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“Listen to me, Nerys. There are few people in Elydor who wish the Aetherian Gate to be reopened more than me. Namely, the king and his daughter. Even so, that alone is not a reason for you to challenge the queen.”

“Is it not?”

“No,” he said, his voice firm. “It isn’t. I thought of it, of course. And would dearly love to bring that Pearl, or the promise of it, back to Galfrid and Mev. But not at your expense.”

I lifted my chin. “You do not believe I should challenge her?”

“I believe,” he said, “the choice is yours, and yours alone to make.”

“My magic is more powerful than hers, Rowan.”

“I do not doubt it. But the question is… do you?”

15

ROWAN

Dressed for the day, I waited for Nerys by the window, though no visions came to me this morning. After we returned last eve, I had difficulty sleeping. Grandfather was gone. For some reason, I was now The Keeper, a responsibility no amount of training could have prepared me for. And then there was Nerys. She’d realized what I had: that more than the future of her own people was at stake in her decision to challenge the queen. If Lirael did not plan to offer Galfrid and Mev use of the Tidal Pearl, the future of Elydor remained in peril.

Eventually, I had fallen into a fitful slumber, my dreams of a very different variety.

Twice now, I’d held Nerys in my arms. Twice, I’d not wanted to let her go. It was more than desire, more than lust, although more than once throughout the day, I’d imagined what it would be like to strip every bit of clothing from her and bring Nerys pleasure.

Her knock came at a most unfortunate time. I forced my mind to wander to less erotic thoughts, but it was still a moment or two before I could comfortably make my way to the door. Opening it, despite that Nerys could have easily done so since she had a key to my chamber, I groaned.

“Nerys.”

I turned away and headed back into my chamber. Sitting on my bed, I took a deep breath, appalled at my own lack of control.

She came inside and stood in front of me, genuinely confused.

“Have I done something to offend you?”

She truly did not know how she affected me. I took in the fitted, sleeveless and legless training tunic, the black and seafoam green making her eyes shine brighter than usual. Black boots covered her legs, up to mid-thigh at least, her gloves doing the same for her arms. A decorative, belt-like piece rested at her hips, adding a touch of sophistication. She looked like a warrior of the sea, prepared for battle, though not the kind of battle to which I was accustomed.

“I’ve never seen such a garment before.”

Nerys looked down, as if seeing herself for the first time. “Likely because this is for training—surprisingly warm too given how little it covers.”

“The other day, when the young ones were training…”

I let my voice trail. Though on purpose. Being “speechless” held more meaning than ever before. Turned out, it was not merely hyperbole.

“They trained for the morning. I plan to be at the water’s edge all day and do not wish to be encumbered. Which is what I’ve come to ask you. Would you prefer to remain here?—”

“I am coming with you.”

Her eyes widened. “There will be naught for you to do but watch me.”

“I can think of no more pleasurable activity than watching you.” I stopped short of saying,in that, but was fairly certain the actual words were unnecessary.

Nerys cocked her head to the side, clearly doubtful. And then, the worst possible thing that could have happened, did. Her eyes darted from me to the bed. Groaning, I stood, needing to move. Unfortunately, I startled her, standing so abruptly that Nerys stumbled backward.

I caught her by the elbow as our eyes met.

Her lips parted, and not for the first time, I wanted to kiss her. Wanted it so badly that I pushed aside every reason not to. Nerys’s destiny and mine might have crossed paths, but both those paths would diverge. Mine as The Keeper in Estmere. Hers here, potentially as the next Thalassarian queen.

Even so, I did not move away.