paradise for a short while.
“You’ll sail out to meet with the Coast Guard waiting outside the barrier. Odson, you have transportation to get yourselves to Black River?”
At his nod, she continued, “As soon as you have the information you need, get back here as fast as possible,” she said to Kymri and Marli. “Odson, the queen thanks you for your help. Jori Mountainside—” she said his name, but nothing else seemed to come from her open lips as she looked into his face, studying him, several emotions flitting across her features. She closed her mouth, left it at that. She then turned to her daughter and squeezed her hand, which elicited a look of surprise from Kymri, before she turned and left.
Marli led the way back along the path twisting down toward the harbor and the waiting ship.
Once aboard the sailing vessel, which was essentially a tall ship, Jori heard Marli speaking softly to Kymri, “I don’t like leaving them like this. They need the guard at full capacity.”
“I don’t either. We should be helping to prepare the defenses against more attacks.”
“If they come back with more than three…”
“I know.”
In open waters, they met with the Coast Guard, where they changed ships. As soon as they were underway toward the coast, Jori asked a crew member about equipment to make a broadcast. He was offered a cell phone and the use of the computer in the mess hall. The engines were still gearing up as he made his short video reporting a freak storm, crash landing on an island and being rescued by a beautiful island girl, then followed the crew member to upload it to his Vlog. Hopefully this would help deter folks. Humans at least. He couldn’t do anything about the male dragons now, it was too late for that. Maybe the rest of the world would remain oblivious.
Returning to join the others on deck, he found them talking to another man in civilian clothing, with hunched shoulders. Now he was sure he was delusional.
“Dad?”
Naked emotion flittered across the older man’s haggard features as Jori walked toward them. His father pulled him into his embrace, making him feel ten years old again. Swallowing hard, he hugged his father back. After a long moment, Jonathan Mountainside released his son.
“Dad, what are you doing here?”
