Save the Sea (Saved by Pirates #3)(16)

“We will meet again, but not for a long time as you have more pressing matters,” he says with a look of worry flashing over his face. He walks off before I can say anything.

“The changed ones here are weird,” Everly says, nudging my shoulder and making me laugh.

“I think they all speak to gods, and they have powers. That would make anybody weird,” I say and turn to Everly. “What was it you wanted to tell me?” I ask as I suddenly feel worry, anger, and upset through my bond. I can’t say anything, and I have no idea who it came from. I try to feel for the bond, but Everly distracts me, and it goes away.

“Not here, but my room isn’t far,” she says, nodding her head to the left. We walk through the trees and plants, and as we come out on the other side, I see Chaz looking around. He sees me and Everly and comes running over. The closer he gets, the more worried I become.

“Laura isn’t well, and a changed one who can heal is trying to help her now. Hunter and Ryland need you at their side,” Chaz says, keeping his voice quiet, so the people walking around us can’t hear.

“What do you mean she isn’t well? What happened?”

“Laura is old, and hasn’t been well since we escaped the castle. I don’t know how to explain it, but it was like her soul was crushed. Her body started to give up not long after. We have kept on her bed rest, which she never argued with, and today she is much worse. I fear there is nothing anyone can do now,” Chaz tells me. I look over at Everly, who nods.

“Go, what I have to talk to you about can wait,” she says, and I slide my hand into Chaz’s, letting him lead me away.





8





Chapter Eight





Cassandra





“Ry,” I say gently, placing my hand on his shoulder as I step into the room. Chaz closes the door behind me. He turns, letting me into the room where Hunter is sitting on a chair next to a small bed. Laura lies on the bed looking pale and much older than I remember from when I saw her last. Master Light has his hand on the top of Laura’s head, and it’s glowing a white colour like the light coming from his eyes. I don’t say anything while we wait, just stay at Ryland’s side. He just stands deathly still, watching, waiting. Master Light finally pulls his hand away, patting Laura’s arm and stepping away.

“Can I speak to both of you outside?” Master Light asks Hunter and Ryland carefully.

“I’m not a child. Tell me what you have figured out,” Laura coughs out.

“Nothing you are not aware of, Lauraina. You must be in great pain, and you have hidden it so well,” Master Light says quietly to her, and she turns away.

“Little bird, will you stay with her while we walk Master Light out?” Hunter asks me, and I nod, walking over and sitting in the seat he vacates. He walks out of the room with Ryland and Master Light following.

“Riah? Is that you?” Laura asks, reaching for my hand and rolling her head to look at me.

“No, Laura, it’s Cassandra,” I reply lightly, letting her grab my hand tightly, and she locks her blue eyes with mine.

“It’s nearly time, and I wish Riah was here,” she says, her voice so full of despair that it is heartbreaking. “I wish my little girl was here.” Her words are spoken so softly, so full of a longing for a child that is a child no more.

“At least in death, I will know my grandsons are safe. That if the king burns the world away, their souls will always be chosen,” she wheezes out.

“You should rest, Laura,” I comment.

“They say my daughter is mad, that she speaks to ghosts all the time,” Laura shakes her head, “I say that she isn’t.”

“Ghosts? The souls of her chosen?” I ask, replaying what she has just said about Hunter and Ryland’s souls.

“Even if someone burns away the body of a chosen . . . chosen never leave their changed one,” she whispers, “or I believe their souls never do. Not until their changed one is dead. Soul mates cannot be parted, remember that, Cassandra.” She coughs, blood dripping out from the corner of her lips. I reach for a cloth that is off to the side, wiping the blood away. She grabs my arm, with a strength I didn’t think she had left and holds on tight, pulling me down, so our faces are close together.

“Give my daughter peace,” she says, letting go as the door is opened and falling back on the bed. Her eyes close, almost like she never moved. I feel Ryland and Hunter come to my sides, both placing a hand on her. A wave of grief slams into me through the bond and overwhelms me, making tears fall from my eyes. I’m not sure which brother the grief is coming from, but it’s so sad either way. I just want to hold them both and tell them she isn’t in pain anymore.

“She is gone, isn’t she?” Hunter is the first to speak after a long time.

“She is with the sea god, at peace finally,” I say the only words that feel right. Ryland walks out of the room, slamming the door, and I move to follow when Hunter grabs my arm.

“Let him be. He needs to be alone, to settle his thoughts. Trust me, little bird,” he assures me. Releasing me, Hunter leans down to kiss Laura's forehead lightly.

“I never had a mother, and I never told you, but I was lucky to have you. I wouldn't have survived without your guidance and love. You rest now. Your fight is over, but I will finish it while you rest in peace,” he says, standing up straight and walking out of the room with me following him. I hold a hand up to Chaz and Jacob outside and make it clear with one look that they aren't to follow us right now.