Page 40 of Reign of Light
“After I found the waters, I didn’t have a choice but to go with him back to the ship, but I chose to stay there. I learned the truth about Dane’s motives and everything he had done, and made my own decision. You all have been looking for so many years, and now that things are the way they are, we agreed to tell you the location.”
Pure shock is apparent in all the expressions before me. Gauge jumps to his feet, his hands on top of his head as he paces back and forth. Roley looks around at everyone, then back at me, like he is still having trouble understanding. Lilly reaches up and swipes at her cheeks. I can’t even fully comprehend what they are feeling, because this situation is so different from when we all found the mountain.
“It is going to be a hard decision. We can’t leave Dawnlin now. Whether or not you get the waters is up to you and the island. I completely understand if you choose not to try. Being granted them and not being able to return is something I don’t know if I could bear.But I also understand not wanting to live for eternity wondering and questioning. If I were on your side, I would want the choice.”
“What do you mean ‘being granted?’” Lilly calls from the back. “Don’t you all have them?”
I start to answer, wondering how I am going to explain the insides of the mountain to them, but Weston beats me to it.
“When you enter the chamber where the waters are held, the island decides if you are worthy of them,” he says. He shifts on his feet and rests his hands on his hips. “None of us have received them. We don’t know if it will be the same with any of you.”
The silence in the room is palpable, as the weight of the news sinks into all of them. Going into the mountain with the expectation that you may leave empty-handed might actually be better than my experience. Recovering from having the hope ripped away, and walking out feeling unworthy only to be captured by the enemy wasn’t easy to move past. It took time, and now we have that.
“Like I said, it’s your choice. You should really think about it,” I say.
“We can bring you all tomorrow,” Weston says as the silent stares turn toward him. Gauge still paces in the back of the room, and Sawyer’s head is now in his hands as he stares blankly at us. “You can sleep on it. Anyone who wants to try can meet us on the beach in the morning.”
“Thank you for telling us,” Mara says, her voice hoarse with unshed tears.
“You’re welcome.” I give her a soft smile, and she returns it, though slightly wavering as she holds back emotion. Despite everything that transpired between us, I truly don’t think Mara hated me, even when she acted like she did. She was hurt that she had lost another friend to the Castaways and was dealing with facing the reality that she would most likely be alone if she returned. And it’s hard to blame someone for their actions when they were blinded by manipulation.
“So you’re really not mean?” Roley asks, staring wide-eyed at Weston.
He shakes his head with a chuckle. “No, Roley, I’m not mean.”
“That’s debatable,” I mutter, and his low huff brings a smile to my face.
“Can I go see the ship?” Roley says and jumps to his feet.
“Sure,” Weston agrees. “I bet Fin will be excited to show you everything.”
Murmurs erupt in the room as everyone can’t contain themselves any longer, and I take it as our cue to leave and let them do what they need to come to a decision.
“Does anyone have questions?” I ask, but everyone still looks too stunned to voice anything right now.
“If any come up, you know where to find us. Otherwise, we will see whoever wants to try in the morning.” Weston’s hand settles on my low back as he leads me toward the door. I give the Voyagers a final wave before stepping back out into the open air and loosing a deep breath. Weston closes the door behind us before his arms cross over his chest.
“That went better than I expected,” he says.
“I agree,” I sigh. “I feel relieved.”
“You did great, Lennox.”
“I don’t know how you talk to the crew like that all the time. I feel like I could take a nap now.”
He chuckles and then steps toward me, his hand finding my back again. “Lots of practice. You would have gotten the hang of it.”
Because I would have had to do it my entire life once I was queen.
Not anymore.
We start off down the walkway toward the platform, but I remember something I wanted to do, that I didn’t have the chance to before. The last time I left camp, I couldn’t do anything that might tip Dane off that I didn’t plan to return, but now, I don’t have to hide anything.
“Follow me. I want to grab something.” I weave my fingers between his and lead him through camp until I get to our set of bunks.
“I’ll be right back.” I release his hand and grab the rungs of the ladder, climbing quickly to my platform. I hope it’s all still there, and that Dane didn’t destroy it after he discovered I was a traitor.
When I reach the top, I pull myself onto the platform, only to be startled that Weston didn’t stay behind.
