Fortunately, while she could parse the memories apart, nothing was confusing or painful. It didn’t feel as though she was competing with someone else for headspace. Yargen had been blessedly correct in that respect. And, as far as she could tell, the people she loved were none the wiser that her consciousness had undergone a transformation.
Vi turned her attention back to Risen.
The world spun, seasons changed, and people changed, but the one constant remained: love—the love of friends and family, the love that bound people together through the ages.
That was the love she now sought.
“You should go below and get ready, Vi,” Elecia said thoughtfully. “We’ll be dropping anchor before you know it.”
“You’re right. Excuse me.”
Her cabin was one of the largest on the vessel. It was positioned in the back, with grand windows overlooking the sea. In many ways, it reminded her of Adela’s cabin. Vi smiled to herself every time she entered, wondering what the pirate queen would think if she knew she’d inspired the flagship of Admiral Crown Princess Vi Solaris’s budding armada.
The clothing she’d requested was neatly laid out: a fitted pair of leggings with a white split tunic that bore the Solaris crest. A wide belt attached a ceremonial sword to her hip. Everything was carefully embroidered in gold thread, reminiscent of a coat she knew so well she could draw it from memory.
On top of the tunic was a simple envelope. Vi lifted it, flipping it over. She’d said goodbye to her family when she left—that had been the hardest part, especially after getting to live nearly three years with them in Solarin while all the logistics for her voyage were being worked out.
The Senate was still adamant that it was too risky to have both heirs running all over the world and putting themselves in harm’s way. But Vi got the impression Romulin would be all right staying in Solarin and working with Andru, the son of the head of Senate, and Minister Fritz.
Before she left, Vi had tasked them with brainstorming and ironing out some details for her next big idea. It was still in its infancy, but in a few years’ time, if all went according to plan, Solaris and the Kingdoms of Meru would be reunited. And that called for a celebration to shake the ages.
Vi would oversee the diplomatic elements of treaties and alliances. Romulin, Andru, and Fritz would run with her wild ideas of lavish parties, friendly sorcerer competitions, and other ways to share knowledge and culture. She couldn’t wait to see what would ultimately come to pass.
Her parents didn’t come on the voyage because they refused to be separated. Not because they couldn’t be; they simply didn’t want to be. Vi didn’t argue with that reasoning. She knew better than most what they’d gone through to be together now.
On the back of the envelope was a golden seal bearing the sun. She slid her finger underneath to break it, then slid out the letter and sat on the bed to read it.
Our dearest daughter,
We asked Elecia to give you this on your arrival to the Crescent Continent for one final reminder of home before you step off onto a new land for the first time.
Vi cracked a smile at the first line. It would be her first time… in this body.
We will of course remind you that these negotiations could open trade that would change our Empire and the lives of our people for the better. But we know you already understand this. After all, you were the one who somehow managed to open discussions with a closed off land that we, and our forefathers, had long since written off.
You will conduct yourself with grace and poise, of that we’re certain. You’ve grown into a young woman wise beyond her years. We are so proud, and have every faith in you.
But the most important thing we wished to remind you of is that this is an opportunity for a grand adventure. This is the start ofyourjourney. This is the moment you begin to write your story.
Go and explore. Seek adventure. Seek the world we have always seen you dreaming of.
When you are ready to return, your throne will be here waiting. We, and your brother, will be here waiting with all our love. But don’t worry for us. We’ll be fine.
For the first time, she could believe it. Solaris had a bright future ahead of it.
Our love goes with you. We cannot wait to hear all the stories you will have to tell when you return…Wheneverthat might be.
Your parents
Vi brought the letter to her lips and kissed it gently. “I love you too, mother, father,” she whispered against the parchment. She could almost detect the faint scent of her mother’s perfume, mixing with the smoke that always seemed to coat her father’s clothes.
She read the letter twice more before setting it aside and beginning to dress. It felt like permission. It felt as though, somehow, her parents understood. One story had ended, but thanks to Yargen, she had a new one just beginning. Vi couldn’t stop beaming from ear to ear, and she bounded back on deck in time to see the details of Risen coming into focus.
They anchored as close as possible to the port—close enough that Vi could see the ceremonial delegation that lined the docks, ready to receive them. Her heart raced as she took her position in the front of the rowboat that would take her ashore.
Elecia and Jax were behind her. Ellene and Jayme were behind them in a separate vessel. Vi worried the silver ring in the shape of a phoenix that she wore on the middle finger of her right hand. It was not Fiera’s exact ring, but her father had commissioned it from old schematics found in the Le’Dan archives as a gift for her eighteenth birthday.
The rowboats pulled up to a low dock and Lumeria’s guard was ready to receive them. Men offered her assistance, bowing their heads as they helped her out of the small boat. Somehow, Vi managed to disembark without stumbling, and she said a quiet thanks to the sun above.
