Over the Sea [Dual Trilogy Book 1]

Castor

"Is that really necessary?" Melai asked with a frown. "You haven't done that before."

I eased Kano's unconscious body down to the ground. The snow had begun to melt a few days ago, but I laid a blanket over him. "This is a special occasion," I told her with a grin.

I felt bad for her. Dad only visited Broasau twice a year for the winter and summer solstice festivals, so she had a very limited relationship with him. Unlike me, Melai had spent her whole life in Broasau with Mother and her family, and had never met any of Dad's family. For the last fourteen years, though, I had spent my summer breaks in the very house we were walking up to.

Before I opened the door, I noticed Melai's face scrunched tight. "Relax," I told her. "They're family."

I pushed open the door. We were greeted with a hug from our Dad, his brother, Döm, and his sister, Akena.

"Welcome home, Castor," Akena said as she pulled me into a warm hug.

Our own family calls you Castor? Mel asked.

Yeah, just like the rest of the kingdom.

Mel introduced herself to our grandparents and cousins, who greeted her warmly. "Why haven't you come to visit us before? Has Castor told you we're that terrible?" Grandma asked with a smile.

Mel laughed awkwardly, shrugging. She barely spoke, and though she tried to present herself as happy and excited to meet everyone, I could tell she didn't like all the attention on her.

Our reunion only lasted a few minutes. The knights would grow suspicious if we took too long, and it wouldn't be too long before Kano began waking up. I didn't want to make his experience better, but I didn't want to risk any suspicion after all of Mel's hard work to gain his trust. So, it would be better for all of us if I brought him out of his light-induced slumber before he woke up on his own.