Page 103 of Lore of the Tides

She kissed him. He parted his lips, allowing her to explorehim, and she did, gripping his hair, pulling him down to her level, needing this, needing his strength, his pride, his confidence. When she came up for air, she felt as though he had imbued her with all of his best attributes.

She turned back toward the reverie. “I am ready.”

The creature’s answering smile wasn’t one of joy or amusement; it was the leer of a predator, promising pain and suffering to its prey.

I am a mystery, a void profound. I am where silence resonates. I am avoided by youths, embraced by ancients. What am I?

Immediately, two answers came to mind, which was the worst thing that could happen when dealing with a riddle that had only one right answer. Lore wrung her hands.

Sleep?

She pictured the kiddos back home, how they hated bedtime and naps most of all. They pulled every trick in their cache to prolong the inevitable. And yet, the older one became... the moreancient... the more one longed for sleep, relished naps. But sleep was not a void. Sleep healed, it brought wellness and rest, and more importantly... it was filled with dreams.

So that leftdeath.

Death was a mystery. For every species and every culture, there were a thousand answers to what death brought. And for many, it was as simple as avoid. Ancients, tired of living, longed for death, while the youth avoided it at all costs. And yet, something in the back of her mind was screaming at her—that this answer was not right.

Her mind raced through her memories, through every late-night conversation with Grey where they pondered the complexities of life. She thought back toAuroradel. Did the answer lie there? It had given her a clue about the riddle. Prepared her for it, in a sense... she just hadn’t known it. Had it tried to help her in another way?

The reverie licked its lips, it tasted her fear, hungry for her flesh.

Lore thought back to when she’d connected with the grimoire while scrying. It had shown her a vision... she had thought it wasjust showing her where it was. In a cavern, far beneath the earth. The reverie took an impatient, lurching step toward her, raising clawlike hands that dripped with decomposing filth, ready to grab hold of her the moment she uttered the wrong answer. Lore closed her eyes, blocking out the beast. There had been bugs... the stink of decay... the taste of rot... exactly how the reveriesmelled... no, don’t think of that now.What else had it shown her?She’d lost all connection with herself; she’d been cloaked, trapped in an impenetrable...

And then she knew the answer. Goddess, please let her guess be right. Please letAuroradel’s desire for freedom have led it to help her find the correct answer.

“Darkness,” she gasped, opening her eyes. Her chest rose and fell with heaving breaths. The creature had closed the distance between them; it was poised right in front of her, its claws inches from her throat. She tensed, ready to call forth her magic, ready torun. She didn’t care what bargain they’d made; she wouldn’t be eaten without a fight.

The reverie retracted its claws, its leer falling from its face. “The witch may pass.”

She’d done it! She’d answered correctly!

Lore found herself crushed between Finndryl and Hazen as they hugged her, jumping up and down with her.

“I hadn’t been worried for a second,” Hazen lied as he stepped back, his smile wide.

Finndryl said nothing, only kissing her on the mouth, his sword still poised in one hand. Lore kissed him back, salty tears wetting both their lips. If she had answered wrong, he would have died trying to protect her. Lore knew this. Lore hated herself for putting him in this position.

At least they would be safe out here in the corridor while she went forward and claimed her prize. She broke away, though it felt wrong to ever stop kissing him.

“It’s time. When you see me next, I will be twice as powerful.”

“I’m expecting you to blast a hole above us and carve stairs, so we don’t have to find our way back through that labyrinth,” Hazen joked.

“Twice as powerful doesn’t mean I’ll be a god who can mold the earth like clay, Hazen.”

“A prince can dream.”

Finndryl pulled Lore into his arms, enveloping her. Lore pressed her cheek into his chest, inhaled the spiced-bourbon scent. Finndryl’s arms tightened around her. “I’m not sure what you will find in there, but you’re the most resourceful person I know, and you’re so damned smart. I know you will be successful, but more importantly, I need you to return to me, Lore, all right? I will be waiting for you on the other side.” He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers, alighting across her face. He brushed a thumb over her cheek, her bottom lip. “I can’t wait to see you in all your glory.”

Lore swallowed back a sob. She wanted him with her. She wanted him by her side. But if this was something she had to do on her own... then so be it. Lore squared her shoulders and swiped a stubborn tear from her eye.

Finndryl dipped his head. Their lips met, the press of his lips tender and gentle. Lore wound her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and closer. She wanted to linger in this moment with him forever. But that wasn’t possible. She broke away, her chest heaving, the threat of tears once again a battle. She pressed her cheek to his chest, inhaling his scent one last time, as though she could keep it with her.

Finndryl pressed one last kiss to her cheek, his words a choked whisper. “You’re a marvel, Lore Alemeyu. Youcando this, there isn’t a doubt in my mind.”

Lore sniffed and turned away, though putting space between them was one of the hardest things she’d ever done. She stepped back toward the sentinel and paused in the doorway, turning to look at Finn once more. “I will come back to you, Finndryl. I promise.”

Chapter 34

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