Page 136 of Ship of Shadows
Lochlan let out a frustrated sigh. “I know how it sounds.”
“That’s the sky court,” Bastian said, and all our heads whipped in his direction. He cleared his throat. “I’ve seen that very magic bean you speak of. It was one that I sold to someone from the sky court. It was created in Sorrengard.”
“Perfect,” my mother muttered.
“Who did you sell it to?” I asked.
“That I don’t know. The deal was done through third parties. But I’m sure of the bean’s location. It’s the sky court. It’s in Valoris.”
We all turned wide gazes on Lochlan, who stared at Bastian, a new determination settling in my brother’s eyes.
The isles of Valoris sat at the top of tall mountains that were almost impossible to scale, making it hard for other elementals to visit the sky court. I’d made the harrowing journey with my father once and didn’t care to repeat it. Going that high up had made my stomach turn, my head spin.
“That’s it.” Lochlan snapped his fingers. “She’s in the sky court. She must be, and I have to go to her. Immediately.”
“Lochlan, wait!” I held out my hand. “You can’t just leave. We need to help you, get your shadow back and then go find this girl.”
If she was even real. But I didn’t say that part out loud.
Bastian cleared his throat and put a hand on my arm. “Your brother clearly needs to do this. Just like you needed to seek me out against everyone’s advice. No one thought you could save a pirate, not even me, but you proved us all wrong.” He gazed at me, and my heart stuttered. “You saved me, love. Now your brother needs to save himself. Let him.”
I tore my gaze from Bastian to look at Lochlan. Tears welled in my eyes at the thought of saying goodbye after we’d just been reunited.
“Do what you need to do,” I said quietly.
Mal nodded. “We’ll be here when you return.”
My mother looked around at us like we were crazy. “Did the shadow court steal your brains along with your shadows?”
Lochlan smirked. “Does it really surprise you, Mother? We’ve always been as wild as the sea.”
Mal and I grinned at him, a laugh escaping me.
“So you’re just going to head off on some dangerous journey alone?” My mother’s voice wobbled.
“He won’t be alone.” Driscoll stood.
I nearly fell out of my chair at that.
“What?” Driscoll flicked a piece of lint off his shirt. “No offense, but the pirate life isn’t for me. I’m still trying to figure out my place in this world, so might as well join another adventure. One where I’ll probably almost die a million times, and maybe then, when death is staring at me right in the face, I’ll figure out what I’m meant to do. Then I’ll save the day, just like I did in Sorrengard.” He looked around the circle and wrinkled his nose. “You all are welcome for that, by the way.”
“You’re an idiot,” Leoni said, then stood. “I’ll go with him too.” She looked down at me. “You don’t need me anymore, but he might. I know what I’m meant to do, and I need to keep doing it. I need to guard, to protect.”
“Uh.” Lochlan scratched his head. “I was kind of hoping to do this alone...”
“Once their minds are made up, you won’t change them,” I said.
“Lucky you,” Bastian muttered, and I elbowed him.
“Well, I guess this meeting is adjourned,” my mother said with a shaky voice. “I think all three of you have lost your minds.” She looked from me to Mal to Lochlan.
We smiled at each other.
“I think we’re finally becoming who we’re meant to be,” I said. “A king, a pirate, and...” I looked at Lochlan. “A hero, maybe? We’ll find out.”
Everyone, save for my mother, nodded in agreement, all of us smiling like fools despite the circumstances.
Bastian leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “I’m proud of you, love,” he whispered.
