Page 67 of Courting the Fae Captain

“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.”