"Mom..." Felix muttered, trying to sound firm but ending up more like a pleading child. "You’re making embarrassed already, and I didn’t even leave yet."
Aine sat up suddenly, scooting close to ruffle his carefully combed hair until it stuck up like a dandelion. "Alright, alright—I won’t co. But only if you promise sothing."
Felix narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What?"
"Bring back a shiny souvenir," Aine said with a grin, her tone playful but her eyes gleaming with foxlike mischief. "Sothing rare. Sothing mysterious. Sothing that proves my son thought of his beautiful mother even on a school trip."
Felix groaned again, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Fine. I’ll bring you sothing shiny. But please, don’t show up at the trip pretending to be a kid!"
Aine gasped, holding her face in mock horror. "? Pretend to be a child? How dare you accuse your poor mother of such a thing!"
Felix laughed despite himself. "Because you would!"
****
anwhile, Kelpie was fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve, his pale cheeks flushed. He really wanted to go on the trip, but his heart raced at the thought of asking permission.
"What’s wrong with you, little tide?" Corvus finally asked, noticing his son’s hesitant expression. His voice was deep and calm, like the steady pull of the ocean tide.
Kelpie bit his lip, his fingers twisting together nervously. "Dad..." he started softly, almost whispering. His wide blue eyes flickered up at Corvus, then quickly down again.
Corvus arched a brow, waiting patiently.
Finally, Kelpie drew in a deep breath, the words spilling out in a rush. "Dad, there’s going to be a school trip and everyone’s going and I—I want to go too!" His cheeks burned red as soon as the words left his mouth.
Corvus leaned back in his chair, studying his son in silence, his dark stormy eyes making Kelpie squirm even more. "A trip, hm?" he said slowly. "Where to?"
Kelpie shook his head quickly. "Teacher didn’t say yet! But—but it’s safe! And ...and—and all my classmates will be there! Rocky, Boo... and Luna... and and umm..Felix..." His voice grew smaller with every na. "I don’t want to be the only one not going."
Corvus’s lips pressed into a thin line. He folded his arms across his chest. "You’re still young, Kelpie. The world outside isn’t all soft tides and calm waves. What if sothing happens?"
Kelpie’s shoulders slumped, and he stared at the floor. "But Dad... if I never go anywhere, I’ll always be the quiet one. I’ll always stay behind. I want to try... please..." His voice cracked with both fear and determination.
For a long mont, Corvus said nothing. Then he sighed, running a hand over his face. "You really want this?"
Kelpie nodded quickly, eyes wide with hope.
"Alright." Corvus leaned down and gently ruffled his son’s hair, his stern face softening just a little. "You may go. But only because I trust your teacher and principal. And you’ll promise to stay close to her at all tis. Understand?"
Kelpie’s eyes lit up like the surface of water touched by sunlight. "Yes, Dad! I promise!!" He hugged Corvus tightly, his small arms squeezing with all his strength.
Corvus allowed a faint smile. "Little tide... always so gentle. Go then. Make so mories. But rember—you are my son. No wave or storm should ever break you."
Kelpie nodded furiously, clutching his father’s words close to his heart.
****
Rocky twisted his little fingers together, his round eyes blinking up at his mother anxiously. "Mom! Our school is taking us on a trip—can I go??" His voice was soft, but his whole body leaned forward with hope.
Queen Granite, tall and regal in her stone-colored gown, folded her arms. Her voice was steady, like the weight of mountains. "But Rocky... you’re even scared of thunder. What if sothing happens? If you’re left alone, you’ll turn into a rock again. And where will we find you?"
Rocky’s throat tightened, and his cheeks puffed nervously. "But Mom..." he whispered, his words tumbling out quickly, "I really want to go! Everyone’s going! Please, Mom... Kelpie will take care of !!" He clutched his hands to his chest as if the promise itself could protect him.
Queen Granite’s sharp gaze softened just slightly, though her lips remained firm. "Kelpie? You trust him that much?"
Rocky nodded furiously, his small curls bouncing. "Yes! He’s my best friend... he always helps . And I’ll stay close to him, I promise! Please, Mom... I’ll be brave this ti!" His eyes shimred, a mixture of fear and determination.
For a long mont, the queen studied her son. Finally, she let out a slow sigh, resting a hand on his tiny head. "Little pebble... always so timid, yet you wish to roll far." Her voice dropped, warm despite her serious face. "Alright. You may go. But you must stay with Kelpie and listen to your teacher at all tis. If I hear you turned into a rock in the middle of nowhere..."
"I won’t!!" Rocky promised quickly, his face breaking into a wide grin. "Thank you, Mom!!"
He ran to his room and hugged his box of colorful pebbles, heart thudding with excitent.
****
Late that night, after finishing her lesson notes, Alina checked her inbox one last ti before bed. Her heart skipped when she saw the sender—Principal Dante Nightshade. The subject line was simple: Trip Details.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she clicked it open. The mont her eyes fell on the first line, her lips curved into a glowing smile. The date had been set—exactly one week later.
"Oh my god..." she whispered under her breath, her pulse racing with excitent.
Attached was a file. She clicked it, and the screen filled with breathtaking images. The island stretched wide, frad by clear turquoise waters that shimred like glass beneath the moonlight. Towering cliffs jutted dramatically into the horizon, their edges crowned with vibrant green trees. White sand beaches curved in long crescents, soft and unbroken as far as the eye could see.
Tiny bursts of color showed wildflowers blooming even near the rocky paths, and in one picture a sparkling waterfall poured into a crystal pool that glowed. There were caves too, carved into the cliffsides, mysterious and inviting.
Alina pressed her hand to her chest. She had never seen a real island in her life—let alone the chance to go to one.
She hugged her pillow tightly, a wide smile spreading across her face.
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