Page 78 of The Lost Child

“Let’s go now,” I offered, wanting to give Canavar a task to occupy his mind. “Before anyone else can claim the island.”

Canavar didn’t wait for anyone else to agree. He simply scooped me up in his arms and took off, getting a running start before leaping into the mountains. I held on tight around his neck, grinning like a lunatic despite myself. It was incredible to be flying over the ocean!

I laughed at how literal he was. Alkdama was shaking her head at us from down on the ground, hands on her hips. Her coven would need to pack and find a boat to travel to the island.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” I yelled over the wind.

He didn’t answer, but that could have been on purpose. He tended not to mince words, this strong, silent draken of mine.

Because hewasmine. And as soon as we could find a moment alone, I’d let him wreck me again and over again. A smile curled at the edge of my mouth just imagining it. We could go down to the tide pools, where I'd been punished for swimming naked over and over as a child. How fitting would it be for Canavar to bend me over on the rocks, and—

“Sea witches.”

My naughty daydream was popped by Canavar’s growl. I twisted my head to look down as we approached the island, only to see it swarmed by sea witches.

“They’re friendly, though.” I reasoned. “Let’s see what’s going on.”

Canavar made an annoyed sound, but descended. I wonder if he’d ever fully trust anyone that wasn’t me. Hopefully Kaida, in time, and her mate. Canavar needed another male draken in his life to lean on. I couldn’t help him recover by myself.

I shook my head, focusing down below. Canavar roughly landed in the shallows, and I scanned the beach. All around us sea witches were dragging dead bodies into the ocean, soldiers and pirates alike. Each body was weighed down with stones and seaweed.

“Ah. You’re back.”

A blonde sea witch (though they were all blonde, to be honest) approached Canavar with familiarity, though he scowled at her like he did everyone else.

“We found another draken pair, and along with the blood witches plan to make this island a safe haven,” I explained. “Unless you had any plans for it?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. And a better use of the land. Let us know when you start casting blood wards. It was always fun to watch the drakens work their magicks.”

I nodded, having no other response.

“Do you … uh, need any help?” I asked rather lamely. The sea witches clearly seemed to have everything in hand. Fifty or so of them worked together to bring the bodies out and lining them up on the shore, while a second group wrapped them up and weighed them down. The third group dragged them out into the ocean, and their ultimate watery graves.

The sea witch lifted one eyebrow sarcastically at me. Before I could blush and stammer, she held out a hand. “I am Meruse. My sister is somewhere inland, organizing. She’s good at that.”

Her hand was cool and smooth, her fingers decorated with pearl and gold rings.

“Nerissa,” I offered back. “And I think you’ve already met Canavar.” I glanced over my shoulder to find him glowering at us.

Meruse laughed. “Yes. He is adorable, in a ‘I will burn the world for you’ type of way. You said you wish to reclaim the island?”

I pushed down my nervousness. Hopefully the request didn’t offend them.

“Yes,” I confirmed. “And reclaim it for the blood witches and the drakens.” I wasn’t sure how much Meruse knew of the Alkdama’s troubles. Surely the coven leaders spoke to each other,

Meruse nodded, her blonde dreadlocks swinging up and done. “That is well. We will push a localized tsunami to break away the remaining ships, and wash them out to see. Then you may begin. Wait on the northern tip if you must be here. Should be a good show.”

A small wave of sadness hit me at the thought of my childhood home crashing into the sea, but I knew it was for the best. My father’s office would be swept away, as well as his belts and the desk he used to force me to bend over.

And Macguire.

It was for the best.

I took a deep breath of the ocean air, free and clear as I sank into the sand beneath my boots. A new beginning was exactly what all of us needed: me, Canavar, the drakens, and the blood witches.

“Thank you for your help.”

Meruse grinned and dove back into the ocean.

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