Page 89 of Beacon

In response he simply squeezed my hand again. We made no motion to leave the water, simply stood together as we watched the ship sail closer…and closer. With the ocean calmed the ship made faster progress, and soon it was close enough for us to be able to see the faces of those on board, one of whom was…

The sob that escaped my lips was one of fierce relief. “Father.”

For a moment I could only take in his dear face, one that for so long I feared I’d never see again. The moment he spotted me, the shout of my name drifted across the water to reach me. Even before the ship docked, I yanked free of Owen and hurried to shore so that I could meet him.

Father was the first to disembark. He met me halfway and immediately seized me to hold me close, an embrace not nearly tight enough. The tears I’d kept bottled for so long finally escaped as I burrowed myself closer, basking in the feel of his arms around me.

He was alive. Despite all my fear, he’d returned to me.

For a long moment we remained in our embrace. I only pulled away enough to stare into his dear face. His eyes crinkled as he smiled even as his own tears streaked his cheeks.

“Marisa. My dear, dear girl.” He cradled my face to place the most tender kiss on my brow. “I’m so happy to see you. I’ve missed you, sweetheart, and am so sorry for any worry my absence caused you.”

“Father.”

Shock caused his lips to still on my brow before he yanked away to stare at me in astonishment…an emotion that quickly faded into the most loving, joyous smile. “You spoke.”

I started to nod…before pausing to speak instead. “Yes.”

A tear slid down his cheek, but it did nothing to lessen the happiness overcoming him. “You spoke.”

“Yes,” I said again.

“After all these years…oh, Marisa.” He embraced me once more, and I held him tightly back.

There was so much I wanted to say—especially the story of how I’d rediscovered my voice as well as the journey of falling in love I’d embarked on during his absence—just as there was much I wanted to hear from him in return, particularly how he’d survived the wreck of his boat and his time on the island that the magical map had shown us he’d been trapped on.

But the words could wait. Right now, his presence was enough.

Owen watched the reunion with the tenderest of smiles, still soaked from our adventure in the ocean. The wet hair plastered against his brow somehow made him all the more handsome and charming, a testament of his willingness to go anywhere with me.

Smiling, I turned to him and held out my hand, and he immediately stepped forward to fill it. Father’s brows rose but he continued to smile. “Who’s this, Starfish?”

My heart warmed that finally, after all these years, I could finally not only answer Father properly, but that it would lead to our first spoken conversation, one about the most ideal of topics.

“Prince Owen…my fiancé.”

His eyes widened in astonishment. “It appears much has happened while I was away. You not only found your voice but also love. I must hear the story.”

“I can’t wait to tell you.” And with my returned voice, that was a promise I’d not only be able to keep but would be one of many stories to come.

EPILOGUE

Istood on the shore enjoying the waves washing over my feet as I stared across the ocean. The water remained calm, a tranquility that set me at ease, so different to how the ocean used to make me feel. The waves’ soothing melody caressed my ears; the more I listened, the more I seemed to understand.

The moment shifted at the sound of Owen’s soft footsteps against the sand, which was soon followed by the feel of his warm embrace as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. I immediately melted against him. “Good morning, Owen.”

“Good morning, Marisa.” He brushed a kiss across my cheek before resting his chin against my head to join me watching as the rising sun cast its dancing golden light across the water. “You seem very concentrated.”

“I’m listening.” I closed my eyes to better hear each word the ocean whispered. “As close as we’ve become, there’s so much about the ocean I’m still discovering.”

He chuckled. “When we married, I never imagined I’d be competing with thewaterfor your attention.” But by his gentle smile, I knew he was teasing.

“Just as I compete with your royal duties.”

“There’s no competition; you know my favorite place is with you.” His fingers caressed my chin to turn my head to the perfect angle for him to lightly kiss me before pulling away to study my expression. “You’re looking a bit weary. Perhaps you should rest; we did stay up late.”

It had been one of many long nights. We’d spent the evening at the palace with Owen’s family only to stay up late helping Father tend the lighthouse now that Uncle had returned to his old home—or ratherOwenhad seen to most of the duties while Father and I had conversed, filling the air with our voices to make up for all the years of silence. But my husband hadn’t seemed to begrudge the task, which only deepened the love I already felt for him.

---