“It’s time to leave,” Ryland says, stepping to my side as I rest my head on Vivo’s nose. Vivo doesn’t growl at my chosen, she is happy to let him near her, but no one else. In the last two days, while we have gotten the ship ready to leave and enough food to last us the trip, she has caused problems. It was like she could sense I had to leave, and I was distressed about it. It’s not that I don’t want to leave the mountains, because I do, but I don’t want to leave Vivo. She feels like family to me.

“Vivo, I have to leave, and go to the mermaids. I can’t take you with me, sorry, girl. I'm scared they might try to attack you,” I say, and she huffs, snow falling on my feet as it drips from her mouth. “I know you want to come, but the mermaids might take offense to me flying a dragon to them. So, can you stay here with the mountain people until they leave, and go with them? We will meet at the other side.” She huffs again, stepping back and flying off the mountain, the rush of air making me step back.

“I don’t think that was a yes,” Ryland says wryly, as he wraps his arms around my waist.

“It wasn’t. She is stubborn, but she won’t do anything that will risk my life. I know that,” I say, watching her fly away towards the other dragons flying around outside.

“Like her rider,” Ryland chuckles, and kisses my forehead. “We must leave if we have any chance of getting to the mermaids and back in time.” I let Ryland lead me away from the landing dock and down towards the bottom of the mountains. People are rushing around us so much that they don’t even notice me and Ryland. The mountains are in a panic trying get ready for the war. The announcement was made not long after I left Everly’s room, and it’s been crazy here ever since.

“Is the ship ready?” I ask.

“Yes, we had to move it the edge of the waterfall, but the crew have it all set up to go. We believe it will take two weeks to travel to the mermaids in the Lost Sea. The Lost Sea is extremely dangerous to travel, with a lot of jagged rocks and broken ships. It will be easier to navigate out of the Lost Sea than in, so only a week to travel from there to the king,” Ryland explains to me.

“Do you think the mermaids will make a deal with us?” I ask him, wanting to know his opinion.

“No, not with us, but perhaps with you and Everly.” I give him a confused look, “Mermaids are known to make deals with powerful women. They do not like men and usually kill them. I still have no idea how my father got close enough to make a deal with them,” he says, and I hate the pain I see in his eyes when he speaks of his father.

“Do you know who Everly is to you?” I ask quietly.

“No, what do you mean? Should I?” he replies.

“She told me last night that she is the heir. She is your cousin, a bastard child born from your grandfather’s affair with a maid,” I tell him, and he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. I look up to see a big smile on his lips.

“You have no idea how glad it makes me to learn she is the heir. I always felt . . . protective of her. Like she was my sister in a way. I know Hunter noticed it, too. Hunter and I never wanted the throne, and we would never have been good kings. Our father scarred us too much, and we want to be free more than we want to rule,” he tells me as we walk through the cave, coming out to the bay full of ships. They are being moved, and now our ship is right at the edge of the waterfall, with people carrying boxes onto the ship.

“The sea god set a lot of this up, I know he did. He likely made you want to protect her. Everyone seems to want to protect Everly, but no one ever questioned why they felt that way. It’s because she is the true queen,” I say, looking up to see Dante and Everly talking on the ship. Dante grins when he sees me, walking away and to the edge of the plank of wood that leads to the ship. Ryland lets me go, so I can run up to Dante and wrap my arms around him.

“I haven’t seen you much, I’ve missed you,” I mumble.

“I had to train and every time I came to find you, you were busy,” he complains. Before I can reply, he kisses me, sweeping me up into his arms with the passionate kiss.

“I won’t go, I’m sorry. I won't do it . . . I just can't!" I hear Roger exclaim. Breaking away from the kiss, I turn to see him standing in the middle of the ship, shouting at Jacob.

“That’s why I told you where we are going, Roger. You don't have to come," Jacob placates, holding his hands up. I'd forgotten that my pirates had rescued Roger from the mermaids. He must have such horrible memories and lingering fears of them. It would explain why he's so adamant in his refusal to come with us.

“The mermaids will kill you all, you fools!” Roger shouts, and storms over to me. Dante keeps me in his arms, and moves me slightly to the side, so he can defend me if needed.

“Please don’t go, Miss Cassandra. They will kill you and everyone on this ship,” Roger begs me, grabbing my hands.

“I have to, but I’m not a weak child, nor defenceless. Do not worry about me,” I tell him and move away from Dante to pull Roger into a hug. I whisper quietly, so only he can hear me. “Don’t fear your past, for you are better than that. Now go, have a good future, and we shall see you again one day." I pull away from the embrace, and he gives me a sharp nod before walking around me and Dante, heading off the ship.

“It was the right thing to tell him where we are headed. He doesn’t deserve the see the past he is still tormented by," I say to Jacob as he comes over to me.

“But you have to do just that, how is that fair?”

“It’s life,” I say sadly, leaning up and kissing his scarred cheek. I walk away from them and head to the very front of the ship. I climb up on the edge, seeing the mermaid statue underneath me and the waterfall right in front of me. I hear my pirates shouting orders, getting the ship ready to go, but I just keep my eyes on the water. Suddenly, I feel two hands slide around my waist.

“Ready, little bird?” Hunter asks me, resting his chin on my shoulder, and the ship moves, heading straight for open water. As we break through the waterfall, it splashes down on us, and I keep my eyes open as we move through to the other side. The ship turns sharply to the right, down a long passage of caves, and then we see finally see the first rays of sunlight from outside.

“This is it, isn’t it? We have to fight and win,” I whisper as the daylight hits my face and warms my skin. The contrast of the cold sea winds with the warm light is soothing. It almost makes me feel free, like I can make my own choices and have the future I’ve always wanted.

“First, we need to convince one of the deadliest races in this world to help us. A race known for killing first and never asking questions later,” Hunter comments and turns my head, keeping his hand on my cheek. “But before any of that, I want my girl to kiss me.” I smirk, before doing just as he asks.