Part One

Of what use is a wishing ring, that gives all but naught of love. Of what use is its power if it can't erase the demons plaguing my lonely heart..Gadriel thought, as the captain of his private yatch zoomed past couples holding hands on the beach.

Gadriel Fikayo watched from the back deck of the darkened interior of his luxury yatch, his legs crossed and his left cheek rested on his left palm; a side of his forehead pressed against the cold glass of the tinted window surface as he tapped a rhythm with his fingers resting atop his thighs to the crest and fall of the sea waves.

Matilda taxied along lazily,...