To clarify the timeline:

1) Dee and Vadnar (characters from The King) ruled Zolan 700 years ago (Dee was teleported to the past. That's why she was the first human queen of Zolan)

2) 500 years ago (200 years after Dee and Vadnar), their descendants were overthrown and lost rule of Zolan. They moved to the island and called it Terra. The hybrid population of human-Zolans has lived on the island since then. Thousands of people live on the island

3) On the present day, A'ria meets Kill'an (The Captain, Zolan Book 2), Joan meets War (The General, Zolan Book 1), and Elystia leaves the island. Her story starts now

🌊 ELYSTIA 🌊

After the gut-wrenching exchange with my mom and grandmother, we walked home in silence. I gripped my bow the entire time, needing something to anchor me.

I might not have my family once I step off this island, but I will always have my bow.

I now sit on the bunk bed I share with my sister. I've always had the upper bunk since Exara fears heights. Many nights, as I layed on my bed and stared at the dark brown ceiling, I wondered what it would be like to lay on an open field and stare at new stars.

I've stared at the same stars my entire life. Now I have a chance to explore a new sky, but at the cost of my heaven. I would lose my family.

My mom is in the kitchen, cooking my favorite meal. Grandma and Exara are in the backyard. I can hear Exara's sobs from here. These walls have always been thin.

My mother suggested throwing me a goodbye festival, so the village could send me off with good wishes. I quickly declined. I don't want to celebrate leaving my family.

I lay in bed and rub my forehead. My head is throbbing with a headache. I have seven days left on the island. Seven. And then I'll set foot on a boat for the first time in my life. My mother never allowed me to fish. She could always tell I have a curious streak and feared that I would take off across the sea.

How far we've come.

For far I'll go.

An hour later, my family and I shared a meal. My mom's sweet soup warms my belly, and I take my time savoring it. We talk about the village's new blood and the food harvest—anything except for my trip off the island. We try to pretend it's just another night, but it's not. It can't be when my days are numbered.

— * —

The village members stared at me strangely over the next seven days. Most people wouldn't even meet my eye. They're ashamed of me for abandoning our sacred land. Human-Zolan hybrids have thrived here for centuries. The last person that stepped off this island left two decades ago.

I spent my days hunting with Exara. Bringing fresh meat to the table every night, because the guilt of leaving my family eats me alive.

I know Exara is an excellent hunter and will thrive even with her impaired vision. She would throttle me if I even suggested that she can't support the family without me.

This is my last day hunting.

The ship is ready at the shore. It has two white sails and is large enough for thirty people. It never carries more than five elders across the dark sea. It never carries twenty-something year olds willing to give up everything they know for a passage across to the unknown.

We're setting sail at night. The elders are superstitious and don't sail during the day.

My bags are ready. I packed my world in two large sacks. The string of my bow has been repaired, and my arrows sharpened. I have dried jerky and herbs. Everything I need for the first couple of days. I don't have a great plan, but I'll survive as long as I have my bow.

"Come on, let's get these home," Exara says.

She picks up our bounty and ties two of the hides to her belt. I do the same. We walk home together, and I reach out to grasp her hand. She's surprised, but entwines her fingers with mine.

"I'm going to miss you," I whisper.

"Don't be dramatic. We will write to each other. I'll have the elders pick your letters every time they go searching for fresh blood. Meet them every anniversary."

I shake my head. "You know they don't allow that."

"Just be there with your letter! I told you I'll take care of it."

Her hand tightens on mine. I glance at her expression, and it's stern. She has no more tears to give.

My heart aches, but I'm done crying, too. I need to be strong for my family in these last hours.

At home, Exara and I help skin and clean the meat. Mom won't stop crying. I'm re-considering my decision.

Exara notices my hesitation. As soon as we're done eating dinner, she drags my bags to the door. "Come on, sister. You have a boat to catch."

My mom picks my bow and hands it to me with a tearful smile. Grandma is outside, burning herbs and praying to the gods for my protection.

After so many years, the time has come.

We leave our small home, my lantern lighting the way. The village is silent tonight. Most people are probably home, whispering about their disappointment in me.

We walk down to the boat, where two elders await. They have crossed the sea many times and always returned with fresh blood for the island. Tonight, they will return empty-handed.

"You came," Ky'nara says. She's a healer. Delivered me when I was born. She was there when our father passed, and bought me my first bow.

She's usually smiling, accentuating her wrinkles. But tonight, her expression is as cold as the sea that roars a few feet from us.

"Yes," I reply, my bow creaking under my tight grip.

"You know you cannot return, correct? This is a one-way trip."

The knowledge has tortured me for years.

"Yes," I repeat, quieter this time.

"Then say your goodbyes and get on the boat."

I nod and turn around to face my family.

Grandmother grips the hand that squeezes my bow. "You are a queen. Don't forget."

She keeps telling me this. I'm not sure what it means. The first and only human queen of Zolan ruled centuries ago. We are all her descendants, but I never considered myself royalty.

I'm just a hunter. A girl too curious for her own good.

"Don't settle for anything less than a king," my mom adds.

I shake my head. "I seek adventure, not a husband."

"Oh, honey, but plenty of men will find you even if you're not looking for them. You're special."

Exara chuckles. "If you keep filling her head with compliments, she won't need the boat to cross the sea anymore. She'll float across."

I laugh with her.

"We must get going soon," an elder says from behind me.

I look at the terrifying dark sea. I'm unable to see the horizon that I admire during the day.

"I'm ready."