As Muhumma controls the balloon I lean on the edge of the basket carefully controlling the wind to give us the fastest flight possible to Kongkea. Even with that the rest of the day flies by and it is late afternoon the next day when Muhumma wakes up the boys to a panoramic view of the island. Just as Boomer had said the dark side is completely gone and the entire island is awash in light and bright colors.
Mitch joins me leaning on the edge of the basket taking in what his brothers accomplished in his absence. The closer we get to landing in Kongkea the more nervous I can feel him becoming so with a deep breath I steel myself, reach over, and take his hand absorbing his anxiety into myself.
"Don't worry Brady everything will be fine." I quietly reassure him trying to sound more confident than I feel.
Suddenly we are rapidly descending into a castle courtyard below. The castle looks remarkably like a sandcastle but made of stone with most of the walls rounded and a round tower stretching out of the middle. Even the courtyard itself is rounded, and I can faintly see the compass rose that is etched into the tilework. The closer we get the tighter Brady squeezes my hand. To be honest I am actually glad that Brady needs so much attention and comfort at the moment because it gives me something to focus on other than my own fears.
Once we land, I am glad to see that no one is around to make a huge fuss. As we all jump out of the basket a girl about Mitch's age and a man about the right age to be her father come rushing out of the castle. Since Brady and I are standing on the far side, obscured by the basket the girl must started berating Boomer and Boz as though they came back without Brady
"What were you guys thinking coming back without him?" She shouts. "I will tell you. You weren't thinking!! Now what..." at this point Brady speaks up interrupting her
"Mykayla," Brady says stepping around the basket with me half tucked behind him, "They did find me, and they managed to convince Bella that I was needed here and had to come back."
"They convinced BELLA?" Mykayla queries in a voice that says Brady's feelings were not as one sided as he thinks. I stare at Mykayla; she is beautiful with dark hair flowing long and free down her back in that way most girls would have to spend hours to achieve but I can tell is natural on her. She is tall about a head above Boomer, so she was probably taller than Brady before she left but now, I would guess that Brady is at least a head taller than her. Complimenting her hair is dark Island tanned skin, as her lithe body shows a strength that says she gets that tan incidentally by working outside not out of vainly tanning on a beach. My thoughts are pulled away from her as the man speaks.
"Boys," the man booms, "I am glad that you are all three are finally here together it. Boomer, Boz," He says looking at each of them in turn, "good work finding Brady so fast." then turning to look at Brady he continues, "Brady, welcome back it has been too long. Who is this you brought with you?"
"Mason! It is good to be..." He trails off nervous, so he rushes on to introducing me, "This is my twin sister Bella..." Brady trails off clearly confused as to what to tell those who know he does not in fact have a sister.
"Brady STOP lying!!" Mykayla huffs angrily scowling at him.
Mitch looks at me panic clearly growing in his eyes desperate for a fix. I sigh again feeling the weariness settle deep inside of me.
"He isn't trying to lie," I interject drawing her attention, "We've just gotten used to living as siblings, so it takes a minute to refigure who someone is to you under pressure."
"Well, who are you to him then?!" Mykayla asks turning her anger to me.
"This is Bella," Brady steps in to answer back in control of himself, "We are friends. She saved my life when we met, and she is welcome anywhere I am."
Mykayla turns back to him looking like she is planning to continue pursuing this before Mason interjects himself back into the conversation effectively shutting her down.
"Well," Mason booms smiling, " Welcome to Kongkea. Any friend of the kings is a friend of Kongkea. Brady why don't you guys get settled in and I will get the kitchens started on supper. By the time you are settled the four of you can have a family dinner together. Sound like a plan?"
Brady gives me a quick glance to make sure I am going to be okay for a while yet. At my nod and seeing me glance towards Mykayla and Mason he responds happily
"That sounds awesome Mason, as long as we change that family dinner for four into a family dinner for six."
"Brady, I know counting is not your strongest" Mykayla starts rolling her eyes "But..." Brady cuts her off though
"Mykayla, I Didn't miscount." Brady begins holding up his hand as he ticks off his fingers as he speaks, "Me, Bella, Boomer, Boz, Mason, and Mykayla. That makes six." Brady states stubbornly almost petulant in his expression as if wounded by her lack of faith in him
"Brady, that's not how... we can't... I mean it wouldn't be right for us..." Mykayla attempts before I finally interrupt her.
"Mykayla, please. We really must insist. It would be wonderful to finally get to know all of the important people in Brady's life. He has told me so many stories about all of you I really can't wait! We can call it a welcome home party but kept small because of the long journey we took to get here. Please." I shift out from behind Brady just a bit with just a touch of pleading in my tone. I can see the protest already rising on Mykayla's face but before she can speak Mason is already answering
"How could we refuse and invitation as wonderful as that. Besides we could never truly deny one of our kings. Right Sweetheart?" Mason giving Mykayla a pointed look.
"YAY!!" I squeal like an excited girl, "Brady can you show me around now?" I ask trying to get us back on track only for Brady to stick his foot in his mouth again
"Yeah, I can give you a tour Sis, but let's put our bags away first. I assume you guys have a room ready for us?"
"Boomer and Boz can show you how they modified your room to fit the three of you, meanwhile I will get a room ready for Bella while you are showing her around." Mykayla offers practically spitting my name clearly not missing that Brady just asked for one room instead of two without thinking.
"That sounds good," Brady the terribly oblivious agrees and we start walking towards the castle doors.
"I can carry your bags to your rooms for you," Mason offers stepping towards the balloon as we head for the doors
"Oh... uh..." Brady hesitates a minute before finishing, "that's okay Mason we just have our backpacks and my guitar." We hurry inside before Mason can ask any follow up questions.