Page 51 of Waves
“Thank you, Majesty.”
“Of course. Sometimes, people who truly deserve each other meet. And when they do, magic happens. Embrace your magic.”
And then I went out into the hall, shutting the door behind me, and feeling—for once— more like the fairy godmother than the evil queen.
Sahar metme in the mayor’s sitting room, all smiles. The good mood seemed pervasive this morning, which alone would have made me happy. But the sight of the person standing beside her catapulted my cheer into the sky.
Ryan Hale raised his hand in greeting inside the giant bubble encasing his body. He reminded me of a butterfly specimen, or a necklace kept in a glass jewelry case, but the very sight of the stern, dark, half-giant whose head loomed high over mine sent giddy flutters through me so that I nearly danced on my toes.
“King Hale!” I tried to remain proper and demure with my greeting, but it proved impossible when his handsome face split into a wide grin.
My sister’s husband was always handsome, but when he smiled, those long eyelashes of his and those broad lips just turned somehow more magnificent than before.
I ran at him, arms spread, ready to embrace him the way I typically did Declan. But the head of my sister’s army backed behind my adviser as if to hide from me. “Avia! You can’t pop my bubble.”
Clapping my hand to my forehead, I froze, cringing at my own actions. “Sorry. Sorry. Thrilled to see you.”
He gave a nod back, which was easily visible because he was far taller than Sahar. “I’m still getting the hang of this magic,” he added, by way of explanation. “Might take a few more years.”
I nodded in sympathy because learning to master one’s magic was hard, and now I could only imagine what it was like to have it swapped.
Sahar grinned as she announced, “The General has stated that the first boat of trade goods from Evaness is on its way to Palati.”
“Declan is sending some grain and hoping we can get a delivery of tuna in return.”
“Excellent. I’m sure we can draw that up right away.” I gestured for him to take a seat to iron out details and went to call for cakes and tea.
But he shook his head. “Just passing through. I have border security to take care of, but Bloss asked me to lay eyes on you and make sure you’re okay.”
“Always worrying, that big sister,” I stated, gently though because I appreciated her worry but also because I knew she was right to fear for me.
It was on the tip of my tongue to mention my issues with the rebels and get Ryan’s input, on the tip of my tongue to mention I thought Raj might be hiding in exile somewhere in my kingdom…but then the General spoke.
“We’d also like to offer those who have family in Evaness the opportunity to visit. Short visits, limited number of visitors at first, since neither of us is well-prepared right now for a mass influx of travelers. We’ve still got a lot of repairs to do after all our battles. Damaged cities and all that. But it could go a long way toward helping people reconnect with their families.”
It felt as if a flower bloomed inside my chest right then. Soft petals brushed against my ribs and made the current tickle beautifully. That wasexactlywhat I wanted. Hoped for.
This isolated kingdom needed the chance to reconnect. People from Okeanos needed the chance to travel the world. To build bridges with the people on land so that suspicion didn’t continue to cause a chasm between us. It would allow people to see we weren’t so different, that at the end of the day, all sky breathers and swimmers alike just wanted to take care of their families and watch their children grow up safe and happy.
It took every bit of strength I had not to cry.
“That sounds wonderful.” I nodded and gestured toward Sahar. “Do you think you have that written that up? And I was thinking that Keelan might be good at helping spread the word.” Her son always knew just what to say to get the best out of people and I needed this program to do well, so many of my hopes were tied to it.
“Perfect plan, Majesty,” Sahar nodded formally, giving me an encouraging look.
“How is everyone?” I asked since the perfunctory business was over. Ryan, unlike Connor, did not deal in all the courtly niceties. But, of course, I was family, so he didn’t really need to.
“They’re well. Busy.So busy. As I’m sure you are since you haven’t written your sister.”
Guilt twisted my expression into one of regret. “Yes. Busy. Each tournament event has been in a different town, so we’ve been traveling quite a bit.” My explanation stopped short of mentioning the rebels. Perhaps I would have if Bloss had come herself, or maybe even if it was Declan. But Ryan and I had never been close, he was clearly intent on leaving, and he was also clearly in the mood to lecture. None of that made me inclined to share more with him.
There was also a humiliation factor to admitting that I was unwanted. Hated. Reviled. It made my stomach churn and worse—made me ashamed of myself. Of course, that then spurred the growing darkness inside of me. That inhumane bit that knew violence was in my future.
But not today. I'd put unpleasantness off until tomorrow and embrace this small town, which thus far had been a haven from all the corrosive hatred. Perhaps when I returned to the palace, the anger would have died down, diluted by time, as many emotions are.
So, I kept my mouth closed and left tomorrow’s problems for tomorrow.
“A tournament in every town? I hear that carriage rides can provide an excellent opportunity for correspondence.” His comment was a direct cut.
