Snake

Finally.

We're here.

The journey was longer than necessary, mostly because I couldn't travel as fast with my pregnant husband. If I had come alone, I would've been here days ago, surveying the land, preparing for our future.

But then again, Noelle would have skinned me alive if I had left him behind.

So here we are.

Stepping onto the pristine, untouched sands of our island, the soft crunch of white-gold sand beneath my boots, the salty wind whipping through my hair.

I glance over at Noelle, who is not walking as carefully.

Instead, he's barefoot, walking through the warm sands like he belongs here, the ocean breeze tangling through his long raven-black hair.

His green eyes sparkle with a curiosity that makes my chest ache.

Like a child exploring a new world.

It's bigger than I expected.

The maps, the reports, none of them did it justice.