Chapter 231. A Warning for Ella

*Isla*

The open air sitting room overlooking the beach shimmers like gold in the soft afternoon sunlight. I stare down at the newborn baby girl in my arms, my thumbs gently brushing back her dark hair. Goddess, she looks like Poppy. My heart squeezes in my chest as I peer over at my friend who is asleep on the couch across from mine, a sleeping baby Asher in her arms.

Elijah and Emery are… somewhere. Emery is making the most of the last day here in Maatua, especially now that she can see it at its best. Elijah came into the castle this morning during breakfast, totally drenched and covered in sand. We’d only caught a glimpse of Emery as she sped toward her quarters, just as wet as Elijah.

She’d swam out a little too far into the ocean, and he’d gone in to save her life, at least he thought. He hadn’t realized Emery was a very strong swimmer; she ended up having to rescue him instead.

But that had been this morning. Now we are just… waiting around. Our boat wi