Page 128

Morvoren laughed, moving to stand on the tips of her toes to draw him closer, her arms wrapped around his neck. “I don’t need an easy life, Trevik. Nor do I want one. All I want—all I need—is a life with ye.”

He blinked swiftly, but not before she caught the glistening in his eyes. “Be that a yes, then?”

She smiled. “That be a yes.”

Then his lips pressed against hers once again.

She didn’t know how much time passed as Trevik held her in his arms, but when a squeal on the wind caught her attention, she pulled back and peered across the cliffside to where Poppy ran toward them, flapping her arms in the air like a seaweed in the water.

Mrs. Honeysett followed swiftly behind, shaking her head in amusement at her daughter’s behavior.

“She’s been dyin’ to see ye,” Trevik said, taking Morvoren’s hand in his and pulling her toward them. “They both ’ave.”

Morvoren couldn’t deny that she felt the very same. When Poppy reached them, she jumped toward Morvoren, swinging her arms around her. “Oh, I be that ’appy to see ye again! And I saw ye two kissin’! Does that mean ye’ll be stayin’?”

Morvoren pulled back, laughing through her tears of joy. “Yes, I’ll be stayin’ ’ere, Poppy.”

Mrs. Honeysett reached them then, wrapping Morvoren up in a long, tight embrace. “Welcome ’ome, dear.”

She kissed Morvoren softly on the cheek, then released her hold of her, allowing Trevik to take his place at Morvoren’s side.

Together, the four of them walked toward the edge of the cliff, staring at the final rays of light splayed out across the sea. The Pilferer drifted out upon the waves, its sails matching the soothing colors of the balmy sunset.

“Ye missed the lugger,” Morvoren said, wrapping her arm around Trevik’s back.

“I know. But I be more ’an ’appy to stay ’ome with ye tonight.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and she leaned into him, taking a deep breath of the air around her.

Home. That was where she was. And that was where she would always remain.

EPILOGUE

Morvoren took Trevik’s offered hand and followed him as they left their home and set off toward the beach. The warmth of the May sun incessantly pressed down upon them, but Morvoren couldn’t be happier about the heat. It would make swimming in the sea all the more enjoyable.

They walked hand-in-hand down the pathway, their easy smiles continuing as they passed by the Cardys’ home where Edern stood just outside.

“Headed out for a walk?” he asked, straight-lipped.

The tension between them tightened, as it always did when the Honeysetts and the Cardys spoke.

“Indeed,” Trevik responded. “’Ave to take advantage o’ this sunshine while we can.”

The man nodded in silence, then his eyes settled on Morvoren. It had taken a great deal of time—eight months, in fact—for Edern to finally come around to the idea of Morvoren staying in Tristwick. Only in the last few weeks had he begun to finally acknowledge her in a way that didn’t just involve scowls.

“Mrs. ’Oneysett,” he finally greeted, tipping his cap to her. Then he turned away.

Morvoren smiled, knowing such an action had taken a great deal of pride-swallowing for the man. Poppy still hadn’t forgiven Edern for his foolish behavior, but Morvoren couldn’t fault the old man’s superstitious ways. At least, not to a large degree.

Once they were past Edern, Morvoren glanced up slyly at her husband. “Why didn’t ye tell ’im where we were really goin’?”

Trevik smirked. “’Cause I didn’t wish for ’im to think ye still be a mermaid, causin’ yet another disaster on me ’ands.”

Morvoren laughed. “Wise man.”

They continued along the pathway, passing by a few other families before the Bosankos stopped them.

“Enjoyin’ your day, ye two?” Mr. Bosanko said, Charlie beside him, tossing rocks down the cliffside into the water.