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I had to sht There was no doubt that she would be annoyed at our tardiness

The Aather lotus blossoms and nectar for us to dine on before we retired for the evening I felt better i, refreshed and revived, as the nectar replenished reat roooblet in my hand and observed the sunset as Cadainst his hard fra tired yet, my love?" he asked softly as he nuzzled the side of rinned back "Correct answer"

He grasped my hand and led me upstairs to the bedchambers

Chapter Sixteen

I knehen the sun had colow slanted acrossI squinted my eyes and threw my arm over my brow As I did, I noticed that the bed beside me seeone

I felt panic bubbling up as I called for hiain

Little Raquel appeared in the doorway She had bathed and coone," she et us"

I knew it Anger formed in my belly and boiled upward How dare they think they could leave me?

"All of theain

When I found thele them all I pushed myself off of the bed and quickly readied myself as Raquel watched quietly I turned to her

"You need new clothes, little one Here" I wavedfresh clothing

"Thank you," she murmured as she smoothed the skirt of her blue frock "What e do?"

"What anyone would do We call for a witch"

I strode to the balcony and threw open the doors

"Hecate!" I screamed into the empty city "I need you!"

She had said that when I needed her, she would come I needed her now

When I turned fro in the doorway of the bedcha?" she asked with a smile I scowled

"They leftfor Calypso’s island without me"

Hecate shook her head "Foolish, foolish men," she muttered "They need you to prevail"

"I told thereed "But they didn’t listen"

"Men usually don’t," she replied with a shrug

"I need to get to Calypso’s Island," I told her "How do I do that?"

She stared atyou wish"

"But I don’t remember how!" I cried in frustration "When will ain the crown," she answered sih This is not an instance where you requireI scowled at her

She sighed "Where do you want to go?"

"I already told you- to Calypso’s island!"

"Well, then, focus on it"

I wrinkled lare at me Just focus on the island"

I did as she instructed and focused on the lush beaches of Ogygia The water surrounding it was tranquil and blue Pal low in the sky I pictured Calypso herself swaying toward ht air brush againstthis roo out of the palace I heldtransparent

I startled and suddenly, the feelings were gone My body was back to normal, as solid as ever

Hecate nodded in satisfaction "You almost did it Focus harder and next time, you will be there"

"Thank you," I o with the witches I do not wish to take you to a battle When it is over, ill return for you and take you home"

She stared at me apprehensively