Page 36 of Tide of Waves and Secrets

My gazed wandered from Nerys’s face downward. How could I not possibly notice how enticing she looked this way? I imagined her with naught but those boots, beneath me on the bed…

“As to the reason I tell you this story.”

My head snapped back up, and though I didn’t believe she caught me staring, I couldn’t be certain. I would tell her there was so much more to her allure than simply Nerys’s beauty, that the resolve in her eyes, the love Nerys had for her people… Instead, I remained silent, knowing naught could come from such words.

“You asked what I train for today.”

Somehow, I’d forgotten the question. With Nerys, it was easy to forget, if even for a moment, the pain of losing a man I loved and admired, the mission that brought me here… all of it.

“I have known for some years that my power exceeds the queen’s. And I supposed it was my hope she would put out the call, knowing there is one among her more powerful. But she has not, and I’ve delayed the inevitable, afraid for myself. Having you here”—she sighed—“I am more afraid for our future under her continued rule and know, if naught else, I would lead with more compassion than she. My parents would will it for me. For all of us.”

“You train to challenge the queen.”

It was not a question, and there was no need for Nerys to respond.

I wanted to tell her of my vision. That her decision had already been foretold. Instead, I offered all that I was able.

“I will aid you in any way that I can. And when you are queen of Thalassaria, together, we will forge a new path for our people that strengthens us both.”

“Perhaps our paths were meant to cross, for this purpose,” Nerys said as she strode across my chamber with purpose and determination.

“Perhaps,” I whispered, knowing our respective roles also meant we were destined never to be together. “Nerys?” I asked as the mist faded and she reached the door. “The young one, who nearly drowned. What became of him?”

Her secret smile made me even more curious.

“Think on it. I am certain you know the answer already.”

16

NERYS

I do not doubt it. But the question is… do you?

It was never my abilities I doubted, but my willingness to challenge the queen. But as I attempted an advanced sea-bind, and failed, Rowan’s question swirled in my mind.

He’d said nothing but sat patiently watching me. Though we’d broken our fast before coming to the cove, it was well past time for a midday meal. I disliked stopping now, but a break was in order. For us both.

My arms had begun to ache from holding them in the air for so long. It felt good to stretch them, dropping them by my sides for a rest. Like this morning, when he first opened the door, Rowan’s expression hid nothing. I will admit, knowing he watched me with such admiration had made this training session different than most. I wanted to please him even though the approval of a man was something Aneri had long warned me not to covet.

“I’m glad to see you still smiling after so long a session,” I said.

Rowan stood from where he’d been sitting on a flat rock, watching me.

“I have every reason to smile, and none to frown. You are magnificent, Nerys.”

There was something in his voice that gave me pause. A sincerity that stopped me from offering a glib reply, as I might have had Marek offered such a compliment. The two men were equally as handsome, in different ways. But when I looked at my friend, I saw only someone who cared for me. Not since our first encounter did Marek look at me the way Rowan did now. Nor did I wish him to.

Rowan, on the other hand?

I’d have let him kiss me this morn, and it would have been a mistake.

I curtsied, not in jest, but in honest reverence to his sincerity. And to give thanks, not just for his compliment, but Rowan’s patience.

“It is I who should bow to you, the future queen of Thalassaria.”

“Not if I am unable to sea-bind at will. It is a skill Queen Lirael performs well, and one revered by my people.”

Making my way to the sack I’d placed beside Rowan, I took out the leather pouch.

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