Page 87 of Lore of the Tides

After Lore’s discussion with the queen, they returned to the party for another dance, but the queen could tell Lore’s heart wasn’t in it. “I suppose the party will have to continue without us. It is time for you to continue your journey.”

Lore sighed with relief.

“It’s time.” They wove through the crowd of dancing siren and departed the ballroom into the well-lit courtyard. Music from the orchestra pulsed through the walls, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the clatter of revelry. It would be a full day of celebration, one that, if siren chatter were to be believed, would likely last through the following dawn. A bittersweet pang settled behind Lore’s ribs, wishing she could share in this uninhibited joy.

As though the queen knew what she was thinking, she bumped Lore’s shoulder with her own and said, “Do your people celebrate as mine do?”

Lore gave a cheeky smile. “Oh, we aspire to, but I don’t see how we could ever compare to this revelry.” Her smile wavered. “Truthfully, we are more restrained—an inescapable aura of fear stifles our merriment.”

The queen nodded and clasped Lore’s forearm, her eyes shining with conviction. “Having heard your plan, I have complete optimism that it will be successful. Your people will rejoice like mine do now.I will wear my crown with pride knowing that I helped make it so.” Lore smiled and patted the queen’s hand, which still rested on her arm, her long siren fingers wrapped around the markings of the Puallas Kiss.

“What will happen to the Puallas Kiss when we are back on land?” Lore had grown quite attached to the marking beyond just requiring it to survive. “It’s quite beautiful, I will be sad to see it gone.”

Queen Naia flipped Lore’s arm over to study the mark and ran a wrinkled finger over the boldest of the swirling fronds. “Puallas Kiss is bestowed upon very few people. It is hallowed, sacred, and therefore treated as such.”

“My circumstances coming here were... unusual, but I can say, the honor of you allowing me to live in your world has not been lost on me. I will cherish these memories forever.”

“I know that, dear; I do not say this to impose upon you how rare this mark is. I simply want you to know that my decision to let you keep it, if you wish to, is not one that I offer lightly. If you and your companion wish to keep the Kiss, then you may. You will never have to fear drowning, and should you wish to return to visit me or my grandson, you will always have a place here.”

Warmth swelled within Lore, and she embraced the queen. “I am thrilled. I shall wear the Puallas Kiss with pride. And should one day I have the privilege of returning, I shall do so.”

Lore released the queen and called over to Finndryl, who’d been followed into the courtyard by a rowdy pod of siren—all clearly well into their cups—determined to hear his version of the volcano journey and restoring their Mother Pearl. The grimace on Finndryl’s face was almost comical—you would think they were begging him to disclose his top three most embarrassing memories, not regale them with a heroic tale. Had he ever had this much attention on him in his life? Lore covered her mouth with her hand to suppress a giggle. He was about one more slurred inquiry from boiling them all alive.

The male worked in a tavern; you would think he was used to being surrounded by drunkards. Then again, once he placed their beverage in front of them, they usually shifted their focus off him and to their tankards. He’d suffered enough. “Finndryl, come here!” Finn excused himself with a quickness and hurried over.

“Thank you, if I have to recount—”

“Right, right, all very tiring being a hero and all that—more importantly, we can keep the marks! Queen Naia isn’t going to have them removed after all.”

“Oh, that is—wow, thank you.” Finndryl dipped his head to the queen in gratitude. “I shall bare this mark with honor.”

He threaded his fingers with Lore’s. Where their wrists and arms touched, so did their corresponding Kisses.

“I hope you weren’t planning to leave just yet!” called a voice from their left.

Finndryl shook his head as he broke into a slow smile. “Prince Hazen, I was worried we wouldn’t have a chance to say our goodbyes.”

Prince Hazen hurried toward them, his arms clutching a large canvas bag. “No need for goodbyes. Remember when we were at the base of Mount Vatraol and I confessed I should not like being excluded from your adventures in the future?”

Confused, Lore hesitated before answering. “I... yes.” She looked at Finndryl, but he looked as puzzled as she.

Prince Hazen beamed, glancing between her and Finn. “I will be accompanying you both on your journey!”

“You will?” Finndryl asked, not bothering to hide his skepticism.

“Yes. It will be a rewarding experience for me. And, it will ensure I am able to keep my grandmother’s promise to you as well.”

“I—Ijustrequested that favor, I hope it didn’t influence—”

The prince waved his hand dismissively. “I discussed my desire with Gran to join your quest before all that. I wish to see the world before my coronation.”

Lore’s mouth hung open as her mind caught up. “Sorry I missed your party, Gran,” Hazen said before giving his grandmother a kiss on her cheek.

Lore glanced back and forth between Prince Hazen and his grandmother, who remained quiet, watching the exchange with an amused expression. “But we are going somewhere potentially dangerous! Perilous, even,” Lore protested. It wasn’t that she didn’t want Prince Hazen to come; it was that she wasn’t sure he knew the circumstances—

Prince Hazen narrowed his eyes, as if worried she was having a difficult time understanding him. Lore didn’t think he usually had to explain himself this much, being a prince and all. “Gran agreed. She thinks it’s a grand idea.”

Finndryl rubbed his jaw. “I don’t know about ‘grand’... It’s going to be dangerous. Extremely dangerous, Prince.”

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