Page 13 of Homecoming

Serin smiled. “There. Now you match, and no healer on the island will be able to close the wound without a nasty scar. Since you two are so incapable of seeing your wrongs, they are now visible on your faces.”

Sara sobbed, “You can’t do this to me! To us!”

Serin snorted and turned to walk away.

Ulo shouted, “Why are you doing this to us?”

Aeryn calmly answered where the entire gathered population could hear her. “Because despite the fact that you cheated, despite you forcing a pregnancy, and despite your betrayal causing the loss of the baby, her family, and her home, you haven’t once apologized for destroying her life and stealing the funds in her trust.”

There was a collective gasp as Serin slowly made her way down the pathway to the village. Her smile was slow as she felt the comforting presence of Aeryn at her back.

“How did they take it?”

“The locals were surrounding them, and questions were being thrown. They are going to have an interesting night.”

“Good.”

Serin felt another knot in her soul unravelling. It felt good being home, but change was difficult. The mean part of her was happy that the difficulty was being shared.

Aeryn asked, “Did you want me to get you up before I leave?”

“If you like. Are you ready to have a fun day? I hear the floating island is amazing.”

“What is it?”

“It is something that occurs once in a lifetime.” Serin smiled and looked at her friend. “It is a reminder that not everything in life needs to be explained.”

“Right. See the wonder; don’t hit it with the jet ski.”

Serin smiled. “That’s the spirit.”

They laughed, the unpleasantness of the last hour fading fast.

The Dark Well was just the place to spend the rest of their evening. Morning would be there soon enough.

Chapter Three

Aeryn got Serin a cup of coffee and set it next to her bed. She grabbed her pack full of changes and made it out of the hotel with twenty minutes to spare.

She used her flashlight and made her way through the streets until she saw Skaay and flicked her light to him. He raised his arm and turned to head to the dock.

At four precisely, she said, “Permission to come aboard?”

Thera grinned. “Granted.”

She climbed up the ladder and let Thera guide her to bench seats along the back of the boat, where her accessories were carefully strapped out of the way. The jet ski was strapped to the back.

“How many clothing changes did you bring?”

“Six and a summer wetsuit.”

“That should be enough.”

Thera grinned. “This is going to be fun. I always wanted to do a photo shoot.”

“I am happy to be a part of it.” Aeryn grinned.

Kayak showed up with a picnic basket and a stack of coffees. Orc followed with more coffee.

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