Page 90 of Of Magic and Rum
My family stands on one side of the desk, Jack on the other, all silent and looking at me longingly for an answer to the burning question.
I take in a long breath and gulp. “I’ve found a new life here. This crew has accepted me even after discovering what I am and is like family. I can be both sides of me without care and still have a purpose.”
Triton rubs the back of his neck. “You never did like disguising yourself and wandering amidst mortals. A ship, the open seas, it suits you, sis.” He smiles, but it’s a sad one.
Tears prick my eyes. Sniffling, I curl my arm with Jack’s. “And Jack will get himself killed without me here. I’m sure of it.”
The melancholy in the room momentarily subsides, with everyone chuckling.
“I don’t think you realize how much I will miss you.” Dad rounds the desk, and I hug him tightly. “Does ithaveto be a pirate, though, honey?” He whispers against the side of my head.
“Honestly, Dad?” I peel back and playfully poke him. “If you weren’t King of the Seas, you might’ve been a pirate too.”
My mother twirls her hair and grins. “I like the sounds of that, Seid.”
Dad doesn’t retort because he knows I’m right and steps past me, holding his hand out to Jack. When Jack slips his hand into his, Dad pulls him closer. “If you hurt her, I promise you’ll find your ass on the wrong side of a trident, Jack. Do you understand me?”
Jack winces from Dad’s godly grip, and he nods. “Absolutely, sir. I hurt a lot of people and have lied to even more of them. But never her now. It’s a promise.”
“Glad we concur.” Dad lets go and moves to my mother.
Jack shakes out his hand and holds it limply at the wrist. “How does this acceptance deal work? A secret handshake?”
It’s a question I myself can ask.
Dad hugs my mother to his side. “I needed to be sure, but it would seem you two accepted it without knowing some time ago.”
Jack and I look at each other differently now. We’d been fighting a cosmic pull, and neither could win until we succumbed to our bond.
“Where are you heading, anyway?” Triton asks.
I freeze and slowly turn on my heel, tapping my fingernail on the desk. “Greece. Atlantis, specifically. Thought I’d try and find my way home there.”
Dad glares from me to Jack. “Andpiratesfound it in the grace of their good hearts to barter you?”
Jack folds his arms and leans on one hip, eagerly awaiting my answer.
“I—” Tap. Tap. “—I promised the Tavros jewel.”
“What?” My mother shouts, and my family immediately goes on the defense, lurching forward.
“That jewel powers the beacon. If you remove it—” Dad starts, his words frantic.
I raise my voice to get them to hush. “I wasn’t going to let them take it. I just needed them to get me there.” Pausing, I eye Jack sidelong, and he’sgrinning. “The plan, at first, was to murder Jack in his sleep and threaten the crew they’d meet the same fate if they touched it.”
Speechless. I’ve rendered my familyspeechless.
Jack turns me to him, and he cups my face, his grin widening at my admission. “And who needs a damn jewel when you’ve got a woman like this?” And much to my father’s and brother’s chagrin, Jack kisses me, sealing the bond we’ve accepted.
“Can I expect you back in Atlantis?” Dad asks.
“I’ll always come back to Atlantis to ensure it’s safe and to see you all. This isn’t goodbye.” I squeeze Jack’s hand before hugging my brother. “Someone needs to remind you how to swim occasionally, right, big bro?”
Triton embraces me and laughs. “Fat chance, you brat.” He ruffles my hair.
My mother looks at us with pride, her hands curled under her chin, and I realize it’s the first time she’s seen her children together as adults.
“Jack,” I wait for him to look at me, knowing he’ll do what I ask without hesitation. “Why don’t you show Dad and Triton your ship? Introduce the crew to the King of the Seas?”
