Chapter Forty-Three
A calming breeze brushed against Arria’s hair, making it flutter behind her head. She stood at the edge of the forest, staring blankly toward the long white-sand beach, watching the ocean. Too many years had passed since she’d seen the beautiful shimmering water. Seagulls soared across the sky, many croaking, and a few diving toward the sand to find a crab or fish. The sound of waves crashing against the open beach echoed in her ears; she was half tempted to rush out and meet the waves.
Arria wondered if any other lands resided across the vast ocean. She wondered if they held as much beauty as the one she stood on. A part of her always wanted to travel across the seas to find more life, but something always held her back. It could have been comfort, or perhaps leaving
