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“Not out of the water. But you winced—that’s twice now. And admitted to having a wound that was bleeding.”

Another tight smile. “Just a battle scar from the other day—from this hawk, actually. It scratched my arm. But I’ll be fine.”

Why didn’t he believe her? “Have you had it looked at?”

“The island physician came to the house.” She didn’t look at him as she said it.

He narrowed his eyes. “And did you have him look at it when he came, or did you insist you had no injuries so that he wasn’t distracted from your mother?”

Her huff ruffled the feathers in front of her. “You know, it’s really not fair that you can know me so well after one day. But it’s fine, I promise. Healing more quickly than I expected it to. It’s just going to take a few days to stop hurting.”

“Mm.”

“What were you actually going to say?”

He let out a breath. “I was going to tell you to be safe. Don’t take any risks.”

The new smile she offered tied him into knots. Mischievous. Daring. Maybe even a little reckless. “He says to the girl riding a hawk.”

He laughed and backed away before he could do something stupid like lean in and kiss her. He was a man of many lifetimes—he knew better than to rush. Had never wanted to rush. Patience had always been as much a part of his makeup as his skin or hair.

But the years had taught him how to size people up in a matter of minutes, too. He always knew, these days, whether he liked someone or not soon after meeting them. Hard-won, long-trained instincts.

And he liked Arden Bleu more than he should.

There really wasn’t enough room in the lagoon for the bird to move around comfortably, and rather than scramble back over the rocky ledge, Seidon moved into the water to get out of its way. He sank to his waist but held himself there, watching as the hawk spread its wings and lifted its head.

A few seconds later, they rose, shooting straight out of the lagoon, clearing the treetops, and angling toward the sea. Golden feathers, a blue uniform that stood out far too much against it, girl and bird together.

If Arden intended to keep this up, she’d need clothes that would blend better with the hawk’s colors. They didn’t want anyone noticing her and deciding to take a shot.

“You know that’s a bad idea, don’t you?” Enoch’s voice came from the area of the waterfall, and he stepped out from behind it a moment later.

Seidon looked back to the sky and propelled himself toward land again.

“I know it’s a risk. We have no idea how far the hawk can fly with her, or what the mer would do if they spot them like that.

But aerial reconnaissance could give us an edge, help us find her sister faster.

And I think she’ll be fine. The bird, for whatever reason, is on our side. ”

Enoch shook his head. “The girl riding a hawk wasn’t the risk I was talking about.”

Seidon stepped out of the water beside his old friend. Waited.

Enoch sighed. “I’ve known you for sixty years, Si. All those years, and never once have I heard you flirting like that. Have you developed habits I don’t know about in the last two decades?”

He didn’t know whether to wince or scowl at the rebuke. He settled on a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “Maybe I really am just reacting to the stress of an impending war.”

His friend lifted a doubtful brow. “As your spiritual advisor, I suggest you find a way of coping that doesn’t involve breaking an innocent’s heart.”

“I wouldn’t—”

“Not intentionally, no. Of course not. I know the man you are, my friend. Which is how I also know that when you find the one whose blood sang out for you, there will be no other in your eyes.” He paused, let that sink in.

“I would spare her the pain of coming to feel something for you that you won’t be able to honor.

And I would spare you the physical pain her father will be obliged to inflict upon you if that happens. ”

That brought a grin back to his lips. It had been too long since he sparred with Rico. “Has he kept himself in prime condition?”

Enoch snorted. “It’s Rico. Of course he has.”

“Geysers.” Seidon rubbed a hand over his face.

“All right. Valid point. But I don’t think any harm’s been done.

She thought I was teasing her to make her relax.

She didn’t take me seriously.” Time to turn the tables.

“Now, what was so important in your library that you wanted to risk your life to go and find it while we were still in lockdown?”

Enoch flushed and looked away. “I…probably nothing. Your words last night put me in mind of a few texts, but I doubt they’re of any import. I think I was eager for a distraction.”

“Your way of coping with impending war?”

The priest grinned. “Better than flirting, given my choice of life.”

Seidon laughed and clapped a hand to his friend’s shoulder. “How many times did Storm have to stop you last night?”

“Only four. I did give up eventually and fall asleep.” He glanced toward the cave behind the falls. “That young man has good reflexes and sharp senses. I’d have made it past most people.”

“Thank you for testing him for me.” He nodded toward the world at large. “I think it’s safe for you all to return to the friary, if you still want to look for the text before you prepare for Firstday missas. I’ll be returning to the palace.”

“Still planning on attending the evening service? Not the morning?”

Seidon didn’t have to consider. As much as he needed the direction of the Triada, he’d already announced which service he’d be at for his first time back at the cathedral—choosing the late one because of the ball that he’d expected to keep him up until the crack of dawn.

He didn’t dare to change it. Especially in light of the attack last night, his people would need to see him where he said he’d be and when.

They’d need to see the proof that he was still the Triada’s anointed.

His pulse scattered, as it did every week before he laid his heart bare before the Triada and man. He’d learned more than half a century ago that the favor of heaven wasn’t something he could ever take for granted.

“Six o’clock missa,” he verified with a nod. “That’s when everyone expects me to be there. So for now, the palace, reports, and I need to make it over to the Banks to confer with Rico.”

And one of the first things he’d do when they reached the palace was invite Storm Bleu to a sparring match.

If they were about to go to war with the mer, he needed all the able bodies he could get.