I touched down on dry, sun-warmed sand just above the tideline. I hadn’t particularly seen structures from the air, but I expected something. Behind me, my tail tip traced furrows.

  Nelys must have seen me looking around, because they laughed. “Expecting a welcoming party?”

  “...a little. Or maybe a structure or markings or a dock or something. You’re certain we’re at the right atoll?”

  They nodded. “What would we build with up here? If we did, storms would destroy anything we built—and the lagoon’s more or less a farm.”

  “A farm you recognize?”

  “Yes, Renna.” They let out a long, slow breath, then drew in again. “It’s… good to be back. Almost back. Mostly back.”

  “Are your homes in deeper water then?” I asked, still confused.

  Nelys shrugged. “Yes and no. There’s another shallow area near here, one that doesn’t quite surface. But I figured you’d be better off here than circling in the air. Plus the few humans who know about us don’t know where that is, either.”

  “And it’s best if I also don’t know.”

  After a hesitant moment, they nodded and gestured down at themself. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s that they don’t.”

  “I get it. So, where are they? You said they’d notice us flying in.”

  “Definitely! But they probably didn’t recognize me, and I’d bet they’re not keen on meeting you.”

  “I could’ve looked human!” I protested. “This is why I asked!”

  Nelys shook their head. “They—we—value honesty. Plus, a human with that kind of magic landing on them would almost certainly precede an invasion. You and I both know what humans—and elves—do to foreigners.”

  I winced. “Right. And, uh, elves?” It might have been our recent stay on the island, but I thought back to depictions of elven invaders I’d seen on my island.

  “Yep! Legend has it we once had a big city around an island, but there was a great calamity and it was lost. Elves were involved somewhere—maybe after, maybe during.”

  “Do… you know which?”

  “Nope!” They shrugged, holding their palms up. “I never really paid a lot of attention to my history tutor—unless they were talking about surface stuff.”

  I blinked. “Oh.”

  “Kinda wish I had now, though. But! I can do that now—you think it’s relevant?”

  “Maybe?” I shrugged, rolling both sets of shoulders. “There was a previous Sovereign of Wrath who had an island community, at least I think they were a Sovereign of Wrath. Maybe I just inherited their wrath at the injustice that befell them or something poetic like that? Demon hierarchy being tied to emotions makes for some… fitting is a kind word I guess situations.

  “A-anyway! Maybe they were the same elves? And maybe they were also the same ones that influenced Navanaea? Either way, this all dates—I think—to the lost era. So… yeah. If you could find something and write to me?”

  “Sure! Oh, wait… uhh, I don’t know?” Nelys tilted their head.

  “You don’t know?”

  “How would I get a letter from here to you?”

  “Port Princely’s too far?”

  They nodded. “It’s not like there’s signs, and I can’t get a bird’s eye view.”

  “Then… then I’ll just have to come visit!” I put two hands on my hips and leaned forward. “Maybe next summer. Or that’s probably too optimistic, but it’s only a day or two of flying to get here, and I’ve done it once already. When things calm down, I’ll just come land on this island.”

  “That… yeah that could work!” They looked out over the lagoon again. “Maybe they really are afraid of you. I’d have thought we’d see something by now.”

  A pit formed in my stomach. “You don’t think…”

  They shook their head. “No. The oyster beds were managed recently, look.”

  I followed their finger and saw what looked to me like a bunch of tidal rocks near the edge of the water.

  “Check the area around them. No seaweed, dug out so they’re not silted in.”

  “Okay, so they’re here. But I’m too scary?” I asked with more certainty than I felt.

  Despite that, Nelys frowned, biting their lower lip. “I should go check.”

  “I’ll—”

  “No, stay here.”

  I snapped my mouth shut and nodded.

  “Thanks. This… I think something’s up, but it’s not catastrophic and I’m strong now.” They pulled out their blue coral necklace and clutched it between steady fingers.

  “You don’t have to rationalize it, Nelys,” I said softly. “I trust you—but if this were above water I’d follow you whether you liked it or not.”

  A single chirp of a giggle escaped before Nelys nodded sharply. “Wait here then. I know we’re on a tight schedule, so I’ll be back before dusk.” They turned and took a step toward the water, skirt curling anxiously as blue rings flashed in the sunlight.

  “If I feel you’re dying through our contract again, I’m going to come find you,” I warned, calling out after them.

  Nelys didn’t reply, and I watched them slip into the lagoon quietly, quickly disappearing amongst the coral. For a moment longer, I stared at the half-exposed oyster bed, then I turned and trudged out of the sand into the tall, windblown grass.

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  With a huff, I plopped down under one of the few stunted, windblown trees and wrapped my tail up around my feet. Looking out across the lagoon, and to the ocean beyond that curved away unto the horizon, I felt small in a way I hadn’t for… about a year.

  For just a few moments, I was a scared, newly reborn demon sitting at the edge of a very different bay and wondering what was out there. Worried I’d lost my sister, or myself. Worried I wasn’t even on the same world.

  But as I stared down at my conjured boots, I knew that I wasn’t. This island wasn’t even so isolated anymore. And I was strong enough that the fear of what I could do often won out against the fear of what could be done to me.

  Nelys was fine so far, and they were competent. So there was no reason for me to sit in a scared, huddled lump under a tree amongst the itchy grass and insects that didn’t fear me nearly enough to avoid crawling over my tail.

  The first order of business was an outfit. I was no Elena the tailor, but I had magic and inspiration. A few embarrassing attempts later, and I’d managed a magicked sundress. Pure white, no spikes, and only the smallest hints of crimson flames from the hem and shoulder straps. When I looked down, my Sovereign gem gleamed.

  No shoes, no gloves or pauldrons, and no conjured weapon. The only accessory I needed now was a floppy hat, white with a crimson band and holes for my horns to stick through. I hadn’t ever burned one, or even worn one, so it took more than a few attempts until I felt satisfied. The way my horns held it in place when the wind kicked up brought a smile to my face.

  I bet Sey would love this. Maybe with the neckline a little lower.

  I didn’t give in to the urge—but I really wanted to.

  The outfit wasn’t practical, and it probably looked a little odd on someone with my physique. But if the Sovereign of Wrath wanted to wear a sundress for a walk on the beach, then damnit she was going to! Sand between my toes, claws digging in, and tail swaying behind, I walked along the beach, looking out into the water. Were it not some sort of faux pas, I’d dive in, maybe catch a fish.

  What really happened on my island anyway? If I could answer that, would it give me a clue about defeating Envy? I kicked some sand and stopped to stare in the direction of home.

  How long could I look for answers? Once I got back, I couldn’t just leave again—the Church would be coming after me soon, Duke Ludwig Reynard had tried to claim my land and would doubtless try to reveal what I was in a way I didn’t want. And all of that of course paled in comparison to the threat of Envy and Avarice.

  Would one quick trip to the depths of my island really be remiss? I wanted a durian anyway though I had no idea if they were in season. I briefly registered some anger from Nelys, but they weren’t hurt and it was easy to guess all sorts of reasons for the short burst.

  Most of them involved others, which was a relief more than anything else.

  I’d tracked my dates back just enough to realize that I might be able to get a treat for myself and maybe bring a few more back when my periphery caught movement from the water. Reflexively, I tensed, only to relax when Nelys popped up with a smile and a wave.

  I waved back and cupped my hands to shout, “Everything alright?”

  They threw back a yes gesture, and I saw another figure rise up out of the water with them. I’d be lying if I said I could be certain of familial reference, but I assumed as much. Like Nelys before their transformation, they moved on eight large tentacles, a little awkward out of the water. Dark brown eyes studied me from a position of wariness, close to the water. It wasn’t until Nelys stood up next to them that I realized they were a good deal larger.

  “Hi!” I offered in Turquoiser, “I’m Renna!” I wasn’t sure if I should stick out a hand—or which hand—but I did anyway.

  They looked at me, then at my teeth.

  Nelys stepped in front, waving a hand in front of them. They glared, then chastised Nelys. Even if I couldn’t understand their language, the body language, with the way their “hair” curled up tight, was more than enough.

  I should have known they wouldn’t speak Turquoiser, but it’d been a long few months since I’d encountered a language barrier. I could speak Ordian and Cavenish close to fluently, Turquoiser passably, and I could scrape by with the basics in Navvish. I even knew a few Raavian swear words if Taava were to be believed.

  But it made sense I wouldn’t speak Cecaelia.

  So Nelys translated for me. With generous interpretation, I was sure.

  “This is my older brother, Naulys. And I’ve told him who and what you are! Also, cute dress, but the hat’s a little big.”

  I flushed red at the earnest compliment, and earned a giggle in response. “It was my first try with the hat, okay!”

  Naulys looked between me and Nelys and I felt a spike of anger when he spoke. Nelys fired right back and I stood there, more or less watching for about a minute until Nelys turned to me again.

  “He’s angry at what’s been done to me, and suspicious of you.”

  “I get the suspicious part, but why the anger—can I help at all?”

  Nelys shook their head and smiled widely. “Nah, he’s just stubborn. Maybe even a little jealous that I have lightning magic now. Anyway!” They dashed up and pulled me into a side hug.

  Their brother twitched and half lunged for them, but stopped when I did nothing more than drape an arm over Nelys.

  More words I couldn’t understand, then Nelys looked back up at me. “They want to know what you want from us.”

  “I, uh… nothing? I want you to be taken care of and accepted.”

  That answer seemed to mollify the brother, and I figured now was as good a time as any to ask a question of my own. “If you don’t mind, Nelys, what’s going on? And, are your parents…”

  “My parents are fine—we hope. There’s been a few demons attacking lately, and some unusual aggression from deep dwellers.”

  “Envy cannot possibly be working up here too, right? Even though they can move so quickly…” I trailed off and bit back a swear in Raavian. If I could fly here in a day, Envy could too. And if their plan extends up here…

  What the heck are they even trying to do? Seriously? Are they just trying to antagonize the whole damn world and cause mass chaos?

  Wait… is that actually it?

  Why?

  “You alright, Renna?”

  “Yeah, just wondering why Envy or Avarice would be stirring up trouble here. I doubt it’s Ov, and the others are all accounted for, myself included. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  Nelys shook their head. “Nope, and it’s fine. Magic is pretty common for us, and it’s nothing too serious. Besides, it’s the family job to go out and protect the royals.”

  “It is? You’re nobility of some sort, or…”

  “Some sort,” they answered with a shrug. “It’s complicated and I don’t know the words in any other language. Think like if paladins were nobility and not religious kinda like a baron or what you are but not really at all?”

  “Yeah alright, I don’t quite get that.”

  Nelys giggled. “Didn’t expect you to! Point is that me up and leaving for a while isn’t unheard of, except my brother here thinks his position’s going to get jeopardized because I got stronger.”

  I crossed my upper arms. “You did cheat a little.”

  They shoved a finger into my stomach. “Nuh uh, I charmed you fair and square!”

  I snorted. “True, I suppose. So, uh… is this it, then?”

  Nelys opened their mouth, then shut it and looked down at their feet. “Yeah… for now, anyway. I’m gonna miss you, Renna.”

  I pulled them up into a four armed hug. “And I’m gonna miss you too, Nelys! Promise me you’ll be the best… whatever the role is, okay? Maybe you won’t get there before I visit, but someday.”

  They laughed and struggled out of my grasp with a reassuring wave to their brother. “Maybe! Or maybe I’ll get wanderlust again—there’s a lot of the world I haven’t seen, and I have a certain friend who can fly me there.”

  “Any time you’d like, if it doesn’t leave my friends and family vulnerable.”

  “Of course!”

  “Goodbye Nelys.” I patted them on the head and they pouted. “For now. See you in half a year-ish?”

  They fixed their hair and took my hand in both of theirs. “See you in half a year-ish, Renna! Sorry for bailing out on you—”

  “Don’t be!” I cut them off with another pat to the head—can’t grab all my arms! “I promised you I’d take you home and it got put off and put off. Be safe, alright?”

  “I will, I will.” They let go with one hand, then gave a squeeze with the other before letting it drop too.

  I waved as I watched them and their brother slip back into the water. Right as I was about to turn around, Nelys popped back up.

  “Oh, and thank you—for everything!” They waved one hand overhead in an arc, spraying a line of glittering droplets into the air. “And Naulys wants to thank you too—I probably should have mentioned that. At least that’s how I’m gonna interpret it! Don’t get worse at cards or dice, okay?”

  “I won’t! I promise!” I shouted back.

  With a smile, they dove under the water and disappeared out into the lagoon.

  I wasn’t crying—the sun was just bright. Bright all the way up into the sky until the atoll was just a thin crescent in an ocean of blue.

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