Page 56 of Courting the Fae Captain (Romancing the Realms #4)

‘There is one word for happiness that sums it up quite nicely. Him .’

Journal excerpt, Aeris Lockhart

T he winter winds rippled through my hair and threatened to steal away my scarf. Freezing was an understatement for the weather today, and I was not looking forward to feeling its chill out at sea, even if I was very much looking forward to sailing it with the male before me.

Raithe helped the servants load the last of the supplies onto his ship, his black hair wind-tousled and his rippling muscles clad in a navy tunic and pants that brought out the colour of his eyes.

He was taking me on a voyage, where there would be nothing but the sky and sea and the ship we sailed on for company.

And a few servants, I supposed, but all of them were happy to escape the castle for a time, and all would be handsomely paid for their service.

I needed the trip. The reprieve from the business of the castle, and an escape from thoughts of brewing war and court politics.

Despite the pure bliss that was Raithe, I was also struggling from the aftermath of the Rite.

Dreams of Waiflings and bloodied females plagued me, and my body remained in a state of fight or flight.

I needed time to unwind and decompress. And I needed time with Raithe before our attention turned to matters of castle and state.

I wasn’t quite ready for all that came with being lady yet, so a short escape would do wonders.

In our absence, Raithe’s mother would stand in as Lady of Castle Windaire while we were away, with my own by her side, until things settled down.

It warmed my heart to see the two of them together. Bound by the trials and tribulations they’d faced, they created a friendship that had been cemented through hardship and despair. Family. A real family. The occupants living at Castle Windaire were in good hands.

Sherai, Akira, and our mothers had accompanied us here to see us off before we commenced our voyage.

My friends stood beside me now, watching the males do the work and feeling zero guilt about it whatsoever.

Sherai took my hand and leaned her head on my shoulder, and even Akira stepped closer, bundling up beside me.

I didn’t want to do it. Didn’t want to say goodbye to the incredible females beside me.

Both were so different, yet so utterly precious.

Part of my family now. We’d been through so much, and still had so much to do.

The court, the war, the fight for justice in these lands…

My eyes found Raithe’s as he appeared at the end of the gangplank and winked at me. “It’s time, my love.”

His mother surged forward, and I watched a little longer as they exchanged words just for them, before she hugged him tight.

His face crinkled with warmth, even as a tightness pulled at his brows and lips.

I knew it was guilt that surged through him.

I knew he’d be conscious of her too-skinny frame, or the fact they’d just reunited, only for him to leave straight away.

But he and I needed this. And I think they did, too.

It would be something to keep their hands and minds busy while they readjusted.

Something to stave away the terrors of what came before.

I smiled at Raithe as he looked at me over her shoulder, and he offered one back.

Such a simple gesture that filled me with such light.

I sucked in a deep breath and stepped away, turning to face my friends.“This is it,” I said softly. “This is where we say goodbye.”

“That seems so final,” Akira grumbled. “I don’t like it.”

Sherai laughed. “It’s not like we won’t see each other again. Besides, I’ll be expecting letters from you both. You can direct them to the Palace of Pantai.”

My eyes widened. “You got in? I didn’t know you’d applied!”

“I got in.” She pressed her fingertips to her lips and squealed as she did a happy dance. Her eyes glittered with excitement. “I sent my letter last week, the day we revolted. Honestly, I’m surprised they got back to me so soon. I’m pretty sure they only do an intake twice a year.”

Oh? “You wouldn’t have had anything to do with Sherai’s enrolment, would you?” I asked Raithe while Sherai continued to detail her excitement.

“I may have put in a good word for her character. The rest was all her.”

“You know I fucking love you, right?” I sent back. The playful pulse of shadow he sent trickling along the bond was pure triumph, smugness and joy. And I loved him for that. For always thinking of others.

Akira rested an arm around Sherai’s shoulders. “Like there was any chance they wouldn’t accept you. Guess our girl’s gonna be a scholar after all.”

I beamed at Sherai. She was beautiful in her joy, with her coils fluttering in the breeze, her tawny skin gleaming, and her honey-brown eyes shining bright.

This was why we’d rebelled. So females as clever as her could lead the next generation.

Educated, adventurous, unstoppable. Mithria would be all the stronger for it.

“I’m proud of you, Sherai,” I said softly.

Tears prickled in her eyes, but she nodded softly. “Right back at you.”

I turned to Akira. “What will you do now?”

She grinned as she looked past me. I glanced over my shoulder, only to find Raithe beaming in return. My head shot back to Akira, and I groaned. “What have you two cooked up?”

“Oh, nothing,” she said innocently. “Unless you count me hijacking your little love boat to hitch a ride over open waters.” Her face sobered, her lovely dark eyes flitting once more to the sea.

“I want to find them, Aeris. They’re out there somewhere, to lands rarely travelled by our kind of Fae.

I’m going to find my family. I’m going home. ”

My heart swelled for her, for all the things she’d endured in a land that wasn’t hers for a god she didn’t recognise. But I knew in my heart she would find them. If anyone could, it would be Akira.

“You will,” I promised. “And you can stay with us as long as you need.”

Sherai screwed her nose up. “You do realise you’ve elected to join a newly mated pair on a voyage out at sea, right? Good luck with that.”

Akira laughed. “I’ll find a way to survive, I promise.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re both ridiculous.” My lips curved slyly. “If not entirely wrong.”

“Let’s never forget this,” Sherai said. “This bond. What we’ve been through.”

“Never,” Akira agreed as she surprised us both with a big hug. “Some things will never die.”

“To friendship,” Sherai said.

I smiled at the two bright lights beside me. “To us.”