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“We hope that you will. Perhaps tonight’s attack was related to that? All know you are close to him.” He nodded toward me. “And that he is here on an important mission that is connected to the return of the lost princess.”

And so it had begun.

Rumor had spread. And the queen had revealed her hand. She would not willingly relinquish the crown, but instead would fight to keep it.

“We?” Nerys asked.

A good question.

“There are more of us than you might expect. Even among her guards?—”

I put my finger to my lips. He stopped talking, immediately understanding. Clearing his throat, Aelois stood straighter, as if remembering his role in the palace. “Were you able to identify your attacker, Sir Rowan?”

“I’ve not seen him before, and it was difficult to get a good look at him as he was hooded.”

“I will clean the corridor,” Nerys said. “If you would be on the lookout for any other strange occurrences, we would appreciate it.”

“Of course,” the guard said, bowing to Nerys before he left.

Making good on her promise, Nerys sent the water below our feet back to an unknown source. We headed back in the direction of my chamber. As we passed the shell that I saw in my vision, I asked Nerys of its colors.

“This is the shell of the Sea’s Embrace, a symbol of our kingdom’s protection and unity. The colors represent the different elements we hold dear: blue for the ocean’s depth, pink for the tide’s nurturing power, purple for the wisdom of the ancients, and yellow for the promise of new beginnings. The shell is a reminder that we are all connected, like the ocean’s currents, and that no one stands alone in Thalassaria.”

Nerys’s sideway glance warned of her question to come.

“How did you know of his presence here? Just as you knew the queen had summoned me?” Before I could respond, she laughed, though it was not a sound of joy. “A silly question. You will not tell me.”

“If I could, Nerys?—”

“Aye, I know. If you could, you would.”

“Nerys.” I reached for her arm, stopping us both. “I want to tell you. To explain.”

“Then do so,” she challenged.

“I cannot.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You ask for my trust, but do not offer yours. When I asked of your abilities, you said naught of having the Sight, but clearly you do so. What else have you lied to me about, Rowan?”

I did not lie. When I said that, I did not have the Sight.

When I remained silent, Nerys pulled her arm from my grip. “I will leave you to your chamber,” she said, apparently intent on walking me to it and leaving me locked inside. Without her presence. Not that I blamed her, but tonight, of all nights, I did not wish for her to wander the corridors alone. I was being watched, and likely she was too.

But there was no hope for it. I had nothing more to offer except the memory of one night together and a handful of kisses. So when she opened the bedchamber door, I stepped inside wordlessly. Nerys closed it behind me without looking back.

I stared at the closed door, cursing my family legacy. Cursing the Thalassari mistrust of humans. Cursing everyone and everything until realizing doing so achieved nothing.

Slipping my hand inside a hidden pocket of my tunic, I took out the missive Nerithia had given me when she handed me my meal. Unsurprised at how quickly she was able to send, and receive, a message to the Keepers, I unfolded it.

And read.

26

NERYS

It was the first time since he’d come to the palace I left its grounds without him.

After sending a meal, and message, to his chamber, I began the day training at the alcove that, in the past, had been my safe haven. But now, unless completely engrossed in water-wielding, I looked for him, wishing to find Rowan watching me from behind.