Page 67 of Queen of Wrath

My legs were asleep from the long ride over here, and I stumbled down the walkway as I passed the ferry driver.

“I'm surprised to find one of you here,” he scoffed.

I turned and gave him a strange look. “What do you mean?”

“You know? One of the ultra-rich,” he explained, looking at me with eyes almost completely covered by his bushy white eyebrows. His brush-like mustache completely covered his mouth, too, which made seeing his lips move as he spoke all but impossible. “I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that I don't think I've ever seen someone like you on a lowly flying ferry before, let alone take it to a destination like this one.”

I could tell he wasn't trying to be rude. He was genuinely confused, and perhaps even a little worried.

A gentle smile pulled at the corners of my mouth. “In a lot of ways, this place is more like home than anywhere else. You don't have to worry about me.”

“Is that so? I have to admit, that's refreshing to hear. You seem different…you know—from them.” He motioned his eyes out of the front of the windshield as if the city of Theskin was right there.

I couldn't help but laugh. “I should hope so.”

“You have a good day, Miss.” He tipped his blue hat to me, and I bowed my head in kind.

I stepped outside and watched as the ferry flew back into the clouds, disappearing from view in mere seconds.

It felt like a candle had been lit inside my chest.

What a kind man.

I looked over my shoulder, remembering where I was, and let out a relieved sigh. I had been dying to come back here ever since getting out of prison, but it’d never been the right time—not to mention risky as hell.

I'm sure I’ll still get in trouble for being here, but I’d rather ask for forgiveness than acceptance.

I turned on the ball of my foot and made my way toward the small village of Dask. My home. I felt awash with life.

The village had grown so much since I had last been here.

The small huts had become small buildings. Nothing fancy or luxurious like everything in Theskin, simply neat and functional.

I knew these renovations to the village had been made possible by mysterious donations they’d been receiving since Emma Mirth started working for Jax Ransom. I was happy to see them making good use of it.

Even if Lea Nadir was dead and gone, she still wanted to leave a legacy her family would have been proud of.

As I walked down the main street, I saw that it was still a dirt path, but with gravel laid into it. At least the carriages wouldn’t get stuck in the mud during the rainy seasons anymore.

The villagers looked at me strangely—the same way the bus driver had.

I miss the days I walked down this path and felt like I belonged. In a way, I got what I was striving so badly for back then, to become a Potionist living in Theskin… But now?

Now I would do anything to get back what I had back then.

Unwelcomed in my own home village, I proceeded to the cemetery just beyond it.

The closer I drew, the more I became anxious.

My heart was uneasy in my chest, and a prickle of anxiety climbed up my spine. It had been so long…

For some reason, even though I knew they’d been dead for a long time, I still felt caught off guard by the sight of their graves.

The marshy, hallowed ground consumed my feet as I slowly approached my family's graves.

I knelt in front of the four headstones, running my hand over my mother’s name. “Hi, guys. I’m sorry it’s been so long. I’ve been busy… I’m glad I can visit you now, even if it’s only for a little while.”

“Lea?”

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