Page 37

37

ROWAN

As we waited for their return, relief flooded through me. If there had been any question before on my path for the future, it had been obliterated when Nerys began to battle the queen. Knowing of the shard, realizing I’d never actually envisioned Nerys as queen, my thoughts ran wild.

What if the shard was enough of an advantage for the queen to win? More importantly, given her behavior leading up to the challenge, what if she “accidentally” killed Nerys, despite being against the rules, using that advantage? Even from this distance, it was evident Nerys struggled at the start.

When the water flew above our heads, and then moments later, Nerys flung it at the queen, everything changed. Murmurs of surprise, questions about why she’d have spent precious time harnessing water from so far away when surrounded by the sea, became gasps and shouts of delight.

“I knew she was powerful,” Kael said at one point. “Rumors of her skill reached Gyoria long ago. But I never imagined… this.”

Once, when the queen knocked her down, Aneri grabbed my hand and did not let go. Each time the queen struck, she squeezed it, as if feeling every blow.

But nothing, not even Nerys’s spectacular display of water-wielding, had elicited the same response as the pelagor’s appearance.

“What is that?” Mev asked, standing for a better look.

“A symbol,” Caelum had answered, “that Nerys is the new queen.”

He’d been right. Nerys had summoned the creature, using its surprise appearance to her advantage. When moments later, she knocked the queen to the deck, every person on the stands stood and cheered. It seemed everyone in Thalassaria cheered, the celebration beginning almost immediately. Music began to play. From the beach beside us to the town above, I spotted very few unhappy with the result. If the queen had legions of supporters, they’d have been swayed by Nerys’s display. She was, without doubt, the most powerful water-wielder in Elydor.

And Thalassaria’s new queen.

“They’re coming.”

Snapping back to the present, we watched a similar procession as when Queen Lirael and Nerys had first headed toward the docks, surrounded by members of the Tidebreaker fleet.

With one notable exception.

“Where’s the queen?” Mev asked.

“She comes toward us,” Aneri said in response. “If you’re speaking of the old queen, though she should be a part of the handing-over ceremony, it appears she and her supporters have gone already to Nymara, a remote and tranquil village to the northwest, where she will live out her days with the other remaining Thalassarian rulers.”

“Awkward,” Mev said, each of us looking at her, none knowing what she meant.

“It’s an expression. Like, ‘that’s gonna be strange,’ or ‘ill at ease.’”

“For whom?” Kael asked.

“Nerys. The queen. When she goes there someday. What if the old rulers don’t get along? And then all have to live in the same place?”

“Not all. The Balance,” Kael said, clearly distracted by the approaching procession.

Aneri didn’t wait for them to reach us. She and Caelum headed down the stands, toward Nerys. As much as I wished to do so as well, I didn’t trust myself not to make a spectacle of us, to embarrass the new queen, by pulling her into my arms and leaving no doubt about the nature of our relationship. I wanted to hold her and never let go.

“What now?” Mev asked Kael.

“The Balance. I’m sure I mentioned it before.”

At this point, Nerys was surrounded by well-wishers. According to Aneri, there would be a ceremony, but by law, she was already the Queen of Thalassari and had been the moment she incapacitated Lirael. The guards that had protected the queen earlier that day now surrounded Nerys, who appeared to be pushing them away so that she might greet all those who approached her. I might have worried for her safety if I didn’t know Nerys as well as I did.

“Pretty sure you didn’t.”

“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 think someone .” 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.”

“We had no choice,” I said, but Kael stopped me.

“Tell who you must. Nothing is more important than gaining use of the artifacts.”

It seemed any further discussion would have to wait. Nerys and the others had separated from the crowd and were making their way to the water’s edge.

“I think the ceremony is finally about to begin,” I said, standing.

We made our way to the back of Nerys’s contingency and it became quickly clear something was amiss. I’d watched the palace guards approach, knowing what they carried. The Tidal Pearl was kept locked in the depths of the palace. It was not a crown that would be passed from the queen to Nerys to symbolize her new reign but the artifact that would enhance her abilities, one that would answer to her alone as the strongest Thalassarian.

The guards spoke to the council members as Nerys made her way toward them. Unable to hear them, Mev, Kael, and I inched closer. I opened my senses and felt their panic. Every one of them, from the guards to the council members, were feeling a similar emotion.

“What’s going on?” Mev asked, loud enough for all to hear.

It was one of the palace guards who responded. “The Tidal Pearl… is missing.”