Page 154 of The Sea Witch's Son

My stepfather opens his arms and I step into the embrace.

“I should have come to you sooner.”

He sighs, pulling me close, “We could spend a month talking about the things we should and shouldn’t have done. There’s no point in focusing on the past.”

“Just look towards the road ahead.” I close my eyes, breathing in his familiar scent, “Quoting her lyrics again. Mom would be proud.”

“She’s always been proud. Especially of you.”

The tears return, but I don’t fight them. I let the grief and pain wash free from my soul, soaking my skin with memories and regret that one day I’ll learn to carry.

My stepfather holds me, offering a shoulder to carry some of the burden and I take it. He lets me cry about things he knows all too well and things he will never know. He just takes the weight and carries it, offering me the support I refused to accept when we first got to Wolf Hollow.

Sucking down a shuddering breath, I do my best to pull myself together. There will be lots of days like this, days when I am unable to stomach the pain of my broken parts, but those are the days when I will have to be strong enough to ask for help.

When I will have to let someone else be strong for me.

“Hey, Erik?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks for being my dad.”

He goes perfectly still.

I glance up and find tired eyes glistening with unshed tears. Erik stares at me, his expression so full of love and gratitude that I wish I had called him that sooner.

“Please don’t cry.” My lips tremble on their own accord, “You look so handsome and put together.”

He sniffs, making a valiant effort to remain composed, “I just wasn’t expecting to hear that today.”

“I have the worst timing.”

“No.” He clears his throat, “This was the perfect time.”

I give him one last squeeze before pulling away.

“Are you ready?” Smoothing the lapels of his suit, I make sure there isn’t a wrinkle in sight, “Tonight’s the big night.”

“I’m ready.” Erik blows out a breath, “It’s about time you stepped back and let me have a turn.”

“Just be careful.”

He gives me a knowing smile, “And don’t trust anyone.”

Tendrils of guilt snake through my stomach, replacing the grief with something much stronger.

Don’t trust anyone.

Chapter 58

MARLIN

I’ve never liked this dock.

The waves shift the boards beneath my feet, the night sky turning the ocean into a bottomless pit of ink. A cold breeze nips at my skin, stinging my eyes as I stare at the horizon that hasn’t changed since my father sailed away.

If only we could all be so lucky.

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