Page 158 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

Nola gave him a side smirk and closed her fist, clutching to the old piece of cloth.

“Tell the crew I said thank you, especially to Mazie. I want them to know how much I grew to love each and every one of them,” she said. “You are all my family, Lincoln.”

He nodded. “I love you, Nola. I will love you until I go down with my ship.”

Nola's eyes glistened, but she would not cry. She had to let him go.

Lincoln dropped one more kiss upon her forehead before stepping back and turning to the gates leading back to the harbor.

There was a moment of emptiness in the siren’s heart as she watched him walk away.

It is for the best,she thought. Isn't it? She questioned herself with every step Lincoln took.

A few minutes later, as Nola entered the Grand Royal Hall, she saw King Elijah sitting on his throne. Most of the crowd had dispersed after the ceremony. It was the first time she had seen him with a king’s crown upon his head.

The siren curtsied. “Your Highness,” she said. “You wanted to speak with me?”

“Elijah,” he said. “Call me Elijah, Nola. We are friends.”

He stood and gestured to the throne next to him. The one suited for his future queen. “Sit, please.”

She sat, adjusting her long dress to get comfortable.

“When do you leave?” the young king asked her.

“There’s a colony near the far eastern sea. The merfolk need help to rebuild. They were one of the first to fall after my birth mother died,” she explained, “And then I plan to return to Zemira to take care of my parents.”

Elijah flashed a beautiful smile. “I see,” he said.

Then he held his hand out until she placed hers in his palm. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “The people of Zemira will be taken care of, Nola. Ara has promised to help the siren folk rebuild, and Aiden is now the leader of the Fae.” He released her hand. “And your parents will never go hungry again.”

She raised a brow. “Thank you, Elijah, but—”

“You’re a fighter! You do not belong here, just as my brother does not.”

He is as persistent as Lincoln, she thought.

Elijah chuckled as if he had read her thoughts. “It was a compliment, Nola. You are better than this place. You know where you belong, and you know who you belong with.”

King Elijah stretched to his side and grabbed a black velvet sack. He reached inside, pulling out the Kroneon.

“Elijah—”

“It’s yours,” he said, handing her the weapon carefully.

She shook her head in disbelief. “I thought you destroyed it,” she said, then frowned. “You were supposed to destroy it.”

The corners of his charming eyes crinkled. He leaned back, watching Nola run her thumbs over the compass. “And miss the shock and horror on your face?”

Nola rolled her eyes.

“It is not mine to destroy,” the king said. “The compass belongs to the sirens. It is yours.” He paused, giving a throaty laugh. “Yours and theirs,” he added, his eyes looking out the window that faced the docks.

The hairs on her arms stood straight. She wanted nothing more than to sail the seas with the crew. She loved Lincoln with all her heart. But how could she abandon her people?

“You are overthinking this, Nola. Trust that Ara, Aiden, and I will keep the people safe—land, sky, and sea."

The siren lifted the bandana Lincoln gave her to wipe the tears rolling down her face. Then, when she looked closely, she saw the embroidered design on the side. She unfolded it, laying the cloth flat on her lap. A white pirate skull stared back at her, and under it was stitched lettering.

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