“You know,” I say, crossing my arms. “You and I used to be annoyingly inseparable too, little brother.”
A flicker of emotion passes his face, and I quickly look away.
“My point, exactly.” He takes the two steps between us and wraps me tightly in his arms again, and I can’t help the memory of him lifeless on the floor. I push away, and he frowns.
“I don’t think I can do this.”
“You can,” he says. “You will. Now go before I exile you.”
Rolling my eyes, I turn to Elora.
“Scandavi is only a few weeks away.” She takes my hand. “The seas have calmed, there will be many opportunities to visit.” She smiles, placing her fingers under my chin. “I'll see you when I see you?”
“See you when we see you.” My stomach drops as I leave the room, closing the door behind me on not just my brother but an entire life. But something different presses into my mind.
Not something, butsomeone.
Outside, I squint against the bright sunlight, a rarity for this late in the rainy season, until I find Jarek on the docks. He and Cora’s crew have been prepping the ships for days. Cupping my hands around my mouth, I shout across the docks. “Hey sailor!”
“I'm not a sailor—” He stops when he turns and sees me. “Sam?” Putting a crate down, he meets me halfway. “What are you doing out here?”
“Was wondering if you had room aboard for one more?”
Jarek’s eyes light up, his mouth dropping open.
“Though, I suppose I should ask the real person in charge.” I peek around him. “Where’s Cora?”
He scoops me up, making me squeal. “You’re coming?”
I lace my arms around the back of his neck.
“Are you sure? There will be time later, if you’re not ready.”
I press our foreheads together, savoring the scent of the salty sea mixed with pine. There’s no one in the world that knows me better than Jarek, and when I told him I had to stay, he was willing to let me because he knew it’s what I needed at the time.
I tangle my fingers in his long hair. He would have let me stay because he loves me that much. Enough to let me go. But also enough to let me choose.
And he is all the choices I’ve ever made manifested into one perfect person. “Yes, I’m coming,” I say. “I go where my heart goes.”
The ship groansand sways as we pull into a small port several weeks later. I rub the sleep from my eyes, drinking in the misty covered cottages and jagged mountain landscape before me.
“Scandavi,” Jarek whispers, wrapping his arms around my middle. I recline my head, letting it rest against his chest. “We’re home, Sam.”
I bite my bottom lip, something stirring in my gut.
“You two—” Jarek and I turn to Cora, her blonde hair done in several small braids, her blue eyes as piercing as Jarek’s–“Save the lovey shite for later. Jarek, help us toss the lines.”
Jarek kisses my cheek then quickly gets to work.
My gaze drifts back to the sleepy seaside village before me and the smile tugging at my lips spreads.
Home.
Thomas takes Jareks place next to me, a few other Loxlian’s behind us as well. Together we behold our new surroundings. The stone chimneys and the vibrant green grass. My chest tightens, glancing at the mossy roofs and small puffs of gray. So reminiscent of Loxley that I have to pinch myself to keep from daydreaming.
“Our new home,” I say to Thomas. His hand finds mine and he lets out a long, strenuous breath.
Once off the ship, my legs wobble as Jarek guides me through rocky sand and up to a small, stone house.
