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“We didn’t anticipate it would be the last time we saw you. Anyhow, since you insisted on going, Father instructed you to explore new trade routes between vampiric clans in the Americas and England, as was your role as the eldest son. We sent word that our father had died and that we needed you to return and take your place as king. We received your owl saying you’d be home as fast as the weather would allow, but we never heard from you again, or from anyone else aboard the Draque. We sent out search parties for decades to every corner of the earth, but there was never any trace of you or the ship. Not knowing where you were, alive or dead, was the worst part. Thank you, Aerin, you’ve no idea how much peace of mind you brought to our family. We can’t thank you enough.” Josiah raised a glass to her.

Gideon thought of Marissa, and as much as he understood her survivor’s guilt, her fear of returning to the clan, to see the consequences of leaving her family in the dark, broke his heart. But he left her out of it. He didn’t want her to suffer any more than she already had over the years, and bringing up her failure to report the shipwreck would only further everyone’s pain.

“I only wish I’d found him sooner. I’m sorry for the years you had to wait without word. I know how hard it is to lose family. It’s heartbreak I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” Aerin said, topping up his glass of wine.

“My family and I will never be able to repay this debt,” Josiah told her, and she could hear the sadness in his voice.

“If the storm hadn’t kicked up so much sand, I’d never have found him,” Aerin said, shifting in her seat under the weight of his praise. “I look for antiques, and⁠—”

“And you found a king,” Josiah finished for her.

“I was never king,” Gideon said, but she knew what Josiah meant.

“Next in line.”

“I doubt our sister would like you bringing that up, given that she has been queen ever since my disappearance,” Gideon said behind his glass.

“Would she not be happy that you were found alive?” Aerin asked, looking between the brothers.

“She would be, she is,” Josiah affirmed. “Though the Gideon I knew before he went into the sea was a little rougher around the edges. I’m not sure he is king material anymore. He’s been living in this cozy little town for a little too long,” Josiah teased.

“I was far too adventurous to sit on some dusty throne. I’m sure our sister is doing an excellent job in my place.” He wanted to reunite and see his family, but the thought of returning home to rule a clan without his memories filled him with dread. He started to understand his desire to leave the first time.

“We all want you to come home. Our mother is preparing a grand celebration that will last until Christmas. We can sort out the politics once you’re home and settled where you belong,” Josiah said, smacking his brother on the knee.

Home? He’d spent so long trying to remember home, but now, when he pictured it, all he saw was Aerin, and that damn turtle who liked to nip at his heels when he wanted more seaweed.

“I don’t think I’m coming back.”

Josiah and Aerin stared at him blankly.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand. You don’t plan on returning with me? Or, you don’t plan on returning at all?”

“As you said, our sister has been ruling successfully, and everyone thinks I’m dead. I’ve been gone for over two hundred years. I’m not the same person who went into the sea. Can I have some time to think about it? I want to talk to Aerin.”

“As our leader, I’ll respect whatever you decide, but as your brother, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be disappointed to lose you again.”

“You won’t lose me. You know exactly where I am, and you can come and visit whenever you like. Our mother and sister are welcome anytime.”

“Gideon, I don’t think you’ve had time to process all this properly,” Aerin said. He didn’t mean to blindside her with plans to stay since they hadn’t even discussed their own future, but he didn’t want his brother to get his hopes up.

“Thank you for having me for dinner,” Josiah said, abruptly getting up from the table. “I should get going if I’m to make it back to the inn before sunrise.”

“Gideon, you should walk your brother back to the inn, take some time to talk,” Aerin said, kicking him under the table.

“That’s not necessary,” Josiah said gruffly, heading for the hallway.

“I insist,” Aerin said, shoving Gideon after him. The more determined she was, the stronger she got. Is she trying to get rid of me because I dumped it on her that I want to stay with her, or because she wants to give us time to talk privately? He guessed from her waving at him to follow his brother out of the kitchen that it was a bit of both.

“There’s no point in arguing with her,” Gideon said, opening the door for his brother.

“I might not make it back before sunrise?” he reasoned, looking back at Aerin.

“Then you’ll just have to spend some much-needed time together at the inn,” Aerin said, not giving either of them a way out.

“She isn’t very subtle,” Josiah said when she closed the door on them.

“Not at all. But her heart’s in the right place. She lost her own family to the sea, and I think this is her way of making us work things out.”