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“For some, immortality was never meant to be eternal. The Balance ensures that the lives of immortals remain purposeful, fading once their time has passed. They are immortal only for as long as they serve their role or keep the Balance intact. My guess is that Queen Lirael won’t be long for Elydor.”

Nerys was looking for me. I smiled as her eyes found mine, telling her our time would come. Our reunion would not be a public display, however. I had things to say, and this moment was for the new queen, not for us.

“Hold the phone.” Mev was becoming increasingly agitated. “You’re telling me we’re not actually immortal?”

“I love it when you have that look.”

“Glad to hear it. But I’d love to know what the hell you’re talking about. What’s the difference between demi-immortal and The Balance?”

Taking my attention from Nerys, I weighed in, helping out poor Kael.

“They are completely different,” I offered. “Demi-immortal is a term reserved for the child of an immortal and mortal, or human. As you know, children, like you, may grow up fully mortal, aging as would any human, or they can be demi-immortal, aging so slowly, they have the appearance of immortality. I’ve known immortals who faded long before some demi-immortals.”

The Fade. It was the same word we used when The Keeper finally lost their grip on mortality. I spoke quickly, knowing her next question.

“Elydorians are immortal, but not unceasing. The Balance gives them the ability, willingly, and sometimes not, to step into eternity when their time has come, choosing to fade away. More often, it is a choice, but in some cases, I suspect like the queen’s, Elydor will make the choice for them. Which is why every previous Thalassarian ruler will not be found in Nymara. Some have faded. Others were killed. And still others live among the tranquil coral gardens of a place I’ve heard of but never seen.”

“You’d thinksomeone.” Mev made it clear Kael was that someone “Might have mentioned this to me before? I remember distinctly having this immortality discussion. Seems like it would have been a good time.”

“I might have,” he countered, “if you hadn’t fainted as Lyra told you about being demi-immortal. By the time you woke up, we were on to other matters.”

“I remember.” She laughed then, clearly taken aback but not truly upset. “Lyra saying you looked like you were going to lose your supper, you were so worried about me.”

“Is that how you remember it?” he teased.

“Yep. I do. Are you going to deny it?”

Kael pulled Mev into him, kissing the top of her head. “No, I’m not.”

By now, Veylin was attempting to gain the crowd’s attention, but even using the Echo Stone, he was unable to do so. With luck, one of Nerys’s first orders of business would be to replace the head of the council. His ability to be manipulated by bribery was not a quality she would want in such a position.

“It seems as if the ceremony will have to wait,” I said, unable to take my eyes from Nerys. She looked exhausted but happy. Flanked by guards, Marek and Caelum, Nerys and Aneri greeted each and every person that approached them. “Tell me, what news from Aetheria?”

“Mev continues to train,” Kael said. “And is quickly growing stronger than any in Aetheria.”

I wasn’t surprised. Her father was more skilled than any Aetherian that had ever lived, according to some. If his talents had passed to her, I would not be surprised if Mev grew even stronger than King Galfrid, if she remained in Elydor.

“He brags unnecessarily.” Mev brushed off Kael’s compliment. “I can’t imagine anyone growing stronger than my father. Did you know he can whisper to another, if they are skilled enough, from one end of Elydor to another?”

I did know that. Having worked with him for many years, I’d seen him execute that particular skill. “I did. Can you speak with him now?”

Mev shook her head. “Not yet.”

“She will. I have no doubt.” Kael looked at Mev the way I likely looked at Nerys: with a combination of reverence and respect.

“What of the artifacts?” I asked, lowering my voice.

“Adren reports that my father, as you can imagine, is furious at my defection. He mistrusts Adren, his story of initially coming north with me and then being disgusted by my pledge of support to Mev’s father. He and a contingency of my men who Adren’s recruited have begun to work alongside your Keepers to locate the Wind Crystal, but thus far have been unsuccessful.”

“They will find it,” I said, confident in the abilities of those who’d gone to Gyoria to aid Kael’s right-hand man in this mission.

“We have no choice but to find it,” Mev said, the conviction in her voice having grown even stronger since we’d last been together. Knowing she was worried that her mother would learn of her disappearance, I tried to reassure her.

“Our best estimates, based on those who’ve passed between Elydor and your realm, suggest a time ratio of 1:3000; that for every day spent in Elydor, only a few minutes would pass in your world.”

“We’ve done the math,” Mev said, “and I understand how difficult it will be to gather all three artifacts for my father to reopen the Gate, but…” Her voice trailed. I wanted to offer Mev words of encouragement, but her father had been attempting to locate the Wind Crystal, and to reopen the Gate, for nearly thirty years without success. Even with Kael’s inside influence at his father’s court, it would not be an easy task.

“And the Tidal Pearl?” Kael asked. “Marek knows of it and said Nerys will allow us its use when the time comes.”