Had her father gone mad? Fiona didn't know what to do. Kiana was on her knees shivering and her father was shouting at nothing. As the king took a step into the darkness, Fiona bolted forward, taking his arm.

"What's wrong? Who are you talking to?"

Wet tears escaped the golden silk and Eirik grabbed his daughter's shoulders, "Matius, Fiona. It was him, I'm sure of it. He said he's coming."

Matius. Fiona blinked. Could it really be?

"You mean..." Her own eyes filled. Was it really over? Matius, Jayln, and Fenrin—was she going to make it back to them? It was almost too good to be true.

"Did you hear that, Kiana, they're coming, we're safe now. We can—"

Kiana looked up and gave her a pained smile. "Good. It worked," she said and stood before dashing forward past Fiona.

Fiona's father heard Kiana run and pushed his daughter. "Catch her, quickly."

Confused, Fiona ran after her friend. There was commotion on the deck as Kiana appeared for the second time, bursting out and staring about wildly. She spotted the dinghy and ran for it. A sailor moved to stop her and a knife seemed to materialize in her hand, flashing dangerously. The knife and the crazed look in Kiana's eyes froze the sailor in his tracks.

"Kiana, stop!" Fiona shouted and soon the sailor's attention turned to Fiona and some moved to grab her. She drew her sword, side-stepping the first man.

There were a series of whistles and Fiona pointed her blade at the next sailor in her way. He stepped aside and she rushed forward. "Kiana!"

Kiana leapt into the small boat, her shaking hands attempting to undo the knots holding it in place.

"What is going on here?" The captain emerged from her cabin and surveying the deck shouted, "Stop that girl, that boat isn't going anywhere."

Less confused with an order given, the sailors rushed Kiana. She hacked at the knots with her knife but soon she was dragged from the boat. A man got behind Fiona and wrapped his arms under hers, holding her up. She cut his arm with her sword and he cursed, tossing her down and kicking her in the head.

Her vision flashed red and black but she scrambled to her feet, raising her weapon and trying to focus. A different sailor had his own sword and he charged her. Years of muscle memory served her well and she easily flicked the sword free from his grasp. She glanced back towards the dinghy and Kiana being thrown over a sailor's shoulder, blood dripping from her temple.

"Let her go!" Fiona screamed, charging towards the sailor holding Kiana.

A woman with two thin blades stepped between them and Fiona danced past her, deflecting her blades before pointing her sword at the larger man. "Put her down."

The man glanced at his crewmate who charged with her swords again. Fiona parried and grabbed one of the woman's arms. She pulled her forward and her sword sank into the woman's gut. Fiona spun back around and the man slowly put Kiana on the ground where she lay unmoving.

"Captain Corinth, tell your crew to stand down. That's an order."

"Who dares give me—" As the captain spoke, the king slowly made his careful way up the stairs, his crown still bright in the moonlight.

"By order of the King of Valhym, stand down!" Eirik shouted and the sailors dropped their weapons.

Fiona rushed forward, her sword clattering to the deck as she checked Kiana. She sobbed with relief as Kiana's pulse beat strongly under her fingers and held her sleeve to Kiana's temple to stop the bleeding. It wasn't a big cut. She was fine. Kiana was fine.

As the king wove some story to the captain, Fiona held Kiana's hand, the minutes ticking by anxiously until Kiana's long soft lashes fluttered and Fiona gave her a small smile.

Kiana's mouth opened and she breathed, "Am I dead?"

Fiona laughed, tears falling onto Kiana's umber skin. "No, you're alive. I told you I wouldn't let anything happen to you, remember?"

Kiana's eyes widened as she did remember something and she struggled to push Fiona off her. "You have to let me go."

"No, Kiana, what are you talking about? You heard my father, we did it. It's over. We did it. Why are you trying to leave?"

"I can't be here. Please, Fiona let me go."

"No!" Fiona held Kiana's shoulders tightly, forcing her to look her in the eye. "You said we'd do this together. I thought...I thought you wanted to do this together."

Kaina laughed desperately. "It doesn't matter what I want."

"Of course it does!" Fiona searched for answers on her face. Trying to understand why Kiana would try to leave her. Kind, clever, beautiful Kiana.

Fiona slumped forward, her forehead resting on Kiana's. "Do you really want to leave me?"

Kiana sucked in a breath and her head tilted until their lips met. Her arms curled around Fiona's neck and she kissed her desperately.

"Of course not," she whispered, "no matter what happens know that I never want to leave you. I love you, Fiona."

"I don't understand," Fiona mumbled into the small space between them.

"I know." Kiana's forehead rested against hers again and she found Fiona's hand and kissed her fingertips. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

There was an earsplitting crack and Fiona leaned over Kiana, shielding her as a wave of force crossed the ship.

"Fiona!" The voice was harsh, rumbling, and oh-so-familiar.

"Uncle Fenrin?" Fiona turned and her uncle was there, sword in hand.

His grey eyes found her blue ones and the sword fell and he ran over, sweeping her into his large arms.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let her take you. Can you forgive me?" His voice cracked in her ear.

Fiona pulled her arms out from his and threw them around his neck, her heart ready to burst. "Of course I forgive you, Uncle! You came back for me. You're really here."

It took a few moments for Fiona to realize her uncle hadn't come alone. Matius was there, his face grim and there was also a tall Azir woman she didn't recognize.

"Quickly, we don't have much time," the woman said and Matius moved to take the king's arm, guiding him towards the glowing circle around the woman.

"Wait," Fiona cried, pulling away from her uncle who half dragged her towards the portal.

"We'll be right behind you," Matius said encouragingly.

"But Kiana..."

At that Eirik added he added, "Go on, we'll both be right behind you, I promise."

Fiona didn't have much time to argue before Fenrin practically threw her through the portal.