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After hearing that Mathius had gone quiet, he hadn’t talked to a soul since. He worked tirelessly on building the vessel, seeming more desperate to leave with each passing moment.

Unsurprisingly, I am the only siren who wants to leave with the men and sail to Halvendor. My sisters are all perfectly happy to stay on Kafigda. I vowed to visit whenever possible, but I will miss them all dearly, especially Florence and Kat.

As if conjuring her from the mere thought, Kat materializes from the ocean, walking toward me with a broad smile on her lips. “I’ve never been so far out to sea,” she squeals.

“I told you this place was a cage, but you never wanted to listen.”

“I’m not too proud to admit it, E. You were right, this freedom feels so good. It feels right.” Kat smirks at me. “And now I’ve an entire sea full of sailors to lure with my song. I mean, the possibilities are endless.”

I shake my head at her because, of course, she is only thinking about bringing more men here.

“I’m glad you are happy here, Kat. I’m going to miss you.”

She instantly wraps me in a crushing hug, still wet from her swim, but I don’t care. I hug her back just as tightly. This might be the last time I see her for months, maybe years, and I will savor this moment for as long as I can.

“I love you, E.” She whispers.

“I love you too, Kat. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do while I’m away.”

She breaks our hug and raises a brow at me, “Oh, I will most definitely do everything you wouldn’t do while you are away.”

We both laugh, enjoying each other's company, when Florence walks over to us. Kat grabs my hand, squeezing it before giving me a wink and leaving the two of us alone.

Flo stands beside me, looking out at the setting sun as it casts streaks of orange and pink across the sky.

“The world out there is different than what we have here, Eve.” Her voice is reserved, even, but holds just the tiniest bit of emotion. “It won’t be easy learning their way of life.”

I grab her hand, lacing our fingers together, “I know, Flo.”

She finally looks at me, and I can see the unshed tears welling in her eyes. “You can come back at any time, you hear me. If you need anything, I am here for you, always.”

The sting of tears prickles behind my eyes, and I wrap my arms around her. “I’m going to miss you so much, Flo.”

She releases our embrace, holding onto my shoulders and looking me pointedly in the eye. “Your gifts will grow stronger on the mainland, child. You are half elf, half siren. It is why your gifts have always been more toward healing. The elven magic comes from the forests and the earth. Your gifts are tied directly to the nature around you. Practice and use it well.”

I smile at her, the tears now trailing down my cheeks. “Thank you, Flo. For all you’ve done for me, for loving and teaching me over the years.”

“I would do the same time and again, child.” Her eyes crinkle at the edges, and a sadness comes over me because, since the magic Yvette was using is now gone, all of the Elders have aged rapidly in the past two days, Florence included. I make it a point to come back and visit as soon as I can, but now it’s time to do something for myself. To live out my dreams.

Florence nods her head behind me, and I find Kai walking down the beach toward us. She gives me one more hug before heading back to the huts, and Kai suddenly smiles down at me with all the love and elation in the world.

“It’s done.” He says, “The boat is ready.”

I let out an unsteady breath, feeling eager to start this new adventure but nervous at the same time.

“What do you say, Evie? Are you ready to sail to Halvendor? To see the world outside of Kafigda.” Kai’s eyes twinkle with excitement.

The dawn of a new life was on the horizon, and I was ready to go out and meet it.

“I’m ready, Kai. Let's go home.”

Epilogue

Far across the sea, there is a land that was once rich with magical life, now only inhabited by humans. A land not entirely pleased with this chapter in history, feeling abandoned, over-farmed, sucked dry of all it can provide. This land started as a home for all those seeking a place to rest and rebuild. A land of harmony and peace, where magic flowed through the ground like the roots of the oldest trees. It did not matter where you came from, who or what you were; you could find a home here in Halvendor.

The rulers of this land would never call themselves something as formal as King or Queen. They were stewards of the land. Their magic thrived here, and with that, so did all of their people. An ancient race, who came from far away, but were chased out of their homes by greed and power. By fear for all their power could create. So they fled, and on their journey, they found the lush shores and tall trees that covered this continent. These forests could feel the call of their magic, and the land began to bend to the will of the Losalfar Elves, who wantednothing more than to create a magical resting place for those in need.

Over the centuries, more and more magical beings were drawn to this haven they had built, and for a time. Halvendor was at peace until slowly industry moved in. Cities began to take over the lush forests that used to thrive, industry over powers. Without the stewards of the land, the Losalfar Elves, to care for it, Halvendor falls deeper into shadow every day.

The humans drove the elves, goblins, dwarves, and sirens from their land so long ago that there are those too young to even know these sorts of creatures existed outside of the fairytales they were told. But an elven king has returned to this land, and it hears his call. It feels his power through the roots of every tree, across the mountains that stand tall, in every creature living and dead.

It comes back to life.

This king was lost centuries ago, tales of a siren song luring him to the rocky shores of her island home and siphoning the last dregs of his power until he was begging for a merciful death.

But not all stories are true, and the king has returned, heartbroken, but with a daughter in tow. A daughter who is a siren, tail and all, in love with a man now ripe to take over a powerful province. With his family by his side, this king is ready to take back his throne and restore peace to Halvendor.

While the land is happy with this elven king’s return, not every force is pleased with this turning of the tide. Some want power to stay right where it’s been for those long centuries, in the hands of the wicked.