“Correct.” Bel used the same precision he had used the first time to create this portal, nodding approvingly at his work. “Don’t let go.”
“I won’t.”
We stepped through the portal with excitement running through our veins. It was almost time.
Hilton Head, South Carolina,
United States of America
Atlantic Coast
IWHISTLED QUIETLY.“YES, THAT IS A YACHT,BEL.”
“Told you.” He smirked in pleasure, his eyes traveling left and right over his stunning white and blue baby. “We need to board so the captain can do his work.”
I followed behind him and strolled up the gangway. “How many employees do you have on here?”
“Fifteen.”
“They aren’t coming with us when we get to S’Kir, are they?”
“No. They’ll stay onboard.” Bel glanced to the side, where a vampire waved. With a gentle nod of his head, Bel greeted him as we stepped onboard. “Captain, how are you?”
“I’m wonderful. However, I am highly confused by the orders you sent. I am supposed to go out of port, and then just…go wherever I please?”
The king nodded his head, the sun glistening on his hair. “This is the part I did not tell you. At one part of the journey, the way you will know you are there is the mist. The heaviest mist you’ve ever seen. You need to stop then and anchor down.
“Queen Gwynnore and I will take the tender to shore from there. You and the crew will stay onboard. We may be gone days, weeks, or months. You did get all of the supplies I told you to order, correct?”
The captain nodded his head. “We did. May I ask where you will be for so long?”
Bel smiled so big his molars showed. “We’re going to S’Kir.”
His eyes widened. “Are you sure—”
“Absolutely. And I expect you to use your discretion when speaking about our destination. Yes?”
“Of course.” The captain ducked his head into a bow, but his eyes were still enormous on his face. “When would you like to leave?”
Instant. “Ten minutes ago.”
“Understood.” The captain pivoted and went through a sliding door, disappearing from sight.
I lifted my brows with a playful smile on my face. “I want to go to the very front of the boat and stay there. I want to see this magical island from the first second the mist arrives.”
“Then you shall have it.”
Bel took my hand and led me straight to the bow of the boat. A hot tub and massive seats with blue cushions decorated the space.
He said, “Pick wherever you want.”
I dropped my backpack on the ground…and raced for the tip of the boat and stood there. If my life was turning to the bizarre, I was going to embrace it—for today, anyway.
Bel walked at a sedate pace until he stood next to me. He gripped the railing and lifted his gaze to the ocean. He whispered, “We’re so close.”
“And we’ll get there.” I bumped my hip gently against his. “You have two Original amulets in your pockets. It’ll happen, Bel.”
He simply nodded, though. His hands gripped the railing tighter, his distress showing in his whitening knuckles.
