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I shook my head as we approached the town square. The occasional call of seabirds overhead began to mix with vendors calling out their wares.

“That day, I could sense he didn’t wish to discuss it. There were times, in years since, I brought it up, but Marek would only mumble his well-used mantra: that love isn’t worth the pain. Marek isn’t shy about his uninterest in love. Women? They are another story entirely.”

We arrived at the center of the city. Brightly colored stalls with woven seaweed canopies transformed Serenium Square. Everything from shimmering shells and rare pearls to intricately carved coral and trinkets infused with water-based enchantments were being peddled.

I picked up a large, aquamarine pearl. “Marek’s mother is a pearl diver,” I said to Rowan, who stood at my back. “This is beautiful,” I commented to the vendor.

“It was harvested from the Bay of Serenium,” she said, pride in her voice. “A rare find, meant for someone with the sea in their heart.”

Putting it back down, I thanked her and walked to the next table. We moved from vendor to vendor, Rowan asking questions about various items and Thalassarian culture. We ate spiced fish as he garnered more than one curious, and appreciative, glance.

“It’s rare for Thalassarians to be with humans,” I teased him at one point. “But I believe if you wished to do so, you would have your pick of women here.”

When Rowan didn’t respond, I turned around. He’d been right behind me moments earlier. Spotting him nearby, I called his name, but Rowan didn’t reply. Something was amiss. I’d felt it earlier, but was convinced now. Blinking, he finally focused on me.

“What is it?”

“Nothing. I?—”

“Rowan,” I said, more firmly. “Let me take you to Aneri. I only possess a fraction of her skill as a healer.”

Rowan looked into my eyes, as if seeing me for the first time since he lagged behind.

“She cannot help me.”

My heart skipped a beat. Somethingwaswrong. “Are you ill?”

He looked around us, as if unwilling to say any more lest we be overheard. “Is there somewhere we can go to speak privately?”

I thought quickly. It would take us a bit to get there, but I had no other duties at the palace other than as Rowan’s escort. No one would bother us there.

“There is. Follow me.”

13

ROWAN

“Wait until you see it when the sun sets.”

I’d been in many inns and taverns in my day, but none quite like this. As we approached, it became clear its regular patrons included seafarers and sailors. Sitting so closely along the coast, the building seemed in imminent danger of being swallowed whole by the sea. It was also remarkably clean and well-kept. Even from the outside, it was clear the innkeeper took great care of the place.

Two stories tall, the most striking feature was a rounded section, complete with rounded windows. As we walked inside, not one person turned to look at us, a sign its patrons valued discretion. Although the sun hadn’t yet set, flickering candlelight and a two-story fireplace in the corner invited us in further. Driftwood accents and shipwreck remnants lined the walls as the strum of a lute played soft music, further lulling us inside.

“Will this do?” Nerys asked, gesturing to a small table in the corner.

“Perfectly,” I said, sitting and surveying the room for threats. Being without weapons in a clan of immortals had set me on edge all day. Aware, even with my sword, I could do little in a room of Thalassarians, I turned my attention back to Nerys.

“Your sword,” she guessed.

“How did you know?”

“Your hand moved to your hip many times today. I did attempt to regain it for you, just for today, but was denied.”

“Even when I am not in the palace?”

“The queen takes no chances. You have intimate knowledge of the palace, having stayed within its walls, and we plan to return at day’s end. It makes little sense to me, but…” She shrugged. “Her kingdom. Her rules.”

Now that I knew Nerys better, it was easier than ever to pick up on her resentment, one I began to understand. Outside of Thalassaria, the queen had a reputation of being closed off, a fair monarch but one concerned with her people alone. Inside her own kingdom, it seemed Queen Lirael’s reputation was even more of a mixed bag.