Stormbreak (Seafire #3) - Natalie C. Parker Page 0,118

dancers. Far appeared a moment later, with Folly close beside her, bearing baskets of small cakes. Far’s mind still struggled with crowds, and she much preferred the quiet dark of a pantry, but every once in a while, they coaxed her topside and reminded her that the world didn’t have to be cruel and that her family loved her. Caledonia was glad to see this was one of those moments. The woman had even added a flower to her unruly black curls. Ares was here, too, and for the first time, he didn’t look like he thought the sky might explode at any second.

Donnally was the only one missing. Caledonia had asked him to come, but he’d only smiled and reminded her that he didn’t belong there. Not yet.

Despite that, everything felt good. Recovering from all they’d been through was going to take time and Caledonia wasn’t sure exactly how she fit into this picture any longer, but this moment was good.

“You’re glaring,” Oran said from just behind her. “It’s starting to make people nervous. See how they’ve carved a path around you?”

Caledonia smiled. “I didn’t ask for your opinion.”

Oran slipped his fingers through hers and tugged her close. “Did you want me to lie?”

“Never.” She wanted to press her lips against his, but there was still a question between them that hadn’t been answered. “I only want your truths.”

As the sun burned into the horizon it cast a shimmer of gold across Oran’s features. The light caught in his lashes and plunged into the endless brown rings of his eyes. He tipped his head toward hers, just enough that his hair brushed her forehead.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” Caledonia stood rooted in place, every bit of her body aware of his.

“All right,” he said, his smile becoming serious. “Then I promise to be true.”

Oran had worn many faces in the time they’d known one another. He’d been the hopeful prisoner, the steely Fiveson, the shadowed Steelhand. But here he was someone new. He was warm and vulnerable and confident. He was changing and he wasn’t afraid.

Caledonia leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. She didn’t care that the eyes of her entire crew were on them, she only cared that Oran’s arms were around her and hers around him and they would have a tomorrow. It didn’t have to be forever. Neither of them could make that promise, but they could promise to figure that out together.

Caledonia kissed him again, tasting his tongue against hers and breathing in the sea-kissing salt of his skin. Only when the cheering started did she pull away, breathless and smiling.

“I love you,” she said.

Oran nodded as if they were both the most obvious words and the sweetest he’d ever heard. Then, laughing, he pulled her toward her crew and they danced as night fell and stitched them into the black sea.

EPILOGUE

The waters of the Bone Mouth were alive with sunlight. Layers of vibrant blue rocks and sediment ribboned beneath the surface as Caledonia and Pisces dipped their oars in a steady rhythm. Behind them, the Gem rolled out of the sea like the humped back of a turtle with emerald green smeared unevenly down the middle. They drove their small boat into a bank of reeds and pulled it out of the clutches of the tide so they could empty its contents on shore.

They’d made this trip three times already and each time they brought a few more supplies. Solar plates, bolts of canvas, and tools for building had come first, followed by a full crate of seedbrick, soiltech, and a few seedling plants that would someday produce juicy tomatoes and peppers. For now, it was enough to sustain a person for several moons. The rest would come later with Oran.

When they’d unloaded the remaining supplies, they walked down the narrow strip of beach between the ocean and the forest. Waves rolled in and out, sighing against the shore and turning the sand into a glassy plane. The island supported fruit trees and small animals, both of which would supplement the food Caledonia had brought with her. Beyond that, it was quiet and empty.

“Are you sure?” Pisces asked.

A warm breeze pushed at their backs, throwing Caledonia’s curls against her cheeks. She’d chosen the Gem because it had been an open wound for so long. Returning to it seemed like the only way to make peace.

“I’m sure,” Caledonia said.

The city was in good hands, Pisces’s hands, and there were too many stories about Caledonia