Page 29

“With Marek.”

Nerys paused. I hadn’t meant for the words to slip out, and certainly not as acidly as they had.

“Apologies for my tone. I suppose you do not need to have my human intuition to sense my envy of him.”

“Envy? Why?”

These visions, the unwanted flood of emotions, had taken their toll. There was so much I could not tell her; I would at least offer honesty in this.

A servant put our drinks in front of us, and just as Nerys predicted, the glasses were shaped like conch shells. I took an extended sip.

“When I read your emotion that first day, and I told you that you were not alone in your desire, I was being honest, Nerys. In truth, I am as drawn to you. I don’t say that to make you uncomfortable. On the contrary, I know relations between Thalassarians and humans are rare for your kind. I say it only because there is much I cannot tell you, such as what happened to me in the marketplace. I would offer you honesty, however, where I am able.”

Nerys took her own sip of rum, her long lashes peeking out from under the glass.

“You have me at a disadvantage, being able to know my emotion at any time.”

“Yet I do not use that ability with you. I made that promise and intend to keep it, when I am able.”

“What does that mean, Rowan? When you are able?”

“At the market… something did happen. But there are things about me I cannot share. Even if I wished to do so.”

Nerys was the embodiment of calm. Like the ocean to which she was so tied, she had the ability to make those around her feel at ease, as I did now, even revealing what I had. But the power inside her, the storm that simmered beneath the surface… I thought back to what I’d seen her do at the water’s edge.

Before she could respond, Nerithia arrived with our food.

“Pardon me,” Nerys said, standing. “I’ll return shortly.”

I watched her walk off, part of me wishing to follow, not wanting her to come to any harm. But the other part of me able to admit, Nerys was much, much more powerful than me. She didn’t need a protector and was more than capable of attending to her needs alone.

“Why are you here?”

Nerithia asked the question in a whisper so low, I almost did not hear her.

She knew the code. Was a Keeper. The familiarity I sensed must be tied to one of my new abilities.

To her, I could be honest. “To seek the queen’s aid in helping King Galfrid reopen the Aetherian Gate. How did you know?”

“My ability. I can sense other Keepers. My father was human. My mother, Thalassarian.”

I pulled the stew toward me, smelling it as if we were discussing the food. “My grandfather said nothing of you, yet knew of my mission here.”

“I’ve hidden myself well these many years and, like the queen, remain out of human affairs. Rowan of Estmere. Your grandfather is The Keeper.”

“No longer. He has passed, last eve,” I said, for the first time aloud. “I am The Keeper.”

Her eyes widened. “You are certain?”

“Aye. I was trained well to recognize the signs.”

Nerithia swallowed, looking behind her, presumably for Nerys.

“My condolences on the loss of your grandfather. The pain of losing my father, though it has been many, many years since he left us, is not one I’d wish to endure again. It is for that reason I do not involve myself in human affairs, but there is Harrow in my blood. If I can be of service in any way, you know where to find me, Sir Rowan.”

She said my name with more reverence than I deserved. I may be the new Keeper, but I’d not yet earned the title.

“I wish to get word to the others. They will not know yet, and I’m needed here still.”