Page 9

9

ROWAN

“Your majesty. I’ve spent my life bridging worlds: between those who wield power and those who serve it, between duty and what’s right. Galfrid sent me here because he knows I fight for something larger than myself. My people have suffered for many years and still hold out hope that they will one day be fully accepted as Elydorians.”

“I am not without compassion for the humans,” she said. “Which is why you were granted an audience.”

I was granted an audience because the queen wished for information about Mevlida, but I smartly kept that thought to myself.

“A fact that is much appreciated,” I said instead.

“But I cannot help you. The Tidal Pearl will never again be used by anyone but the queen, or king, of Thalassaria.”

I was prepared for such a statement.

“When the time comes, and King Galfrid is positioned once again to reopen the Gate, I will escort you myself to it so that you may be present for the Gate’s reopening. It will pass through no hands other than your own and, briefly with you as witness, the Aetherian king’s.”

Her eyes narrowed shrewdly. “Even if I were to agree, Galfrid will never have use of the Stone of Mor’Vallis.”

“The return of King Galfrid’s daughter has changed things. The Gyorian prince is now pledged to him. When the time comes, if the Tidal Pearl is the only artifact remaining needed to open the Gate, will you answer King Galfrid’s call?”

She hesitated. And would deny me again. So instead, I asked for something less than her pledge.

“Will you consider my request?”

I would point out to her that denying it would not endear her to Aetheria, but the queen knew as much already. Waiting, I thought of Nerys. I wondered why she became so upset. I expected her shock; the information she learned today was known only to a handful across Elydor. But why did news of the Tidal Pearl’s theft by King Balthor send her from the throne room?

“You may stay until the Festival of Tides. I will render my decision then, and it will be final. Since your escort has abandoned us, a guard will take you to your chamber.”

It was the best I could hope for. Bowing, I thanked her as Queen Lirael lifted a coral staff beside her, banging it twice against the floor. Immediately, the doors opened behind me.

“Thank you, your majesty.”

With a final frosty stare, Queen Lirael lifted her chin. It was the last thing I saw before retreating.

“Escort him to his chamber,” she called as I passed from the throne room into the corridor.

“I will take him.” Caelum must have been standing close by, waiting. Neither guard objected, but neither did Caelum allow them the opportunity to do so. “Come with me.”

He said nothing while we walked through the watery corridors of the palace. There was something to look at around every corner, but my concern was not with the beauty of this place at the moment.

“Do you know where she is?” I asked, certain Caelum knew that, and more.

“I am taking you to her.”

It was only when we reached the lower floor and had left the palace that Caelum spoke again.

“Word spread quickly of her retreat from the throne room. I can guess her whereabouts but thought to fetch you first.”

“Why?”

We walked along the shore, the palace on our left, sand and surf to our right. I could easily become accustomed to this place.

“I served with her father in diplomatic circles. He was a good man, but too protective of her. By the time he and her mother perished, Nerys should have received a position at court, but he shielded her for much too long. I’d have taken her into my home if Aneri hadn’t done so, and Nerys benefited from her training as a healer. I was not surprised she was eventually chosen to perform the Stormcaller’s Rite, nor when she was brought to the palace.”

“Why were you not surprised?”

Caelum hesitated.

“She is… extremely powerful.”

“Why do you tell me all this?” I asked.

“Because I know Nerys well and can easily see the trust she so quickly placed in you. I would not be surprised if she has told you much of this already.”

I did not deny it. Evidently, he did know Nerys well. My first instinct, that he was somewhat of a father figure to her, had been accurate, it seemed.

“Nerys has long believed, as her parents before her, and as I do, that Thalassari’s future lies in strengthening ties with our northern neighbors, including humans.”

I stopped walking. Caelum did the same.

I’d been trained as a spy. Trained to understand what wasn’t said. To see what wasn’t visible. And that’s how I knew Caelum’s escort was more than it seemed. His revelations, not knowing for certain Nerys had opened up to me already, were not just unusual for a Thalassarian. They were unheard of.

“What are you not telling me?”

In response, he moved closer to the water, so I followed. From this vantage point, I could see her. Nerys had been shielded by a rock outcropping that stopped just short of the waves which crashed against it. Behind them, as the water ebbed and flowed along her bare ankles, she waved her hands. In response, funnels of water rose above the sea and then crashed back down.

She did it again and again, the sea itself responding to her will. With a single sweeping motion of her hand, the water in front of her stilled, unnaturally, eerily calm. Then, with a sharp flick of her wrist, the calm shattered. A towering column of water erupted from the surface, twisting and spinning into a perfect spiral that defied gravity, reflecting the sunlight in a kaleidoscope of shimmering blues and greens. With her arms outstretched, she turned slowly, her movements fluid, almost like a dance. The spiral followed her lead, coiling tighter and tighter until it exploded outward in a rain of droplets that sparkled like diamonds.

Never in my life had I seen anything like it. Chills ran along my spine as my mind raced, unable to decide if her movements were beautiful or terrifying in their intensity.

Both. They were both.

I turned to Caelum. “I’ve never seen a Thalassarian do such a thing.”

His secret smile told me why Caelum had brought me here. “And you never will.”

Our eyes met. I knew the question to ask. And frankly, I knew the answer already too.

“Can the queen do that?”

Caelum shook his head, the movement barely discernible.

“Does she know what Nerys is capable of?”

He sighed. “To what extent, I am not certain. Nerys would never do as much”—he gestured to her as Nerys continued to manipulate the sea before her in awe-inspiring ways— “in front of the queen, or anyone, for that matter. With a few exceptions.”

“Who does she trust to show that?”

Who can I trust?

“ M e . Aneri. Marek. And a few others.”

I did not know Marek, but that was a question for another time.

“How will she feel about me seeing this?” I asked, still uncertain why Caelum had allowed it.

“Ask her for yourself.”

Turning my attention back to Nerys, I realized she had spotted us. Arms now at her sides, she hardly moved at all.

“Go,” he said. “Speak with her.”

Caelum wasn’t coming with me. I stepped forward.

“And Rowan?”

I turned back to look at him.

“If you betray her, I will kill you.”

Bowing his head, as if he’d not made that statement but instead had told me to have a good day, Caelum retreated. I didn’t doubt his words, but neither did I worry. I had no intention of betraying Nerys, but I did intend to get some answers from her.