Page 55 of Tide of Waves and Secrets

“Humans will not be treated as such when I am queen.”

“I and my kind are thankful for it. When did you first know, Nerys? How powerful you’d truly become? That you might be stronger than Queen Lirael?”

“In a training session, with my father.”

“That long ago?”

“Aye, though at the time, I believed it was just a father’s wishful thinking. But even as a young one, there was talk of my skills. For some, their abilities are in direct relation to their parents, or bloodline. They say Prince Terran and Prince Kael, for instance, are nearly as powerful as their father.”

“I’ve witnessed both fight and can attest to that fact as truth.”

“You have?”

“I have.” As we approached town, the beach became less desolate, though none paid us mind as we walked by. “As you’ll recall, I mentioned on our journey to Aetheria, Prince Terran attempted to stop us, stop his brother, from escorting Mev to her father. Their battle lasted for some time, though I believe Terran may be even more powerful than his brother.”

“And Mev, as you call her? Is she powerful, like her father?”

“I believe so, though she was still learning as I left to come here.”

“It is rare for a child of a powerful immortal, especially sons and daughters of kings and queens, not to be so. But when a union does not bear children, as it most often does not? I mean to say, my parents were skilled, but none could have predicted I would be the product of their union. It took them as much by surprise as anyone. And yet, if they were alive today, I do not believe they’d be surprised at all, that I find myself in such a predicament. If that makes sense?”

“It does. Although I would not call your situation a predicament, but an opportunity. Thalassaria will benefit from your rule, Nerys.”

As a young one ran by, looked at us and giggled, I realized we still held hands. Reluctantly pulling mine from Rowan’s, we continued toward the tavern. I wanted to reach for his hand again. I wanted to fall into his arms again. I wanted to be his again.

But every step we took toward town meant more scrutiny, and with it, the knowledge that I would have little anonymity soon. As we walked inside, I imagined what it might be like, me as queen, holding Rowan’s hand. Would they accept it? A Thalassari queen and a human?

Perhaps. But even so, what would happen as Rowan aged? We would march toward his death, and my undoing, year after year a reminder of the certainty that I would someday live without him by my side. Because… there was no doubt… I enjoyed having Rowan by my side, if I could keep him there, if he would have me.

We entered the familiar tavern.

“Nerys. Sir Rowan. Welcome.”

The innkeeper greeted us the moment we walked inside.

“Good eve, Nerithia,” I said.

“With luck, I’ll have no need of your sea serpent services, this eve.” She escorted us to the same table as before. “And of course, your meal tonight is on me.”

“I’ve done nothing to deserve it, but will not turn away a meal,” Rowan said good-naturedly to the innkeeper.

Nerithia held Rowan’s gaze for a moment longer, as if she wanted to say something more. Instead, she assured us a servant would be along to bring our drinks. It was Nerithia, though, herself who brought our food: two trenchers of fresh fish and vegetables. She seemed to take extra care in handing Rowan’s to him before moving away.

“I could become accustomed to the food here. Actually, I could become accustomed to most things in Thalassaria.”

“Even me?”

It was out of my mouth before I thought better of it. What had possessed me to say such a thing? Laughing, as if I’d made a joke, I instead asked Rowan what he thought of Aneri. Rather than answering, he simply looked at me.

“Nerys?”

He said my name so deeply, it was as if Rowan spoke directly to my soul. I looked up from my nearly empty trencher of food.

“Especially you.”

At that very moment, the moon moved into place, streaming its light through the windows in a way that gave the tavern its namesake. Though we couldn’t hear the sound of the ocean’s waves from inside, I could feel the tide as it shifted, a gentle pull against the edges of my consciousness, as if it whispered secrets only the water could know.

Do not, Nerys. There is no hope for it.

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