Sweet Silius Island Honey: Chapter Six

Owen gets to know a smuggler.

Teenage street urchin Owen and witch heiress Wanda venture to the land of the bee people in this 11-chapter fantasy novel.

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The smuggler's arms went slack beside him. "My son." Aleister turned to the princess. "You're holding my son."

"It's a pity we didn't introduce you," the princess said.

"You called me over to this meeting as soon as I landed," Aleister said. "If I'd known who he really was… If I'd met him…" He pulled a handkerchief out of a pocket and wiped it on his brow. "We have to let him go."

"What?!"

"You heard me. Return him to his mother. I've done that woman enough wrong. I am not keeping her flesh and blood away from her."

"And what about our territory? The increased production?"

"We'll manage. I'll have Sal raise the price. It's not worth that boy's life."

"He is in no danger, I've told you."

"I may be a smuggler, but I have a heart. Not a day goes by when I don't think of what I did to Wanda when she needed me the most. But of course, how can I expect you to understand? You have a dozen fathers, and your fathers each have hundreds of children. Who cares if there's a bond?"

"Be careful, Aleister," the princess said. "Remember who you're speaking to."