Island of Dragons (Unwanteds #7)(97)

“We have more than enough ships to spare,” said Alex. He shook hands with each of the men. “Thank you for giving me my brother back.”

“He was not ours to give,” said Ishibashi modestly. “He gave himself back to you.”

“With a lot of help,” Alex said.

Ishibashi conceded the point with a toothless grin. “And with Kaylee aboard, I am quite sure we will return Aaron to you somewhat changed again.”

Alex snickered. “I’m excited to see what he learns along the way,” he said. “I wish you all the luck in finding what you are looking for.”

“Thank you,” said Ishibashi. “I do not hold out hope, though it’s true the pirates were selling sea creatures somewhere. Perhaps we will find the hidden land, perhaps not. But it will be a good adventure for us, and one we never thought we’d get to take until you came along.” He adjusted his suitcase and looked eagerly at the ship.

“Someone will check on your island a couple times a week,” Alex promised. “And Henry’s going to take care of your greenhouse plants and your new outdoor garden. He can’t wait.”

“We are most grateful,” said Ishibashi. He leaned in. “Henry is a special young man. He is a grand prize.”

“Yes,” said Alex. “He’s quite something. I’m very proud of him.”

By now a small crowd had gathered to wish the explorers well. The scientists said good-bye to everyone, and then they climbed onto Simber’s back for their first exciting cheetah flight ever.

Aaron and Kaylee hugged people all around, until only Alex was left. Kaylee leaned in and kissed Alex on the cheek. “Thanks for saving me,” she said.

“Thanks for fighting with us,” said Alex. “We needed you. Stay safe. And take care of the scientists for me. And this one,” he said, pointing at Aaron.

“I will.”

“I can take care of myself,” said Aaron.

“Oh, believe me, I’m quite aware,” said Kaylee. She gave Alex a look. “This is either going to be amazing or awful. I can’t quite tell which yet.”

“I wish you two would stop talking about me like I’m not here,” said Aaron.

“It’s only because we care,” Alex replied with a grin.

Kaylee ignored Aaron and said one last good-bye all around, then left Aaron and Alex face-to-face, with their sisters on either side. Aaron knelt down to hug the girls and say good-bye. Then he stood up again. The brothers looked at each other.

“I’ll miss you,” said Alex. He hesitated, then added with a secretive look, “Don’t die.”

Aaron smiled and dropped his gaze. “That’s what Clive used to tell you.”

“Yes,” said Alex.

“I guess it worked.”

“Not for Clive, though.” Alex thought about that for a moment. “I hope that doesn’t mean I’ll kick the bucket before you return.”

“What bucket?”

Alex laughed. “Ask Kaylee.” He reached out to hug his brother. The two embraced, and when Alex tried to pull away, Aaron hung on.

“Thank you,” said Aaron quietly as Simber returned to the shore.

“Thank you,” said Alex. He blinked hard.

When they finally pulled apart, Aaron’s eyes were wet. He flashed a sad half smile, and then pressed his fist to his chest.

Alex did the same. And then Aaron was off.

? ? ? ?

Alex stayed with his sisters. Sky, Lani, Samheed, and Simber rejoined them on the lawn to watch the ship take sail.

“Do you wish you were going?” Alex asked.

“No stinking way,” said Samheed vehemently. “I’m still tired.”

“I’m good right here, thanks,” said Sky.

“No, I guess not,” said Lani with a little sigh. “Though we never found the big mass of land on the pirate map.” She glanced at Alex. “Why do you ask, Alex? Do you wish you were going?”

Alex shook his head. “Not even a little.” He was done with exploring and done with rescuing and done with fighting. He had new challenges to face. “This peace we have here now? This is what I’ve always wanted. I hope it stays this way forever.”

“So do I,” said Simber.

“It will,” said Lani. “At least until the next ship or airplane from Kaylee’s world gets caught in the terrible storms of the Dragon’s Triangle.”

They all thought about that for a while. And while they sat there, Pan’s enormous body moved into view on the water, her five children flying above her in V formation. Arabis the orange led the way to the west, her wings flapping elegantly and her scales sparkling. They weren’t stopping.

“Dat!” cried Fifer, pointing. She jumped to her feet.

“Dat!” echoed Thisbe, and the girls ran down the shoreline, chasing after the dragons.

Pan looked back at Alex, her face full of sorrow, and then she nodded regally. This was her good-bye day too. She would return alone.

Coming from a long walk around the island, Florence and Talon saw the twin girls running toward them. They each caught one and held them up high so the girls could see their precious dragons one last time, and perhaps pretend that they were flying too. Sky watched teary-eyed as the beautiful creatures disappeared in the distance. “I wonder where they’re going?” she said.