Page 30 of Prince of Tides
“Aprince?” I cried. “Who the fuck are you, Rip? Since youclearlydon’t work for my father. I trusted you! And you just lied to me. Let me believe you were a grounds crew worker at my father’s?”
“I didn’t want to,” he said as if that made any difference. “It’s … a complicated story.”
“Right. Well, keep it to yourself,” I said. “I don’t need it or any of your damn tea either.”
I stalked over to the door, leaving Rip standing in his spot, defeated.
“I can’t believe I trusted you. I drove you home. Though, I guess, being a prince and all, you’re used to people doing things like that for you. It must have felt natural.”
“Laurie,” he pleaded, stepping toward me.
“No, you know what? No. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want anything to do with it, thank you. Nope. Not interested.” I walked out of the door before I could second-guess myself.
Too much had happened that day. Too much change and drama, and just when I thought maybe there was a calm in the storm, a helping hand, I go and find out he’s royalty.
I spun around and went back inside. “Prince of what?” I asked, staring at him.
“That’s a long story,” he said.
“Why? Just tell me where it is. It’s really quite simple.”
Rip smiled, though it was devoid of real joy. “No, actually, it’s not.”
“Fine, whatever. Have your secrets,” I said, fed up entirely with his avoidance.
I took the elevator and stormed to my car. I was going back to my parents’ place. Better my shame and embarrassment with them than being tricked and deceived by yet another person in my life.
I’d had enough of that for one day, thank you very much!
Chapter Seventeen
Rip
Staring into the mirror, I watched as Laurie hugged her father and mother before setting off from their house. The holidays were over, and she was heading back to the big city, from what I could discern. Audio didn’t translate through the mirror, but I knew the date, and I figured she was headed to her home after spending the week with her family.
It made me happy to see smiles all around and no signs of tension, even though she’d left alone. I’d checked in on her daily, several times, when my duties permitted, to ensure everything was okay. But, despite my secret longing, the Watching Mirror had never again deposited me outside her bedroom.
I could only look from a distance.
There had been no further signs of Eric, which was a relief. However, there was a lot of pain and crying, which struck several chords within me. I should have been there, helping her, consoling her. Instead, I’d pushed too hard, too fast, and driven her away.
A time would come when I could return to Earth and pursue Laurie therightway, but the Deeps were their most active at that time of year, and incursions were rampant. I spent more time in the water than—
The alarms began to blow. A new incursion had been sighted.
Sighing, I pulled myself away from the mirror and headed for the door. I paused for a moment just before pulling it open to stare at the spear in a rack off to the right. The shaft gleamed a green-metallic color, rippling in the light, indicating its magical origins. I didn’t know from what material it was made. Nobody did. The Spear of the Heir was a powerful weapon bestowed upon the Tidal Clan in the mysterious foundations of our world.
But it’s no Trident of the Seas.
The weapon of the Prince of Tides was in the throne room, its base embedded in the very throne itself. Only the prince himself could remove it and wield its protective power. Many had tried to draw it, including me, but to no avail. Only when I had passed the Test and had the blessing of the God-King would I be able to wield it.
So, until then, the spear would have to do.
I snatched it off the rack and walked out into the corridor, heading for the War Room, where information would be coming in about where the incursion had occurred and what sector would be hit.
“Speak!” I barked as I entered the room, waving people back into their seats. “What do we have?”
“Lord Crest is reporting pressure in the Eastern Fire Sector!”
