Chapter Thirty-Six

A fog set in over the bay as we approached Gob Harbor. The clang of buoys echoed eerily, and I shivered. The elves crouched behind barrels, keeping their heads below the railings.

The prisoners had been brought above deck, their hands and feet secured, mouths gagged.

“The docks are just ahead,” Thezriel called from behind the wheel, easing us into port. Pudge and I tossed ropes to workers on the dock, and they secured us. We’d been hiding at sea for a couple of days so we could come in on the day that Honour had originally said we’d be back. This gave us more time to come up with a plan. One that I hoped wouldn’t fail.

The haze parted enough for me to just make out my father, Archer, and the King’s Council waiting for us. A crowd of villagers gathered farther back, nervous anticipation evident on their faces.

I met Father’s glance, and his face fell. He was looking for Dorian. I turned away, motioning for Pudge to bring Honour forward.

Honour thrashed around, mouth gagged. Pudge held tight to him, dagger pressed to his throat.

“We know the King’s Council has betrayed the king,” I shouted. “You sent Honour, Vane, and many others to make sure we didn’t come back alive. Isn’t that right, Councilor Wayfarer?”

Everything happened so fast. Councilor Dundry grabbed hold of my father, and half of the council circled around, weapons drawn.

“Back away or the king dies,” Councilor Wayfarer warned. His eyes dared someone to make a move.

“Father, don’t do this,” Pudge hollered. I heard the panic in his voice. “It’s not too late.”

“Stay out of this, Pudgeons,” Councilor Wayfarer snapped.

With a shout, Archer rushed forward, his sword in hand.

“Stop, Archer, or we’ll kill him.” Councilor Dundry stepped between him and Father.

Archer’s gaze turned black, his muscles tight with eagerness to battle. To protect his king.

My chest tightened. Hag, this was a nightmare. I knew, without a doubt, they’d kill him. Even if we cooperated, I didn’t think they’d let him live. Alarm sounded from the crowd, some of the bigger men coming forward.

“This is your final warning,” I said. “Unhand the king.”

“Or what?” Councilor Wayfarer smirked. “What can you do, Ivy Archer?”

A slow smile spread across my face. “You don’t really want to know.” I grabbed a handful of Honour’s hair, tilting his head closer to me. My blade grazed his neck. “Just one quick swipe and your son is dead. Your choice.”

He wavered. “You won’t kill him.”

“Try me, Councilor Wayfarer. I’ve been mocked, teased, beat up, used, and betrayed by several of the council’s children. My whole life, the council has looked down their noses at me. Do you think I really give two shits about Honour? About you?”

I heard the slight whir of anchors being dropped. I turned just enough to see another ship coming up alongside ours. Dorian appeared from the haze, riding in an elfin boat, accompanied by an army of elfin warriors, who disembarked from several other boats.

My brother was okay. Relief flooded through me at the sight of him. The elves raised their bows, taking aim at the King’s Council.

“If Ivy doesn’t finish off your son, then I will,” Dorian called out, directing the elfin warriors.

In that moment, I saw the look of sheer panic encompass their faces. Amos pushed to the docks, leading a company of armed guards. With his sword raised, he plunged into the circle, taking down two council members. All around, goblins fought, my father caught in the middle.

And me stuck on the ship. Unable to help anyone. Councilor Wayfarer jerked Father to the side, trying to sneak away from the crowd.

“Dorian!” I shouted, pointing toward our father. He glanced up and followed my hand.

He ran, shoving people out of his way, while Archer circled around from the other side. Councilor Wayfarer raised his dagger, and I went still.

But he wasn’t quick enough. Archer leaped at him, knocking him to the ground, and Father rolled out of the way.

“Seize the traitors!” he yelled. Guards swarmed the docks, taking down most of the council.

Thezriel and Roland lowered the wooden plank from the ship and sent prisoners down. Each of them were led to one of two carts headed for the dungeons.

Pudge grabbed Honour and tugged him toward the plank, pulling his gag out.

“Someday, you’ll pay for this.” His eyes focused on me. “I’ll come for you when you least expect it.”

“And I’ll be there to take you down.” Pudge shoved his brother forward.

When my feet hit dry land, I scoured the crowd. Dorian noticed me the same moment I saw him. He pushed through the masses to my side. He grabbed me in his arms, hugging me tight to his chest.

And I cried. He was safe.

“I owe you everything, Ivy. You and Pudge. What you did for me…”

I pulled away, taking his face in my hands. “Don’t ever do anything like that again. I’ve been worried.”

He crushed me against him once more. “I love you, little sister. And I’ll always be here for you.”

Over his shoulder, Sashine came toward us. Her long auburn hair hung to her waist, her violet eyes beaming. Given a thousand years, I could never be as elegant or beautiful as she was. But it was her kindness that had saved us. She and Dorian deserved each other.

“You did good, young one,” she said to me as Dorian released me.

I watched the looks exchanged between the two of them. The air seemed to sizzle, and I smiled.

“Thank you. If it wasn’t for your people, this wouldn’t have been possible.” I touched her arm. Then my focus shifted back to the crowd. “Listen—I’ve got to find Archer. I’ll see you later.”

I left them standing together, Dorian tucking her arm beneath his. Father had made the right decision. Even from here, I saw the attraction, the way they seemed not able to get close enough. They were happy.

“Ivy,” Father called to me, eyes full of pride. He embraced me, rocking me in his arms. “You’ve done well. Your mother would’ve been proud.”

My throat tightened, tears spilling off my lashes. At last, my father could hold me. And it felt good.

“Let’s go home,” he whispered, placing a kiss on my forehead.

“I need some time with Archer first.” I took a step back.

“Take all the time you need tonight. Tomorrow, you’ll be presented as my daughter, and the Choosing Ceremony will convene as a celebration of our good fortune.” Father kissed my cheek, then made his way to Dorian.

“Mighty proud of you, girl.” Amos winked, putting the last of the prisoners in the carts. “Always knew you’d bring honor to our kingdom.”

“Well, I did literally bring Honour back to the kingdom, but not in the same way he left,” I teased.

Amos laughed. “I see the mission has done nothing to get rid of the smart-arse in you.”

“Learned from the best.” My hand clapped him on the back. My mood turned somber. “Captain Bushwell fell in battle. I—I couldn’t bring his body back.”

He touched my arm. “He’d understand, Ivy. I promise we’ll send a small retinue out to bring him home. He’ll have a proper burial. And I tell you, he’d have been proud, Ivy girl. Mighty proud.”

Choked up, I turned away, then finally saw Archer standing with Cook. With my pack in hand, I raced off the dock, tears blinding me.

Archer glanced at me, arms wide open. I dropped my sack on the ground and latched onto him. He squeezed me tight.

“We’ve been worried sick.” He cradled me in his arms.

“I got back a few days ago. I stopped at the house to try and warn you, but you weren’t there. And Gob Benchley was dead—I couldn’t get word to you…”

“We were at the palace. The king called an emergency meeting. But it’s okay. Everything will be okay now.”

“Speak for yerself. She bloody drove me to drinking while she was gone.” Cook came up behind me, crushing my ribs through my spine as she crunched me between her and Archer.

“Come on. Let’s get you home.” Archer kept an arm wrapped around my shoulders.

Home sounded nice.

I came to a halt, glancing into the distance to where Pudge stood by himself. “Wait, what about Pudge?”

He’d lost everything. His whole family was headed to the dungeons. Even his mother, and we hadn’t even known she’d been involved.

“Pudgeons,” Archer hollered. “Get a move on. We’re going home.”

I smiled at Archer. “Thank you.”

Pudge took up his pack and headed our way.

“Don’t ye be thinking that ye can get out of this family just because ye’re a hero now,” Cook said, swatting him in the arse with her basket.

This was why I loved them so much. And no matter what happened tomorrow, they’d always be my family.

Cook gave me a lopsided grin. “Ye can thank me later,” she whispered. “Got lots of dishes that need cleaning.”

Yep, I was definitely back home.