The waters surrounding the island glittered with jewels, some as big as ostrich eggs, colorful spots shining beneath the waves like a garden of light. White-sand beaches stretched across the shoreline, the land covered with lush green trees. And high above them, perched at the top of an ivory cliff, were the ruins they had seen in the photograph, copper doors shining—and the many-pointed star set directly over them, the same as the star on Sera’s necklace. The temple was made of rose-colored stone, with jutting, winding turrets and towers swirling up toward the sky like snakes. It was partially caved in on one side.

“By the goddesses,” Matthias murmured.

“We did it,” Leo said, breathless and a little befuddled. “We actually did it.”

Then everyone on the ship was laughing and cheering, clapping each other on the back and kissing cheeks. Home was so close, Sera could taste it.

“Ships!” Errol cried, his lights flashing danger. “Sera Lighthaven, the fog has gone. See, see, look, the ships are coming, the ships can see us now!”

In front of her were two hulking warships flying the golden sun flag of the Renalt. Off to her right, Sera caught glimpses of clandestines, visible when the light hit their hulls in a certain way.

The ships were pointed in all different directions, lost amid the fog, but Sera saw them begin to turn now, as the island that was once such a mystery had suddenly become crystal clear.

“We need to land now,” she said, but Matthias was already steering the clipper toward a smooth strip of beach. Once it hit sand, they all jumped out into water up to their knees. The ruins towered above and Sera had to shield her eyes from the sun. The tether was there, shining proudly up from its center, and she felt herself grow dizzy and eager and nervous all at once.

“Let’s go before those other ships get here,” Leo said.

There was a path from the beach, covered in leaves and smooth pebbles. They hurried along as quickly as they could—it was overgrown and sometimes they lost sight of it and had to double back. And always it climbed higher and higher. Agnes’s breath began to come in sharp pants and Vada clutched her side. Leo’s face was bright red and Eneas began to fall behind, Matthias even further back.

“Go on without me,” Matthias said, but Agnes moved to walk beside him, letting him lean on her shoulder, while Leo helped Eneas.

Up and up . . . and all the while the moonstone grew warmer against Sera’s chest, whispering to her in unknown words that spoke of home. When at last they reached the top, they were sweating and out of breath. Eneas collapsed onto his back, panting, Matthias slumped beside him. Leo leaned against a tree as Agnes sank to her knees. Only Vada and Sera remained standing.

“That,” Vada gasped. “Was quite the climb.”