Page 70 of Lore of the Tides

Lore had almost been devoured whole.

She’d almost seen Finndryl torn in two. “Nothing a waterspout and fresh clothes can’t fix.” She assessed Finndryl’s face. Blood leaked into the water from a cut lip. “Finndryl?”

“I’m unharmed. I would like to remove Lore from the library until we can be sure the shield is back in place.”

“Of course. I am relieved to hear that. I was just on my way to introduce myself and invite you, at the behest of my grandmother, to sup with us in her quarters when I heard the alarm.” He leaned in toward Finndryl’s spear, which had flecks of Nikoryxia still stuck to it. “You managed to fight them off with just the one spear?” His eyebrow rose a fraction as he eyed Finndryl’s weapon.

Finndryl grunted. “Not for long. If it hadn’t been for a well-aimed spear from one of your soldiers, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.” Finn cleared his throat. “I prefer a sword.”

Prince Hazen studied Finn, his expression admiring. “Not many trained siren would have held out against three bonded Nikoryxia males for as long as you managed—and with barely any wounds deeper than a scratch on either of you to show for it.” Prince Hazen grinned. “What do you say we get you cleaned up and fed, then visit the armory after our meal and see if we can find you a suitable sword?”

Finndryl nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

“It’s settled,” the prince said, leading the way toward the exit, the guards flowing around the three of them in formation. “Lore, I’m eager to hear if you’ve managed to find anything of worth despite the tedium of my grandfather’s library. But I understand if you wish to rest before—”

Lore clenched her fingers involuntarily, tightening around Findryl’s arm.Tedium?Imagine growing up in a palace with your very own library and referring to it as tedium.

“Don’t call a library tedious around this one,” Finndryl said as he gently pried her viselike grip from his arm. Lore winced; gods, his arms were probably bruised where the Nikoryxia’s tentacles had been. He didn’t let her go far, though, as he tucked her into his side.“She’ll have no qualms about smacking you with a book, high treason against the crown or not.” Finndryl huffed a laugh, the sound settling over Lore like a poultice, relaxing her tense muscles almost instantly. “Actually, better not tempt her while we are still in the library; she somehow managed to turn a book into a weapon just now.”

“I can’t take credit for the glass-shard-lodged-in-a-book. It was just the closest book to me on the shelf.” She bumped his hip with her own, smiling. “Besides, I was going to let that one go, having just met the prince and all...”

Hazen’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he stood aside, letting his guests exit the library first. “Noted, no slander against libraries. Though with my grandfather joining us, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stomach two bookfish at the table at once.”

Finndryl smirked. “Oh, you should have seen the two of them when he gave us a tour of the library. It was difficult to watch. I didn’t know two people could be so enamored by—”

Lore shoved Finndryl’s arm. “You act like you don’t have an entire wall of books and scrolls at home in your room.”

“That’s a secret, you’ll blow my cover.”

* * *

Later, alone in the bathing chamber, Lore sank onto the floor, clutching the skirt of her dress to her chest. She buried her face in the soft fabric—fabric that should feel soggy and wet, but didn’t—and cried. Heaving sobs that tore at her throat, burning her chest as her shoulders shook with release.

What was this life she was living, that she had had the most pleasure she’d ever known and the most terror she’d ever experienced in the same morning—and then could be teasing Finndryl right after? When this was all over—when she’d acquired the book and created a sovereign nation for humanity—would a quiet life be enough for her?

She hadn’t let herself think that far ahead because it was hard for her to imagine what came after, when things in the new village were settled and she wasn’t needed anymore. What would happen when she’d built her wall, cast her spells?

When she was alone at night.

Would she be bored?

Would she miss this?

Lore hiccupped into the dress. Nobody would miss almost being eaten... but there was one thing she knew for certain... she would misshim.

She would miss him as though a part of her had been carved out. Hacked off. She had told him how she felt earlier... how she was unworthy of his love... afraid that she would only bring him more pain.

But she hadn’t the courage to tell him the entire truth. That she was planning on building a wall, and he would be left on the other side.

She couldn’t conceive of a way to keep her people safe without keeping the fae out. And how could she weave spells that would allow for one to visit? How could she keep them safe and still allow him in?

It couldn’t be done.

She would have to tell him.

She would have to tell him that they couldn’t be together again, not because she didn’t crave his touch—even now, she was aching with need just at the thought of the heated brush of his fingers. Her heart keened to be given to him, a lament that Lore should hold it captive within her rib cage instead of allowing him to cherish and protect it. But once she told him that they didn’t have long together... that one day, she was going to leave and shut the world out, and no one would be allowed in, not even him...

There would come a time... whether it be next week, next month, or a year from now... when she would close the gate, turn the key, and disappear the new village from anyone who dared to hurt them... anyone... and that meant everyone.

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