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“I do not.”

Nerys turned back around just as the city came into view.

It wasn’t until she navigated us toward one of many docks in Serenium and we were back on land that Nerys and I finished our conversation as we walked toward Serenium Square.

“Did you ever come close?” she asked, watching me. “To marrying?”

I couldn’t explain that marrying was more difficult for me, especially now. The secrets The Keeper held were a weight that some might call a burden. It would be a rare woman that would be able to share it with me. So nay, I was not likely to marry.

“I…”

And that’s when it happened.

A flood of emotion, not only Nerys’s but all of those who walked near us. It was like being brought back to my childhood when my abilities first began to manifest. For a moment, I thought Nerys was reaching for my hand until I realized it wasn’t actually her but a vision of her. Hazy, like the one of her on the water. She was smiling, about to say something.

As quickly as it came, the vision dissipated and was replaced by a very real, very concerned-looking Nerys.

“Rowan?”

I took a deep breath, held it, and released… clearing my mind. Eventually, the flood of emotions went away.

“I’m fine,” I said, trying to convince myself as much as Nerys.

She, of course, was not convinced at all. Refusing to move, she crossed her arms and looked at me as if I were a young child. I’d have laughed at her expression if we weren’t interrupted.

Out of nowhere, a man picked up Nerys and spun her around. If not for the vision, I’d have seen him coming.

“How could you possibly be more beautiful than the last time I saw you?”

Laughing, Nerys slapped him on the shoulder. They obviously knew each other well. Was he one of the lovers she’d mentioned?

A corsair by the look of him. Everything about this man said “Thalassarian sailor”. From his tanned skin and sun-bleached hair to his loose, linen shirt and leather belt with daggers hanging from it, this was a defender of Thalassarian waters if I ever saw one.

“It’s been much too long,” she said as he finally put her down. “I’m glad you’re back.”

He noticed me.

Nerys looked between us, swatted him again on the shoulder and said, “Behave.” Which told me, he typically did not.

“Rowan, meet Marek. My…”

I steeled myself for it.

“Best friend.”

12

NERYS

“Best…friend?” Rowan appeared skeptical. Not surprising, given Marek’s flirtatious nature. He simply couldn’t turn it off. Even with me.

“We met during Marek’s early naval training,” I explained.

“I charmed her with my irreverent humor and sharp wit.”

Ignoring him, I said, “Marek challenged me to a sailing competition and won.”

“I’m surprised how readily you admit it.” Marek pulled a dagger from its sheath and flipped it over in his hands. He excelled at many things—sailing, commanding his men, turning impossible situations to his advantage—but being still was not one of them. Rowan, unfortunately, likely took it as a threat. He watched the dagger carefully.