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NERYS

“In their roles as diplomats, my parents traveled more often to Estmere than any other region of Elydor. They would often say that humans were special. While it is true you may not have elemental magic, or immortality, your intuitive gifts and intimate knowledge of another realm, according to my father especially, reshaped Elydor in ways we could not.”

“And your mother?”

I swept away the heaviness that always came from thinking too deeply about the work my mother never finished. “She thought humans were the missing piece of something greater. All know King Galfrid opened the Gate because he was obsessed with the human realm. But my mother believed that it was meant to happen. That the human presence would someday bring us together in a way we’ve not seen since the clans were formed.”

“Do you believe that?”

“I believe that working together can only make us stronger, so yes. I do. I also believe strongly, after today, you are special to…” I hesitated. “To Elydor.”

And to me.

Rowan waited. When I said no more, he stared into the pools, alive with Elydor’s magic. I watched as he reached into a pouch at his side. Then turning to me, Rowan opened his hand.

In the center of his palm lay the aquamarine pearl I’d spotted at the market. I stared at it for a moment until he extended his hand toward me.

“For you.”

It was a beautiful pearl, the color my favorite. “How?” I asked, unsure if I should take it even though he offered it to me. “I was with you the entire time.”

“I worked quickly,” he said, not taking his eyes from me. “Please accept it as a gift for all you’ve done for me.”

I picked up the pearl, allowing my fingers to brush along his palm, wanting to touch him again even if that touch was brief.

“I’ve done little?—”

“That is not true,” he said as I swirled the pearl around in my hand. “You accepted me from the start, shown me more of Thalassarian culture than I’ve ever known… offered a path forward for my people even when your queen refuses to do so. That pearl is but a small token.”

“It is beautiful.” I closed it within my hand.

“Fitting, as its owner is too.”

My shoulders rose and fell with every breath, an awareness of him, of us, like nothing I’d ever experienced. In a short time, everything about my life would change. If I proved to be the strongest water-wielder in Thalassaria, I would be immediately named as queen. Lirael would retire to Nymara, and a new era would be ushered in. One where the hopes and dreams of my parents, of Aneri and Caelum and Marek and so many others, would be realized.

With it, every move of mine would be scrutinized. Discussed. Dissected.

And Rowan would be leaving.

“Everything will change soon.”

Rowan did not deny it.

“There is a hopeful part of me that looks forward to such a change. But if I could have this day again, even for a short time, I would do so.”

“If I could have the past few days for any length of time,” Rowan said. “I would do so.”

“Open your senses to me.”

A flicker of surprise crossed his features.

“Nerys—”

“Please.”

Still, he hesitated.

“I am not prepared to be the queen of Thalassaria. That thought has prevented me from challenging Lirael these many years. But I’m no longer willing to let that fear prevent the inevitable. Even so, I am scared,” I admitted. “Not only of the duty and responsibility that comes with such a challenge, but of the scrutiny that will be placed on me.”

I left the rest unsaid, but I could see that Rowan understood.

I could tell when he’d opened himself to me as Rowan’s expression began to change. I would not look away, even as my longing for him was now exposed.

Suddenly, his head snapped toward the entrance. “Someone is there,” he said, all traces of tenderness gone. “Someone is there,” he said again, “trying to reach you.”

When he shot up and headed toward the vines that marked the entrance, I followed.

“How can you be certain?”

His jaw flexed, as though Rowan was agitated. He positioned himself between me and the door. “You should open it.” His hand moved toward his waist. I hated that Rowan was not allowed his weapon in the palace. While I understood the reasoning, it was clearly so much a part of him that Rowan struggled without access to it.

“I will need you to step aside to do so.”

He moved to the side just enough for me to reach out. When the vines parted, no one was there. Confused, Rowan stepped through into the corridor. I followed, the entrance closing behind us.

“I thought…”

He looked up and down the corridor.

Nothing.

“Rowan, will you please tell me?—”

“There you are.” Caelum turned the corner, all but running toward us. “I’ve been looking for you. More importantly, the queen has been looking for you.”

“Why?” I asked, aware Caelum was likely not privy to such information.

“She summoned me to ask of your whereabouts. I’ve only just returned to the palace this eve and told her as much. I do not know, but…” Caelum flicked his wrist, and a silencing mist settled around us. It was a dangerous thing to do in such a public place. Anyone walking by would question its use. “I spoke to Marek.”

“I’d have told you myself but could not find you this morn.”

“I was on an errand for the queen, one that could have been avoided with a simple marisol message.” Caelum frowned. “Go to her, but tread carefully. Say as little as possible.”

Something was bothering him.

“I can’t shake the feeling Queen Lirael may make challenging her difficult.”

“More difficult than being the most powerful water-wielder in Thalassaria for the last hundred years? I spent the morning sea-binding, but even still… she will be more than a formidable opponent.”

“There are other ways she can challenge you,” Rowan said. “Before the festival even begins.”

“This is not Estmere,” I told him. “It is a simple and straightforward test of our abilities, as it is with all three clans. We’ve not had a true succession crisis in our history.”

“No, but Gyoria has. And my people have, in their own realm, many times before.”

“I fear Rowan may be right,” Caelum interrupted. “Or it could be simply my overactive mind, coupled with the queen’s increasingly isolationist policies, that has me fearing the worst. I’ve no doubt you are more powerful, as I’ve been saying for many years. But why has she not already called for a challenge? I dislike the games she plays.”

Knowing we were on borrowed time, I said quickly, “And she did summon Rowan and me to the evening meal and then never attended. I suspect she planted Carys to interrogate us.”

“We must assume she suspects you plan to challenge her.” With another wave of his hand, the mist disappeared. “I will take Rowan to his chamber. Go, speak to the queen,” Caelum said.

“No.”

Such a simple word but, the way Rowan said it made it seem like a king’s command.

Caelum’s brows rose.

“I’m going with her.”

Both men looked at me.

What had Rowan sensed before we’d been interrupted? And how did that impact his decision to remain with me? Questions I would ask him later. For now, Caelum was right. We needed to hurry as the queen did not take kindly to being denied.

“He comes,” I said to Caelum as we began to walk. “Will you find Marek and tell him to meet us at midday tomorrow?”

“Of course. Remember, Nerys, speak less than necessary, for the more you say, the more you give others the power to twist your words.”

I nodded, each step toward the queen’s chambers heavier than the one before. Perhaps it had been foolish to think my path forward would be an easy one. I would give anything to go back to the garden to finish our conversation.

Being with Rowan would have to wait.

I had a queen to placate first.