I gaze up to see two very handsome faces smiling as I wake.
‘Ready to board the ship?’ Magnus says.
I sit up with a newfound excitement shooting through me.
‘Yes!’ I say with much enthusiasm. I stand on the bed, pull Magnus and Alec in, and hug them. Then, I peck them both on the cheek, jump off the bed, and sit at the dresser to comb my hair and neaten myself before leaving.
Maia, Damon and Sir Hugo are already there as we approach the dock. Mne load the ship with crates of freshly gathered fruits and vegetables and mesh bags filled with flour, salt and rice.
‘We have loaded different seeds and seedlings to help you live off the Island. Oh, and I’ve had a few trunks of dresses, tunics and other bits and pieces placed on board for you,’ she beams.
‘Thank you, Queen Maia. Your kindness and hospitality had been more than we could ask for,’ I smile.
May, Kadva and the witches are on board and wave to us from the upper deck, and Reaper flies through the air and perches on the beam of the largest sail. The rest of our pack boards the ship along with the vampires. I’m relieved to see no one is afraid of the vampires and treats them the same as everyone else.
Barrels of wine and rum are rolled onboard the ship as we hug people goodbye.
‘Stand by, make sail,’ the captain hollers. We quickly board the ship as the men release the dock lines and raise the anchor. We stand on the upper deck near the middle mast and wave goodbye to everyone waving us off. The seamen break into song, singing ballads about rum and women or sailing the seas. Alec and Magnus take turns dancing with me along to the songs. My hair falls out from my braid as I dance. I laugh joyfully and happily as my hair blows strongly in the wind. Alec twirls me around and lifts me into the air. Kadva and Lilac join us and dance as the others clap along and tap their feet. Two hours of sailing go by quickly.
‘Land Ho! Anchor Aweigh,’ The captain shouts.
We all stop dancing and look out from the ship’s edge. The Island is vast. Big enough for a few villages and fields. Alec and Magnus both hold my hand. They gently squeeze my hand and look down at me with endearing gazes.
‘We’re home,’ they both say in unison.
I squeeze their hands back and smile between them as my eyes glisten from tears of joy.
The crew load the small boats with the trunks and crates filled with goods and begin rowing them to shore. The captain escorts us to a small boat with no items on board. We step in, sit wherever we can, and make room for May, Kadva and others. The crew on board lower our boat into the water with ropes, and two other men row us to shore. More boats with our pack members are lowered onto the water and rowed to shore. Unable to help ourselves, all the witches and me give each other look and nod, ‘Skedaddle Dash,’ we all say and immediately blink, ending up on the sandy banks of the Island. We turn and wave to Magnus, Alec and Kadva, who don’t look impressed with us as they are still rowing to shore. We chase each other through the sandy beach, kicking sand with our feet and rolling around, making sand angels. We see Alec, Magnus and Kadva are now on shore and stand there in line with arms crossed and smirks on their faces, watching us. Reaper flies around in large circles, scoping out the Island.
Alec holds his hand out. I approach and take his hand.
‘Let’s find somewhere to summon our castle,’ he hums. We spend an hour walking through trees until we find an area of mostly flat land. On the outskirts to the North is a huge cliff with a waterfall. The water flows along a river in a curved line that leads to a lake.
‘We could place it in front of the river by the waterfall. This way, we will always have fresh water and a lake to swim in.’
Alec and Magnus nod in agreement.
‘This is going to take all my energy to summon. I will need to rest afterwards,’ Alec cautions.
Magnus and I nod.
Alec closes his eyes and holds his hands out as dark matter begins to sphere in the palm of his hands. The ground shakes and trembles with ferocity. Magnus grabs hold of me, breaking my fall. The ground breaks open, and a dark, gothic but beautiful castle slowly rises from the ground.
Four corner towers appear a distance away from the castle. They link with large stone curtain walls, creating a wall of protection around the castle. The castle is complete with sleeping quarters, a great hall, a kitchen, stables, a storage cellar, a crypt, a library and more. A large pebble stone courtyard appears outside the grand stairs of the castle. Workshops for blacksmithing, candle making, baking, tailoring and more appear along the courtyard’s edges. A garden so large appears with a pond and seats of stone. Statues adorn the garden full of roses, violets and tulips. Trees made from crystals of gemstones in shades of purple, pink and green appear. They are just like the trees from Silverfay Forest. Green hedges form together, making an intricate maze. The beautiful garden has dazzled me, and Alec knows it.
Another large curtained wall forms outside the first set, with flanking towers and battlements. There is a drawbridge connecting two watch towers. The battlement between the two towers is covered. All archways are pointed. Gargoyles sit upon walls and vaulted roofs. The large windows are stained glass depicting stories of events. I’m unsure whether the images are based on true events or fiction, but they are fascinating all the same. The detail on the flying buttresses adds to the grandness of the castle. Although the castle is and has an eeriness to it, at the same time, it’s hauntingly beautiful. The dark swirls upon Alec’s palm dissipate, and he falls backwards, weak from using all his power.
Even though I hold his arm, I’m not physically strong enough to hold his weight. Suddenly he doesn’t seem so heavy. I look up to see Magnus has gripped his other arm.
‘Let me help bring him inside the castle,’ he says.
Relieved, I smile at Magnus and nod. Although Magnus and Alec have had a physical altercation over me. They have also bonded, treating each other as brothers and equals. I’m glad they have become respectful and mutual toward each other. I’m proud they put their differences aside back in the human world and worked together to save me. They know how much I love them and how I would die for either of them if it ever came down to it. I shake my head at the thought. I’m about to drape Alec’s arm over my shoulder, but one of the vampires comes forth and insists he help. I lead them into the castle and walk up many stairs.
We find a dark chamber with an open coffin.
‘Inferno Flamo,’ I say, waving my wand at the candles. The room is now dimly lit up with small flickering flames. The coffin is black with carvings and details in silver.
‘This is where King Alec would rest when needing to regain his power,’ the vampire says.
‘What’s your name?’ I ask him.
‘Darcy, my Queen,’ he says, bowing his head.
‘Nina,’ Alec says. I gaze up at him and see the sweat across his forehead. I gently wipe it away and remember he will need my blood.
‘Darcy, is there a chamber with a bed rather than a coffin?’ I ask.
‘Of course,’ he bows. He helps Magnus to carry him down two doors.
We enter a large chamber with a bed covered in silk and lush pillows.
‘Please, place him on the bed,’ I tell them.
We walk past the fireplace and mahogany furnishings to the other side of the chamber where the bed is. Magnus and Darcy place him on the bed. I climb up and sit beside him.
‘Thank you, Darcy. Perhaps you could give Magnus and our pack a tour to help settle in?’
‘Of course, my Queen,’ he says and bows his head again.
Magnus follows him out, leaving me alone with Alec.
