Prologue
Beck
Invigorated by my swim, I shift into my human form as I pull myself out of the ocean and onto the dock, then check my watch sitting on top of my folded clothing to make sure I’m still on time.
Thankfully I’m ahead of schedule, my dragon not demanding too much attention from me this morning, leaving me free to fulfill all my duties as guardian of Starry Hill—including being the island’s ferryman and errand runner in the city, as required bytoday’s agenda.
That was a really good swim,I tell my dragon.Next time, let’s see if we can go even faster.
I quickly dry myself with my water magic before pulling on my pants and shirt, then hop in my boat and set off for Cape Easton while my dragon falls into a contented slumber within my chest.
As I lower my hand into the water to guide the boat along the current, I focus on the supplies I need to pick up for Marisol as she prepares for another ladies’ night at The Singing Seahorse. Going through the very specific list of everything she needs for their themed cocktails helps to distract me from another item on my timetable—a name, one that reminds of someone I knew a long time ago.
A friend. Best friend.
Eleanor. Or Nori as I used to call her.
But I know I’m not lucky enough to entertain any hope that it could actually be her. Fate has never been that kind to me.
I push away the fond yet painful memories from the last day I saw Nori, and focus on everything else that needs to happen before I ferry the commercial lawyer to our island so she can help Maisie with her new cakery.
Guiding my boat toward the familiar slot at Cape Easton harbor reserved for Starry Hill, I call on my dragon to help me scan for any threats. He opens a sleepy eye and halfheartedly scents the air. Satisfied it’s safe as usual, my dragon goes back to sleep and I make quick work of securing the boat before heading into the city’s streets to pick up all the orders.
I’m done much earlier than anticipated, jitters I’m not accustomed to holding my mind and my body captive all day,forcing me to return to the dock and wait for the stranger. I’m not even able to slip into my favorite gaming store to check if their new dice boxes have arrived.
Ignoring my desire to pace up and down, I root my feet to the dock while I monitor the hands on the watch nearing one o’clock, wondering if she’ll be late. Usually creatures are respectful of departure times, but I’ve had a couple of situations where we’ve been severely delayed due to their tardiness, which affects the entirety of my schedule for the rest of the day. Though, I do make an effort to remain polite regardless.
I’m still looking down as I sense someone approaching behind me, my dragon raising his head with renewed vigor as their fresh floral scent drifts downwind.
The moment I turn around, every other thought ceases to exist as my whole world realigns and my breath catches in my throat.
It’s my Nori.
She looks completely different, grown up, but I’d recognize her anywhere. Hair still the shade of a copper penny glinting in the sun, pulled back and constrained in a sleek bun, and familiar honey-brown eyes that hold so much warmth, even when tinged with nerves.
Nori’s so beautiful it sends my heart into a full-speed sprint. There aren’t sufficient words in my brain to explain how good it is to see her again, so I remain silent as I stare at her.
“Beck?” Nori asks carefully, her gaze heavy as she assesses me. It’s obvious she doesn’t recognize me, and I try not to let that hurt my feelings. I mean, why would she after all these years?
“Eleanor?” I return with a slight bow, keeping my tone polite and professional like I’d use with any newcomer I have to ferry to Starry Hill.
Eyes widening, Nori sucks in a breath. After a beat, she whispers tentatively, “Shinsu?”
Hearing her say my real name, one I haven’t used in twenty-two years, sends a thrill careening through my body. Memories of happy, carefree days together, of sunshine and laughter hitting me all at once.
My dragon sits tall, almost wagging his tail, and despite trying to suppress him out here in public, sends scales flashing across my cheeks and neck, hoping to get her attention.
Needing to fully confirm it truly is my former best friend, I manage to utter, “Nori?”
Nori’s lips lift at the corners as she approaches me. “How long has it been? Last time I saw you, you were—”
“We were twelve. It’s been twenty-two years,” I say, still stuck to the same spot as I try to process that this stunning woman really is my Nori, and I might actually have her back in my life again.
“Wait. You remember?” Nori asks, hope ringing in her voice as she pauses a couple of steps away from me.
“I’ve never forgotten you,” I answer honestly, not adequately able to express how often I’ve thought about that last day I saw her and how drastically my life changed after that.
We remain frozen for a few more seconds, and I can’t think of where to start with everything I want to ask her, all I want to know about her.
