Page 48 of Tide of Waves and Secrets

Both men looked at me.

What had Rowan sensed before we’d been interrupted? And how did that impact his decision to remain with me? Questions I would ask him later. For now, Caelum was right. We needed to hurry as the queen did not take kindly to being denied.

“He comes,” I said to Caelum as we began to walk. “Will you find Marek and tell him to meet us at midday tomorrow?”

“Of course. Remember, Nerys, speak less than necessary, for the more you say, the more you give others the power to twist your words.”

I nodded, each step toward the queen’s chambers heavier than the one before. Perhaps it had been foolish to think my path forward would be an easy one. I would give anything to go back to the garden to finish our conversation.

Being with Rowan would have to wait.

I had a queen to placate first.

21

ROWAN

For fear she may somehow be listening, an increasing inevitability given what I’d learned about Queen Lirael thus far, Caelum and I discussed everything except Nerys. As we waited for her to emerge from the queen’s chambers, he asked questions about Estmere. About the lost princess and my mission. I told him what was public knowledge, but made no mention of the Tidal Pearl or the exact nature of my mission.

“And what of you?” I asked. “How does one become an Aegis Commander to the palace?”

“Do you know of King Tyreos?”

I knew of all the clans’ histories. It was required of me as a Keeper.

“I do. His murder is the reason I am escorted at all times here.” I patted my waist. “And why I’ve been mostly without my sword since arriving.”

Caelum made no comment, but he had the decency to wince.

“After his death, swordsmanship was taught to all palace commanders. In time, however, the skill was once again lost, in favor of water-wielding magic. The queen, knowing her history well, sought me for the appointment.”

“Because you are an expert swordsman,” I finished, remembering our introduction.

“It was an appointment I…” Caelum stopped, his expression laced with loathing, telling me how he felt about it. He’d not been a willing recruit, and I began to suspect the reason.

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

“You were the young one that Nerys told me about.” And the reason Caelum had taken to me so easily. “You are half-human.”

“Correct, on both accounts. Which is why I know well the dangers of immortal and human partnering.”

I ignored that second part. “And you knew Nerys’s parents well? Were a friend of her father’s?”

“We performed the Stormcaller’s Rite together. He was the most powerful water-wielder I knew until…”

Until Nerys.

The rest, I had to infer and did so quickly. “This,” I said of Nerys, “has been a long time coming.”

Caelum’s slow smile was my answer. “She had to decide for herself. Pushing someone toward their fate, however inevitable it might seem to others, is not the way.”

No, it was not.

“He must have been an extraordinary man, her father. As yours must have been too.”

“He, and her mother, were exactly as you would expect.”

If I was not mistaken, the hardened warrior’s eyes softened as he said it. Whether for their memory, or pride in Nerys, or both.

---