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NERYS

He rode as effortlessly as he smiled, this human with hazel eyes that spoke of riddles. Skin nearly as tanned as a Thalassarian and brown hair, neither long nor short, marked him as a human who, unlike the other clans, had no one universally defining feature. His warrior’s clothing could pass for Gyorian. Most humans were more readily identifiable, but this one blended in well as an Elydorian.

He was also exceedingly handsome.

Even more so than the one I nearly partnered with so many years ago. Like my parents, he too had met an untimely death. I’d long ago released the notion I was somehow cursed, yet I knew no others who had lost so many dear to them. Immortality was the gift Elydor had bequeathed to all those who inhabited this realm from its celestial beginnings. Even so, our death was possible and, if some were to be believed, more likely around me.

“The silver fish.” Rowan, my human charge pointed to the stream we rode beside. “What are they? I don’t recall them.”

“You’ve been to Thalassaria before?”

“I have,” he said, offering no further explanation. Most humans who visited the palace were noblemen, but this one’s title did not identify him as such. I was surprised the queen granted him an audience with so little information about the nature of his visit.

“They are called nera and can only be found on palace grounds. It’s a sacred species tied to the history of the first king of Thalassaria.”

“Which explains why I’ve never seen them before.”

Sir Rowan said it almost absently as he peered alternately up toward coral-white posts, their lanterns casting a soft glow and down into the streams and pools of water we navigated.

“This spot,” I explained, “was chosen for the palace grounds for its unique flora and fauna. There is no other like it in our kingdom.”

“The first time I came here, with my father, I was in awe of everything about Thalassaria.”

He finally looked at me. I almost wished he hadn’t. It was easier to pretend he didn’t affect me then. Because I most certainly could not be affected… in that way… by a human.

“No less in awe, I am certain, than seeing Aetheria for the first time?”

“Perhaps,” he said. “But there is nothing quite like walking through soft sands.” He gestured to his left. “And these shallow, turquoise lagoons.” He slowed, so I did too. “Bioluminescent corals?” he asked, pointing.

Now that the sun had begun to set, the colors were even more striking. I’d made this trek so many times since I’d begun to work at the palace that I sometimes didn’t notice them.

“Yes.” Nodding to the many bridges woven from shells and sea glass ahead of us as we began riding once again. “Also bioluminescent. The shells absorb sunlight during the day. That bluish glow now, at dusk, is called The Tide’s Gift. It lights the path for travelers but is also a revered symbol of our clan’s deep connection with nature. The harmony between Thalassaria and the ocean is life-giving to us, as I’m sure you are aware. We leave our mounts here.”

Smiling as we dismounted and walked into the stables, I watched the human’s expression, one I’d seen many times before. Anticipating his questions, I said, “Each “stall” is an open alcove, as you see, formed from natural rock and coral. The seashell mosaics and flowing seaweed curtains have existed for hundreds of years.”

“I never expected the palace to have so many unique features,” he said as the stablemaster took both of our mounts. Patting Seaborn’s flank, I thanked the young man and led Sir Rowan back outside. We walked toward yet another bridge, past cascading waterfalls that misted the air around us.

“It is the best of Thalassaria, according to the queen.”

I should not have added that last bit. Unfortunately, he noticed. Sir Rowan stopped in the middle of the bridge and stepped toward me. Though he likely did it to hear me more clearly, with the sound of waterfalls drowning out our words, my heart still skipped a little beat.

“According to the queen?”

I rarely slipped up so easily. But something about this man made my tongue wag more freely than it should. His easy manner and smiles, maybe.

Trying to deflect the question, I asked one of him. “What is your role in Estmere, Sir Rowan? I find myself most curious about your purpose here.”

“Simply Rowan,” he said. “I am the son of a nobleman who wishes for a place for humans in Elydor.”

“Simply?” I cocked my head to the side. “Is there anything simple about you, Rowan?”

His brief lip bite was so quick, if I blinked, I would have missed it.

“I could say the same of you. Tell me… why are you not wary of me?”

“Why should I be wary of you?” I asked, pretending not to understand his question.

But I did.

“I’ve never met a Thalassarian quite as welcoming to a human.”

“Your answer is an honest one.” And accurate, too. “Those who raised me have a more measured view of humans than some of my clan. But,” she was quick to add, “they are not alone. More think as we do than you might believe.” I could have said more but thought better of it.

“The palace is the best of Thalassaria, according to the queen.” He returned to my earlier words. “You do not agree with Queen Lirael on its merits, and if I were to be bold in saying so, other matters as well.”

This human was dangerous, in a different way than most.

“You have the Sight?”

He shook his head. “I do not.”

Crossing my arms, I gave Rowan a look that told him I didn’t believe him. Because I didn’t. “You could not know as much otherwise.”

His slow smile was meant to disarm me. And it worked.

“I did not know, but merely guessed. At least, not until you confirmed my suspicions.”

A nobleman’s son. That might be true, but he was more than that too. I was certain of it.

“What is your gift, then?” I asked, not expecting him to answer. A human’s gift was their greatest power. Asking of it was considered borderline rude. And few humans would offer a free response to such a question, especially to a stranger.

“If I tell you, will you share with me what you believe is the best of Thalassaria, if not for its palace?”

“Its people,” I said, the answer an easy one. “They may be wary of outsiders and often too suspicious by nature, but that is only because Thalassarians value their independence. The palace is magnificent but pales in comparison to the people who live within its borders.”

He was no less surprised by my response than I was to have so freely given it.

“I can sense emotion,” he said.

Had he really just told me his gift? Sensing emotion? That was not as common among humans but… I froze. That meant…

No. No, no, no.

The tug on Rowan’s lips told me he knew exactly what I’d been thinking. What emotion I would have liked to conceal from him, but couldn’t. Even now that I knew of his gift.

“Not to worry,” he said, Rowan’s voice as smooth as the tide gliding over polished stone. “If you could read emotion too, you’d have sensed the same in me since being in your presence. Shall we continue?”

Trying not to react, I stepped forward, putting one foot in front of the other as the implications of his words tumbled around in my brain.

So. He was attracted to me, too.