He’ll figure it out,she told herself as she slid into the passenger seat.Or he won’t. But I’m done being the one doing all the work.
For the first time since arriving on Everflame Isle, Isla felt like she was finally taking control of her own story.
Before long, Isla followed Evelina toward the sleek motorboat bobbing gently against the weathered pier. Salt-tinged air filled her lungs, but the tropical paradise couldn’t quite wash away the lingering tension from her confrontation with Damon in the garden.
“Did you enjoy yourself at the party?” Evelina’s voice carried genuine warmth as she stepped gracefully onto the boat’s polished deck.
Isla accepted the older woman’s steadying hand, her sandals finding purchase on the non-slip surface. “Yes, everyone was so friendly and welcoming. I had a wonderful time getting to know your clan.” She settled onto the cushioned bench, her flowing skirt catching the ocean breeze. “They’re all so proud of Everflame Isle and what you’ve built together.”
The boat’s engine hummed to life, cutting through the gentle lapping of waves against the hull. Evelina’s perceptive green eyes studied Isla’s face as they pulled away from the dock, the smaller island gradually shrinking behind them.
“But things between you and Damon are still complicated.”
How does she read me so easily?
Isla tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear, watching the endless expanse of turquoise water stretch toward the horizon. “Tense and messy would be more accurate. I want to believe in fate, in what Gerri told me about us being destined, but he’s making it impossible to trust blindly in something so important.”
Evelina’s expression softened with understanding. “Just because fate says you belong together doesn’t mean the path will be smooth, dear. Love isn’t just a feeling that descends from the heavens—it’s a verb, not simply a noun. It requires daily effort, constant attention, and the choice to keep choosing each other even when things become difficult.”
FOURTEEN
ISLA
The words hit Isla like a revelation, unraveling assumptions she’d carried since childhood. She’d always imagined love as something that should flow effortlessly. Her parents had made their relationship appear seamless, but now she wondered if she’d only seen the polished surface of their bond.
They chose each other every single day,she realized, especially during Dad’s illness.
“I feel foolish for thinking it should just click into place,” Isla admitted, her voice barely audible above the boat’s steady rhythm. “Like everything would be magical and perfect once I found my person.”
“That’s not foolish—it’s human.” Evelina’s smile held decades of hard-earned wisdom. “The magic comes from two people deciding to build something beautiful together, not from some cosmic force doing all the work.”
The larger island soon materialized through the ocean haze, its bustling harbor a stark contrast to Everflame Isle’s serene isolation. Colorful buildings climbed the volcanic slopes, and Isla could make out the ant-like movement of people going about their daily lives.
“Is this place also full of dragon shifters?” Isla asked as they approached the crowded marina.
Evelina’s posture stiffened almost imperceptibly. “Yes, this is rival clan territory. Veyrik’s domain. But they have superior shops and supplies, so I venture here occasionally. I haven’t encountered any serious problems yet.”
The next few hours passed in a whirlwind of exploration and discovery. They wandered through markets overflowing with exotic goods, visited bookstores that sparked endless ideas for their own project, and collected an eclectic array of supplies. Isla found herself genuinely enjoying Evelina’s company, the older woman’s sharp wit and extensive knowledge making every stop educational and entertaining.
They were examining hand-carved wooden shelving displays when Isla noticed Evelina’s entire demeanor shift. The woman went rigid, her green eyes tracking something behind Isla’s shoulder.
“Follow my lead,” Evelina whispered, her voice carrying an edge of steel that hadn’t been there moments before.
Isla nodded, her heart rate spiking as she turned to see what had caused such alarm. A man and woman approached with predatory confidence, their movements too fluid and controlled to be entirely human. The man was tall and broad with brown hair and ice-gray eyes that seemed to catalog every weakness, while the woman moved with lethal grace, her dark hair framing sharp features and piercing blue eyes.
“Hello, Kalis. Sylara.” Evelina’s greeting was polite but strained.
“Well, well.” Kalis’s voice carried amusement that didn’t reach his cold eyes. “What brings the esteemed Evelina to our territory today?”
“Simply shopping for some items. I wasn’t causing any disturbances.”
Sylara circled them with feline precision, her calculating gaze making Isla’s skin crawl. “Our Alpha Veyrik doesn’t appreciate Everflame dragons conducting business here without permission. You know the protocols.”
“You’re absolutely right. I should have requested authorization first.” Evelina’s diplomatic tone never wavered, but Isla could sense the tension radiating from her rigid posture. “I had a special guest, and in my excitement to show her around, I failed to follow proper etiquette.”
This is my fault.Guilt twisted in Isla’s chest as she realized her presence had put Evelina in this precarious position.
“We’ll overlook it this time,” Kalis said, stepping closer until his imposing frame invaded their space. “But tell us—who is this pretty little human?”
