Whack!

I drove an ax into the rock in front of me. Only a tiny crack slithered through the surface. My claws squeezed the wooden handle of the ax as I raised it for another blow.

How could I have been so gullible? I knew something was wrong with Catilli and Lira. Why didn't I just insist on leaving?

Whack!

I should've just trusted my gut. I should have been looking for an opportunity to sneak away!

Whack!

Why did I get so entranced during the ball? That would've been the perfect time to sneak away! I could've asked to use the restroom or something and then just left.

Whack!

But nooo, I had to get so wrapped up in all the dancing...

Whack!

And excitement...

Whack!

And...Nitov and Kao.

Whack! Whack! Whack!

I paused for a breath. A bead of sweat slid down my forehead.

Why did they have to play with my emotions like that? I didn't care for them that way, but I thought they, well, liked me—opposed to wanting to marry me for their own selfish gain.

Murderous marriage.

Whack!

Though Kao didn't openly propose, I was sure he would've gotten around to it. He was a merman, just like Nitov. He could become a shape-shifter, just like Nitov.

I'll bet that's what he wanted to tell me while we were dancing.

Whack!

And then, if that weren't enough, I was stupid enough to insist on heading home on my own. I should've known something would go wrong. I should've waited for Pisces.

Whack!

I just had to get swept up in that darned storm!

Whack!

I was so close to Lani. I was so close to home!

Whack.

And then I had to get bitten by that spider.

Whack.

How could I have been so stupid? Why didn't I just trust Virgo? I never should've left the cave.

Whack.

Maybe all of this could have been avoided.

I shouldn't have swum too far from shore.

The ax grew heavy in my hands. I released my grip. The metal edge clattered against the boulder. My legs buckled, and I crumpled to the ground, face in my paws.

The dragon stepped out from under the shrouds of my mind. I was too weak, too fragile to push him away.

You may have gotten yourself into this mess, but you can still get home, it reassured me. The Gemini will transform you back into a human.

Yes, but—

No buts! the dragon interrupted. Come on, girl, you're stronger than this! Don't let your past cripple you in the present. You've got a job to do! Now get back on your paws, and smash that rock like it's nobody's business!

Reluctantly, I hauled myself onto my hind legs. I was in no state of mind to argue with myself. The muscles in my arms contracted as they lifted the ax high overhead. I plunged it into the rock with all my might.

Crack!

The rock fractured into several medium-sized pieces.

"Nice work," Virgo called. She sat under a tree just out of reach of flying pebbles, chiseling rock segments for the forest path. A pile of neat ovals lay beside her, carved from the rocks I splintered and "decursed."

"They're looking good," I said, nodding toward the stepping-stones.

"It's all thanks to your knife. You're right, it is quite sharp."

I'd lent her the dagger from Ptolema to make her job go faster. I had given her the super sharp dagger from Ptolema in order to make the job go faster. I have to say, Virgo handled it with expert precision, pressing it to the stone, shaving the jagged edges away.

"Your skill certainly helps," I said. Her eyes sparkled at the praise, but she didn't respond.

I took a moment to survey the work I'd done. Rubble splayed all around, a battleground of defeated curses. Only one boulder remained. It was my same height and breadth, and seemed to stare at me head on as to challenge me in a fight. I blinked at it, willing myself to attack it.

But the longer I stared, the larger it seemed to grow. My arms felt like jelly from all the intensive labor. I rolled my shoulders, trying to ease the kinks in my muscles.

Just one more, Kiara. You can do this.

My lungs inhaled a deep breath, drawing myself to reality. When I inspected the last boulder, I realized I already finished the biggest ones. The sooner I started, the sooner I'd finish. My claw tightened around the ax. I stood on my hind legs and slammed the rock as hard as I could. The repetition was almost therapeutic.

Up, down. Thwack! Up, down. Thwack! Up, down. Thwack! Up, down. Crack!

Shards of rock scattered from the newly formed segments, hiding under bushes and leaves. I plopped onto the grass, exhausted. It felt like I just ran a marathon on my arms instead of my legs.

"A-alright," I panted. "I'm done."

"Good," Virgo said. She held out a glass jar filled with a clear liquid. "Have some water. I don't want you to get dehydrated."

"Thanks." My paws pressed against the smooth sides. Once secured in my grasp, I opened my jaws and poured the contents down my throat. It was warm from the humid air, but better than no water. In no time, the jar was empty.

"Do you need any more?" Virgo asked.

Considering that I just drank over sixteen ounces of water in one gulp, I was pretty well-hydrated for the time being.

"I think I'm good for now. What do you want me to work on next?"

Virgo's eyes flicked over the broken rocks. "Why don't you gather any remaining shards? You can just place them in the empty jar. I'll check them over to ensure the curses are gone, but I'm sure they are. You've done a fine job."

A smile stretched across my face. I set the jar on the ground, then began my hunt for rock fragments. Tiny pieces glittered in the rays of sunlight that streamed through the trees. I bent down to pick one up, but realized a major problem—I didn't have fingers anymore.

Maybe I can use my claws.

One nail slipped underneath the pebble, the other clasped it from above.

Yes, it's working! Carefully, I balanced the stone and slowly carried it to the jar. It got closer, closer, until it hovered beside the opening...

My claws wobbled, and it dropped to the grass.

"Virgo," I called. She glanced up, brow furrowed in work-mode. For a moment, I thought about not mentioning my problem so she could focus on chiseling the forest's stepping-stones. But it'd take hours to finish my task. Besides, I'd already disturbed her concentration. I motioned to the pebbles strewn around me. "This isn't working."

Virgo let out a sigh as if to say "of course it didn't work."

"Alright, we can switch jobs," she said. "Chisel the rock into pieces roughly the same size as the other stepping stones. If you wish, you can use the previous one as a model."

I sat down and went straight to work. The dagger sliced the rock in half with ease, making it a more manageable size to work with. It cut away the coarse edges, smoothed the sides into an oval. My heart slowed into rhythm with the gliding knife. The movement was tranquilizing, exactly what I needed after pounding rocks.

My dagger completed the work for me, I merely wielded it. It was like the world's sharpest kitchen knife. I wondered what Lani would think of it when I returned. Perhaps she could use it while cutting vegetables or meat. Or maybe we could buy a fresh coconut, like the one on the Nereids' island, to sip on while we recline at the beach together. If the dagger could slice through rock, surely it could open a coconut.

The weapon slipped from my clutches.

Lani. She was still so far away.

"Are you alright?"

I looked up at Virgo. She held the jar in her hand, filled to the brim with bits of gray, white, and pink.

"Yeah," I said. "Just...thinking."

"Looks like you finished the rest of the stepping stones."

I beamed. "All done. What's next on the agenda?"

"A break," Virgo said with a laugh. "I need to sit down for a few minutes. And you need to rehydrate and have a snack."

"But didn't we just eat lunch?" I asked. I could've sworn I'd only been working for an hour.

Virgo's eyebrows arched. "It's been three hours."

Perhaps that was why my stomach rumbled at that moment.

"Come on," Virgo urged. "I've got food and more water. You need to rest after all the hard work you've put in."

I left the dagger where I dropped it and joined Virgo on the ground, a straw basket between us. She handed me two more jars, one with water, the other filled with some sort of green salad.

"Where did you get these from?" I asked, twisting the metal lid from the top. It reminded me of mason jars—one of Lani's favorite tools.

"I brought as many utensils as I could when I came to the island," Virgo said. "Like the ax and this basket. I knew I'd be here a long time with no contact with the outside world, so I tried to prepare myself the best I could."

I picked up the second jar, inspecting the leafy green contents. I should've known better.

It was kale. Why oh why did it have to be kale? I could do spinach, I could do broccoli, but kale? I grimaced.

You don't have to eat it, the dragon said. Tell her you won't eat it.

Two days ago, I wouldn't have dreamed of rejecting a meal that a person worked hard on preparing. But now, I actually considered it.

"This morning, before you woke up, I cut up some fresh kale and massaged each piece with olive oil," Virgo explained. "The oil tenderizes the leaves and helps mask the bitter kale. I also added some apple, celery and toasted pecans to add more flavor."

"Celery and kale with fruit?" I intoned. That sounded almost more disgusting than eating kale by itself.

"The ingredients work in perfect harmony with one another," Virgo said, unphased by my disgust. "Chopped apple adds a sweetness to the dish, kind of like salad dressing. The pecans add a nutty note, as well as a new texture."

"And the celery?"

"It's another contrasting flavor. Just try it, you might like it."

I eyed the container suspiciously but supposed I could trust her judgement. Tentatively, I unscrewed the lid. My claws pinched a single wilted leaf and placed it in my mouth.

I was pleasantly surprised. Opposed to being tough, the kale nearly disintegrated in a few chews. I grabbed another handful. Flavor burst on my tongue—sweet, tangy, fresh, and nutty. Virgo was right, the apple was like a dressing. It didn't taste too bad. It was certainly better than the squishy fish and the slimy seaweed I ate for way too many days under the sea. I polished off the rest of the jar, washing it down with all my water.

Virgo's eyes danced. "It was better than you thought, right?"

"You got me there," I said. "It was quite tasty. It was even better than my sister's kale attempt. And let me tell you, she's a pretty good cook."

"I'm glad I can even come close to her cooking." Her face sobered with hints of sorrow. "You must miss her."

"Yeah."

Birds imbued the silence with their song. I couldn't say more, for fear that the tears buried deep inside me might spring up. For the same reason, I hoped Virgo wouldn't ask any questions about Lani.

Fortunately, she didn't. Instead, the small Guardian rose so that she looked down at me. "Ready to get back to work?"

"Yes, what's next?" I needed to distract myself from what I missed. It was too painful. Each day made the memories more painful.

"I was thinking you could accompany me on my daily rounds," she said. "While I check for lingering curses and ensure none have returned, you can deposit the pebbles throughout the forest. They're an excellent source of minerals for the soil."

"Sure." I pushed my body onto my hind legs, sluggish from a full belly. Clutching the jar in my paws, we started into the forest.

***

The last pebbles clinked on the ground as the sun dipped in the sky. My stomach rumbled, awakened by the evening. The kale salad sustained me throughout the stroll through the trees, but I was ready to sit down and enjoy my next meal. Exhaustion permeated my bones, both from the hacking of rocks and the long walk.

"Everything seems to be in order," Virgo said, breaking the hours-long silence. "That's a good job done."

"No curses have returned?" I asked.

"No, fortunately not. Constant activity keeps them at bay. It's the stillness that allows them to creep back in. That's why we had to walk through every path on the island, to ensure there's movement everywhere, especially on the outskirts. Outliers are always targeted first. Then, once the curses gain a foothold, they can sneak further in, until they've infested the entire island."

"How do you know if they've returned?"

"Every Star Guardian has gifts specific to their constellation. Since I'm an Earth sign, I have a deep connection to nature. I...just sense when my plants are corrupted. I can't describe it. It's like intuition, something that's ingrained deep in my bones."

"Is it ever wrong?"

The corners of Virgo's lips upturned. "I've had many centuries of practice, and before that, a mentor. It hasn't been wrong in a very, very long time."

My stomach growled again, loud enough to eclipse the emerging cicadas.

"I suppose you want to eat now," Virgo said.

Heat stung my cheeks. "Yes, please."

Why are you so embarrassed all the time? the dragon whined.

Irritation ignited within me. It had been so peaceful without that meddling creature.

Why are you so annoying?

The dragon chuckled. Now that's what I like to hear.

I refocused on Virgo. Her brown irises glistened in the waning light.

"Thank you," she said. "Truly, I...I couldn't have done this without you."

"It's been my pleasure," I said. "I've enjoyed getting into nature and doing something different. It's oddly satisfying to work with your hands."

"It is quite rewarding..." Virgo paused for a moment. "Why don't we make a campfire on the beach tonight?"

"That sounds like fun," I said. "I can catch some fish to roast over the fire."

Virgo started for the beach, sliding between the trees easily. I ambled behind, clumsy in my oversized dragon form. The narrowly spaced trunks nipped at my scales as I passed, joining my assortment of previously acquired scratches from the forest. The Star Guardian's white robe disappeared in the thicket. But before I could panic, a whiff of salt greeted my nose. I followed the scent onto the beach. Purple and yellow hues swirled in the clouds overhead, reflecting on the mellow waves.

"I'll start the fire," Virgo said. She already knelt in the sand, sticks in front of her.

I headed for the ocean. Excitement flickered in my chest as water embraced my toes. How I'd missed this! It was a refreshing change of pace to help Virgo on land, but this—this was where I truly belonged. I dove into the crystal waters. Though warmed from the sun's touch, I felt refreshed, cleansed of the island humidity. Energy surged in me, and I lunged deeper into the ocean.

As I swam, I felt the strangest sensation ever before. Oxygen pulsed in and out of my lungs, even though I hadn't once resurfaced. With a jolt, I realized that my dragon form had gills.

I must be a water and land dragon! Now, I don't have to bother coming up for air!

The discovery sent elation through my veins. I torpedoed forward, relishing in the mere enjoyment of the water. My back arched in flips, my tail twirled me around. The tension in my muscles dissolved into the sea. I whirled through the ocean in a funnel of bubbles.

Silver scales glittered in my peripheral.

Though I could have stayed there forever, swimming in the water, I remembered why I was there in the first place: to catch dinner. I twisted out of my play and focused on a passing school of fish.

I wasn't at all like the fluid and swift mermaids in the water. As a human, I lacked grace in my strokes. But as a dragon, it was disastrous. My hulking form immediately scared the fish away. Silver scales darted in all directions. My only asset was the fact that I was bigger than they were.

My claw swiped at one. It caught between my nails, and I gave him a swift death before catching another. Two fish along with some vegetables should be plenty of food between the two of us. No need to take more from the ocean than necessary.

I returned to shore. Virgo already started a fire and now prodded the contents of a stone pot with a wooden spoon.

"I got the fish," I said as I approached.

"Perfect." She pulled a long wooden stick out from a bucket of water. I handed the two fish to her, and she skewered them on. "I noticed you got sea bass. They're very good."

I was surprised that she knew what type of fish they were, considering that she preferred land. I supposed that was one of the many things she learned during her numerous centuries of life.

My mouth salivated from all the scents in the air—the smoke of the fire, roasting fish, and whatever was in the small pot. The only thing missing was s'mores. But I doubted chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers grew in the forest.

"I'm sautéing some kale and butternut squash as a side dish," Virgo said, eyes trained on the food. "That way you can get lots of calcium through this meal."

I appreciated how much she cared about my health, despite my dislike for some of the ingredients. Somehow, she had this way of making the most awful foods palatable—dare I even say tasty.

"All done," Virgo announced. She set my portion before me in a wooden bowl.

Since there were no eating utensils, I bit right into the fish. The browned scales crunched in my teeth, then gave way to smoky meat that was so silky, it melted in my mouth. It was delicious, far superior to the raw fish I ate in Oamer. I took a bite of the vegetables, and once again, Virgo's culinary skills amazed me. The sautéing process softened the kale, so the leaves tasted more buttery, rather than tough or fibrous. Paired with creamy, sweet squash and crunchy, roasted almonds slivers, the kale's bitterness was offset.

"Everything tastes amazing," I said between chews. "You should come out with a recipe book someday."

Virgo laughed. "Thank you. I've had lots of time to perfect the combinations."

The crackling fire replaced any conversation between the Guardian and I. Dusk lowered over the beach, accompanied by a brisk wind. As I ate, I thought of all that had happened—Oamer, the storm, the spider bite, cleaning up the Island. So much adventure awaited out there in the world, waiting to take us along. Though I longed for home, I'd still cherish every memory, every new experience. Well, maybe not those of almost being murdered.

I glanced at Virgo. She hadn't had a change in her life since one-hundred years ago. How could someone go so long without a single visitor or any excitement?

"It's amazing here," I began slowly. "But...don't you ever wish that you could take a break? Don't you ever just want to...be free?" My eyes gravitated to the ocean. It was so vast, a dark blanket stretched far in the distance. "There's so much out there. So much to see, so much to do. And you can do whatever you want. You're a star, for crying out loud!"

Virgo didn't respond at first, instead watching the dance of the fire. In the flickering light, her face sagged with grief.

"Yes," she finally said. "Yes, I know that I'm missing out on much. But that's just who I am. When I have a goal, when I have a dream, that's all that matters to me. I'm willing to make sacrifices for what's important to me." Her gaze scanned the forest beyond, as if to give her strength. "I love this Island more than any place on earth. And for right now, this is what matters to me. Sure, it gets monotonous at times. There are days that I want to leave. Especially in the beginning, when there didn't seem to be any progress being made. But in the end, I never can bring myself to stop caring for it."

I'd never understand Virgo. Her motivation and dedication were foreign to me. She was one of the most unique people on this planet.

"I'm glad I met you," I said. "You're one of a kind. I wish you all the success in the world in cleansing this island."

The flames cast an orange glow on her beaming cheeks. "And I am glad you washed up on my shore. I don't know what brought you so far from home, but I have a feeling that fate rescued you and brought you here."

Realization dawned on me. I never told her about my experience in Oamer. Part of me was embarrassed. But another part of me knew that Virgo never asked.

"Do you want to know why I washed up on your island?" I said. "I mean, why I was so far from shore?"

"If it will make you feel better. But right now, all that matters is the present and future. The present, because you can change it right now, and the future, because that's what you prepare for in the present. And for you, I think we know what that future is." Her eyes glittered. I knew exactly what she referred to.

"I don't really want to leave you here all by yourself," I said. "But I do need to get back to my sister."

Virgo chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of keeping you here another day. You've already helped far more than you realize. Tomorrow, first thing in the morning, I'll tell you how to get home."