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ROWAN

One truth, and it all came tumbling down.

And while I’d not have lied to Nerys, telling her that it was somehow possible for us to be together, that truth had cost me everything. Though she attempted to pretend otherwise, a budding hope shattered and Nerys’s mood with it.

We opted to return by canal, our conversation stilted. Every time I thought to discuss it, words escaped me. Without being able to tell Nerys the full truth, how could I explain that if my presence wasn’t needed in Estmere as The Keeper, the answer would be yes? That if she believed her people would accept a human king, and despite the challenges which immortal and human relationships presented, we would find a way beyond them? But not one vision of the future, thus far, showed Nerys and I together.

If not for our respective roles, could we be possible? She had reservations, valid ones, about my mortality, but if she could accept it, I would forgo my life in Estmere. Except I couldn’t. The Keeper lived among their own. There were just too many obstacles between us.

“There is an eeriness about the palace this eve,” Nerys said, echoing my own thoughts as we headed toward my bedchamber.

“The hour is late,” I said. “But there are fewer about than usual.”

In Aneri’s courtyard, we’d discussed the possibility of Nerys being watched more closely. If the queen truly did suspect Nerys planned to challenge her, coupled with the knowledge that at least one of her inner circle had been apprised of my purpose here, we had to assume Carys was not the only threat.

Opening myself to our surroundings, but blocking Nerys, I sensed nothing.

“Can I open myself to you?” At her look of suspicion, I clarified. “By blocking you, I am able to sense less,” I whispered.

Our footfalls the only sound in the empty corridors, Nerys’s “aye” echoed.

I regretted it immediately.

Her sadness flooded my senses. I shifted my focus outward, still unsure of this newfound ability to sense what was not directly in front of me.

There!

Unseen, but undoubtedly present, a… hesitation. And also, the feeling of anticipation. Yet, I could not tell where it was coming from.

Putting out my hand, I stopped Nerys. Needing a distraction, I whispered, “Trust me.”

And then kissed her.

She allowed it.

The Keeper’s visions do not come on demand. When you’re ready to receive them, they will find you.

So instead of attempting to force a vision, I lost myself in Nerys’s kiss. It wasn’t a difficult feat, her lips soft and inviting. Before long, the ruse was not a ruse at all.

That’s when it came to me. A shell, large and luminous, on the palace wall. Its most unusual feature was its colors. Unlike much of the decor in the palace, this was not only shades of blue and aquamarine, but also pink and purple and yellow.

I pulled back, whispering, “A shell, of every shade. Where is it?”

Nerys’s eyes widened. But she didn’t hesitate.

“This way.”

Instead of turning right, toward my chamber, we turned left. As we did, a hooded figure spun and fled in the opposite direction. I ran, the figure bolting. The chase was on, and I meant to catch the culprit.

Gaining on him, certain it was a man, I caught him on a turn, grabbing onto his wrist. The figure spun, his clear, blue eyes narrowing as he used his other arm to channel water from some unknown source into my face.

Reaching for a sword that wasn’t there, another blast of water attempted to loosen my grip. Instead, I held more tightly. One moment, the figure thrashed in my hold. The next, I was thrown backward as he fell onto the floor in front of me.

Turning, I saw Nerys just before she sent another line of water, perfectly formed and targeted, in our direction. Though it kept him down momentarily, he quickly regrouped and ran. I stood, intending to follow, when a voice stopped me.

“What is happening here?”

One of the palace guards came from nowhere, staring at the flooded corridor. Nerys stood behind me, looking every bit as fierce as she had the night she summoned those sea serpents. She took a step toward the guard.

“Precisely what I would like to know myself,” she said, her voice strong. Unwavering. “Is there a reason why a guest of the palace is being watched? And attacked for little more than attempting to discover the spy’s identity?”

The guard swallowed. He turned to look in each direction, but we were alone. The spy, gone.

I opened to him. He felt hesitation. Hope. Judging from it, and by his expression, I wondered if perhaps he was not as loyal to the queen as his position might dictate.

“Say it,” I prompted, opening my senses and knowing we were alone. “He is long gone.”

Nerys visibly relaxed. “Aelois? Do you know something more about what happened here?”

Again, the guard swallowed heavily, and this time, I felt his nervousness.

“I… Lady Nerys…”

“Speak plainly,” I prompted him, suspecting what he might be about to say.

“There is rumor, among very few of us, that you… that you, perhaps…”

As I thought.

“There is no need to say it,” Nerys cut in.

“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.