Page 5 of King Elijah (The Zemiran Chronicles 2)

Boots walked hand in hand with Kitten and they stepped off the Sybil Curse’s ladder, turning around one last time while standing on the gangplank. They both wiped away the tears falling down their cheeks, waved goodbye, and walked together toward their new beginning in the city.

Lincoln watched his longtime friends for a moment, then his beautiful green eyes gleamed as he turned to look into Nola’s.

It had been strange between them the last two weeks. Well, it was strange for all of them. Nola and the crew had sailed, eaten, and laughed together for two years, facing the dangers of the waters and the other worlds again and again, but they had almost died in the Shadow Land. Every single one of them came within inches of violent death. The creature who chased them out of their land had nearly latched on to Kitten, knocking her to the ground as the portal opened and causing her to land hard on her belly. She had realized she was pregnant by then, and her every thought was about her unborn child’s life. It was too close.

After they escaped and closed the portal, Lincoln locked the Kroneon up so no one could ever touch it again. Kitten and Boots decided it was best to leave the pirate life, at least on the ship, for the safety of their family.

Three days after they closed that portal, Boots had knelt in front of Kitten. His hushed proposal was made clear when he held up the very ring the crew had stolen from Queen Aliyana, fierce ruler of the Land of the Banshees. The wedding, though, wasn’t what they expected.

Hill staggered over and straightened up his suit.

It is strange, Nola thought, seeing him dressed up with his hair nicely styled and slicked back over his head.

Hill’s leg had been injured on their journey, and though he wouldn’t match Boots with a peg leg, it was enough for him to leave too.

A wedding and four fewer crew members to follow.

Nola recounted the decision that had been made a week prior.

“I’ll take care of him, Lincoln,” Ardley had promised after they had escaped the Shadow Land, helping Hill to sit on the nearest chest. “Hill has had it rough, and I think it’s time we hang up our pirate swords.”

The tipsy pirate raised his sobered, pain-filled eyes to his captain and offered a weak smile. “Aye, Cap’n. I am no longer of use to ye; I am broken beyon’ repair,” Hill had said with sadness choking his voice.

Lincoln took a breath, then walked to Hill and placed his hand on his shoulder.

“Hill, you are an unbreakable force that I am honored to have had on my ship. You cannot be replaced, mate. You will heal and you will walk tall once again.” Lincoln smiled and turned to Ardley.

“Hearty?”

“Aye, Captain Lincoln?” Ardley replied.

“You have my blessing to depart from Sybil Curse and take care of our dear Mr. Hill for as long as it takes.” Lincoln winked and clapped a hand on Ardley’s shoulder.

Ardley swallowed the tears welling up and clasped Lincoln’s arm.

“Aye, Captain. Thank you.” He sniffled quietly.

Nola’s thoughts drew back to the present. The conversation about Kitten and Boots leaving wasn’t a surprise to her, but Hill and Ardley staying behind as well—she hadn’t expected that.

Lincoln turned to Nola and placed his hand on her cheek, caressing his thumb along the softness of her tanned skin. “We need to head further east as soon as we can. Zemiran waters are freezing this time of year. We won’t make it past the reef before hitting the ice.”

She gave him a curt nod. “I agree.”

Ardley helped Hill to a chair and gave him a mug of water. He turned to his mates, smiled, and said, “Now that the stuffy formalities are over, let us celebrate like the pirate bastards we are!”

A cheer rose as Ardley played a tune on his psaltery and the crew sang shanties until the moon shone brightly overhead, bathing the sea in a silver hue.

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