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LILY

My mother had the strength to smile rather than cry, tried to be excited when she probably felt terrified. “Be careful.” She embraced me in a hard hug before she kissed me upon the brow. “Don’t leave me alone with these two for long. I’m outnumbered.”

I smiled. “I won’t, Mom.”

She gave me another squeeze before she stepped aside.

Hawk came up to me next, not as emotional as either of my parents. “Bring back some treasure. Something that will impress the ladies.”

“There’s nothing you can do to impress any ladies.”

He smiled like he didn’t take it too personally. “Be careful. And don’t be afraid to go for the groin when you need to.”

“I won’t.”

He gave me a quick hug then patted me on the back. “See you soon, sis.”

“See you soon.”

He stepped away.

My father was the only one left.

He looked at me, eyes devoid of emotion, like he was utterly broken.

It killed me.

My mother moved her hand to his shoulder and gave it a squeeze of encouragement.

We stood on the docks where the ship was tied to the pier. Our supplies and essentials had already been loaded below deck. It was a beautiful day with the wind in our favor. But it was a cloudy one for me, saying goodbye like this.

He finally stepped forward and took a heavy breath to steel his nerves.

He’d supported my decision when I’d told him what I wanted, but I knew now that was just a front.

He was worried and scared, probably up all night wondering if he should stop me from going.

He looked me in the eye and said nothing.

“I’ll be okay, Dad.”

His eyes dropped to the dock below us. He still said nothing, like he didn’t have words.

“It’ll be over before you know it.”

His eyes found mine again, but he still didn’t speak.

I hated hurting him like this. “Ask me to stay, and I will.”

“Stay,” he said quickly, even pleaded with his eyes.

I felt my eyes widen in surprise.

My mother came to his side and gave his arm a squeeze. “Talon.”

He looked down at her touch before he faced me again. “This is hard for me in ways you’ll never understand.”

“I know it’s hard to let a child go on their own.”

He smiled, but it was a sad one, the saddest one I’d ever seen.

“It’s more than that…but that’s a conversation for another time.

” He moved into me and gripped me by the shoulders.

“I’ve taught you everything I know. You have every skill to make it back to me.

I tell myself this over and over, but it’s still hard. ”

“I know, Dad.”

“Please be safe.”

“I promise.”

He stepped closer to me and lowered his voice. “I know your itinerary. Dragons have volunteered to circle the route every so often. If you need help, call for aid, and they will come to you.”

My heart ached even more.

“And the last thing I’ll tell you is this.

Never, for any reason, travel far to the west. Your route takes you nowhere near the direction I speak of.

But in case your travel plans change, heed this warning.

” His eyes hardened as the anger burned forth.

“A dead island sits at sea. Its trees are withered, and a fog of despair blankets its shores. Great evil lives there. Never go there, Lily Rothschild.”

“How do you know this?—”

“ Promise me that you will never go there .”

I wanted to know why, wanted to know what my father had seen. “I promise. But what evil lives there?—”

“That’s a story for another time. Gives you an incentive to return.”

“Like I need more of a reason, Dad.”

The anger in his eyes slowly faded. “May the wind be in your sails. And may the sea be in your heart.” He closed his fist and placed it over his heart, the old pirate salute he used to give with his crew long ago.

I did the same, my hand over my heart. “And in yours.”

Pride entered his gaze, masked with sadness. He moved into me and hugged me hard, squeezed me like he still didn’t want me to go. “I love you, Lily Lena Rothschild.”

I squeezed him back and fought my own tears. “I love you too.”