Page 88 of Lore of the Tides

Finally, Queen Naia spoke. “The more danger the better, my grandson needs to test his mettle.”

“See?” He flashed his sharp teeth in a smile.

“If my grandson couldn’t take care of himself, I would’ve passed over him and chosen any of his sixteen siblings.”

“Sixteen?”

“Yes, our daughter had quite the collection of songlings.” Prince Consort Jaladri beamed with pride as he swam up beside his queen.

“So it seems.”

“We would be honored to have you come with us on our adventures, brother,” Finn said, clapping Prince Hazen on the shoulder.

“Can we leave, already?” Coretha called out as she exited the guest wing into the courtyard.Disrespectful brat.Lore noticed the mark on her arm was faded, almost gone entirely. She wouldn’t have much time left before the lingering benefits of the mark disappeared and she drowned.

Maybe they could stay a little longer...

“Unfortunately, the ill-mannered one is right. Say your goodbyes. It won’t be long before she drowns down here,” the queen stated, her voice implying that the thought of Coretha drowning didn’t sound as awful as it maybe should have. Lore grinned. The queen turned to Jaladri. “My love, have a servant fetch my pipe, will you? I shall enjoy a puff since we are going to the surface.” Prince Consort Jaladri winked at Lore before withdrawing from the inner pocket of his cloak one delicately crafted long-stemmed pipe. “Already done, my queen.”

For some reason, the image of the queen puffing on a pipe did not surprise Lore one bit. This queen deserved statues in her honor, she was that dynamic. Lore wished she’d had time to hear stories from her youth. Maybe one day she would learn how the two of them met.

“I’m going to double-check with Prince Hazen that this is really what he wants,” Finndryl murmured against her ear.

Lore nodded and turned, surveying the courtyard. She still had the issue of Syrelle... and whether or not he would pose a threat once back on land. Lore eyed him where he lingered by the tree in the center of the courtyard, his gaze not upon the lovely blooms that had appeared overnight nor the fish flitting from flower to flower, but fixed far away, unseeing. He wore long sleeves. Lore couldn’t tell if his mark remained or not. Officially, without him, they wouldn’t have been able to save the siren kingdom. The queen may have extended him the same offer to keep the Puallas Kiss, and why wouldn’t she?

He hadn’t betrayedher.

Syrelle must have felt her gaze on him because he turned, his eyes immediately latching onto her.

Lore crossed the courtyard. Her knees suddenly weak. She forced her arms to swing by her sides and not let her fingers lock, twist, show any of the anxiety that gnawed on her bones. She tooka deep breath. “So, this will be goodbye, correct?” She aimed for lightness. “You aren’t devising any last-minute schemes over here?”

Syrelle winced. “No schemes. Coretha and I return to Wyndlin.”

Lore shook her head. “I’m supposed to believe that you are simply... letting me go.”

Syrelle took a hesitant step forward, reaching out as if to touch her. Lore recoiled, eyes flashing a warning.

“Don’t,” she said sharply. “Just... don’t.”

Syrelle’s hand fell back to his side as he nodded slowly. “I know I’ve hurt you,” he admitted, his voice thick with remorse. “But I swear to you, I was doing what I thought was... was the best way to protect you from him.” His gaze flicked to Coretha, who sat slumped on a bench, waiting for the siren to escort her to shore. His voice lowered, quickened as if he had to say this despite Coretha possibly overhearing. “I am rooting for you, Lore. I hope that you findAuroradel, bind it to you, but please, do not confront the king. Promise you won’t—”

Lore gave a slow, disbelieving head shake. “Why? Why shouldn’t I confront him?” She narrowed her eyes, her eyebrows pulling together. “What do you know, Syrelle? What are you not telling me?”

She could see the jagged edge of terror in his eyes and watched as he worked his jaw but said nothing.

Lore laughed, the sound hollow, derisive. He wasn’t ever going to tell her the entire truth. He was never going to give her therespectof providing her all the information, every layer, so that she could make an informed decision.

He wasdeterminedto keep her in the dark—well, she was through with the dark.

Lore huffed a breath as anger bloomed within her. She balled her hands into fists. “I am not a child in need of protection—even now, you are withholding information from me. But no—” She shook her head, tensing her jaw. “I can’t let myself wonder or be dragged into thewhys of it all.” She jabbed a finger at him. “I cameto say this: Do not follow me. Do not stand in my way. If you try to hinder me from findingAuroradel, it will be a fight that only one of us will walk away from.” She stepped toward him, her expression severe, her eyes blazing with determination. “Syrelle, I willdiebefore I let you control or manipulate my actions again. I will die before I let you win.”

Syrelle flinched as if struck. “I understand,” he said softly. “But know this, Lore. If youeverneed me, all you must do is ask.” His voice wavered, and he gazed upward for a moment, collecting himself. “You won’t believe me, you can’t believe me, and that’s my fault... but I will always choose you.”

Lore swallowed, clenching her jaw. The only thing he waschoosingto do was continue to withhold information from her—maintaining her ignorance and, therefore, putting her life at risk. Lore blinked back tears and simply turned away.

If he’d wanted to share his knowledge with her, they had had days when Coretha could not watch his every move. They’d trekked to a volcano and back—he could have told her then. She wasn’t sure how she had expected this conversation to go as she’d walked over here... but she supposed she had the best outcome she could’ve asked for. He’d confirmed what she’d heard—he and Coretha were returning to Alytheria. The opposite side of the ocean from where she was heading. That was the most she could hope for. Did she fully believe it? She would be stupid to. But it was enough, for now, just hearing that he would not pursue her orAuroradel.

She left Syrelle behind and walked back to Finndryl, a sentinel of solace waiting for her with their packed bags. Lore shouldered hers. The canvas sack was light, mostly empty, save for a few outfits and toiletries that she would have to wash and dry once they were back on land.

---