"After a very rough start Boz is now co-king of Kongkea and he and I figured out how to be brothers since my other brother abandoned me." Mitch flinches as Boomer lands another verbal jab
"Boomer," Boz's voice surprises me, "you have to stop with the digs they aren't helping anything. I'm sorry Dude, I thought we were over the anger but apparently not quite."
"Yeah," Boomer mutters clearly not ready to let it go, "Anyways everything was great for a while. We had a bunch of adventures and near misses with losing the throne both to our own idiocies and a few attempts by people trying to steal the throne. We beat Malaki, the dark rider, and every other bad thing from the dark side. We avenged mom & dad's death, the thing that killed them has been vanquished. We were riding high finally ruling an Island without a dark side."
Boomer sighs before continuing, "But then... Then one day this woman showed up and claimed that we had disregarded and disrespected the old rules and rituals of the Island's magic by making Boz co-king and giving him your king ring without him completing the King's Challenge. To be honest I didn't even know that could be a problem until she showed up."
"Mason and Makayla looked it up in the secret Great Book that was hidden in the secret vault behind our vault and as it turned out the creepy woman was right. Unless all three of us take the King's Challenge together and win she is going to take over the island. Because of a stupid rule that says since we now know we are triplets it's either all of us or none of us. Bro the island needs you. We need you. We can't let the Island be turned over to this crazy hag" Boomer finishes sounding desperate.
Then all is silent. Mitch sits absorbing all of the new information, then turns to look at me. I can tell what he is thinking, and I can feel his anxiety
"Mitch you should go. It sounds like they really need you. Right now, and they are your responsibility, your nation." I tell him quietly while disengaging my hand from his so I can get a break from his emotions.
Mitch's eyes widen for a moment, "What about you? Will you come with me?" Mitch asks his face wearing a look that tells me he already knows my answer but is hoping I'll surprise him.
I look away unable to see his hope broken. Unfortunately, I can't give him the answer he wants, I cannot go to Kongkea, so I simply, slowly shake my head no keeping my eyes deliberately turned away.
Mitch stills which surprises me into looking at him and what I see shocks me, he looks completely confident. Since I met him, Mitch has always walked hand in hand with uncertainty as his constant companion but here at this moment the uncertainty is gone. Mitch has obviously made his decision and for once in his life he has no doubts about it. I smile feeling sorrow pierce my heart I don't know how I am going to return to living without this man as my brother, but leading Kongkea is his destiny, and he must fulfil it.
"I am really sorry, but my answer is no. I am staying here with Bella."
I blink, then shake my head. I couldn't have heard him right except Boomer looks pissed so I must have heard him right. I'm shocked I never imagined that Mitch would choose me over his family. I mean I know we've had become close, and I think of him like a brother, (more like a brother than the one with whom I share blood), but I wasn't sure the feeling is mutual and at most I could only be considered an adopted sister. These are his real, blood brothers asking him to come home to where his Love lives and rule a nation with them once again.
Apparently, Boomer just as shocked as I am exploding shouting, "What?! You are staying with her! She doesn't even know your real name, 'Mitch'!" clearly frustrated at his brother's stupidity.
"Boomer," I quietly scold regaining myself, "Quiet you are going to disturb the neighbors! Besides I do too, know Brady's 'real' name." then burying the pain I turn to Mitch, and continue being responsible, "You can't be serious Mitch! They obviously need you! This is your birthright responsibility you can't turn that down. You have to go"
"Yeah, I know," Mitch sighs sad but obviously undeterred." but I CANNOT leave you. You and I both know what will happen to you if I leave and that is not an acceptable outcome." Mitch shakes his head," Besides Kongkea already has two good kings it can't really need me."
Mitch stumped me I can think of nothing to say to this, I'm left absolutely speechless, luckily Boomer steps in again.
"Brady, the island WILL NOT accept that answer. It has been made VERY clear. Either all three of us show and take on this fight for Kongkea or we all three lose the crown to an evil hag, FOREVER! There are no loopholes. Trust me we checked. I tried everything so I wouldn't have to be here begging you. You have to come with us. Bring her with you if you have to. Just please COME."
Mitch glances at me and I know he hasn't changed his mind, but instead of doubling down on his decision to his brothers he tells them "Give us some time we need to talk it over alone tonight." At that Boomer looks like he is about to start arguing again but surprisingly Boz interrupts him saying,
"We will be waiting on shore for your decision tomorrow when you dock. It was nice meeting you guys."
Then Boz drags a protesting Boomer out the door while all I can think is we aren't allowed off the boat tomorrow to see them on shore, but we could never explain that to them.