Page 123 of In Violent Waves

Maybe this wouldn’t be terrible after all.

Lyra watched as Wilder’s eyes brightened with his laugh, and then his shoulders relaxed. What unbearable pressure must he be under if he had offered her a deal to enjoy the next few days? It must be very important to him, this time off, for him to have been willing to be vulnerable with her, of all people.

She couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. He didn’t take his duty lightly, and it showed in the tightened lines around his eyes and mouth. She hadn’t noticed it until after they made their deal, when he had suddenly appeared youthful and relaxed.

He had always been beautiful, but now—now it was heart-achingly apparent.

“So, a canoe ride through the Three Sisters?”

He nodded and continued to smile.

“I’ve never ridden in a canoe before.”

His eyebrows rose with surprise. “Are you serious?”

“Mhm. Haven’t had the chance. Fins and all.” She shrugged.

Wilder stared at her, and a divot formed between his brows.

“We’ll be on the water. You should be fine.”

Lyra shrugged and continued to watch the rolling, highlands drift by outside her window.

“You’re not worried, are you?” Wilder asked, struggling to understand what she was not saying.

When she didn’t respond, he leaned forward and tapped her knee.

“We called a truce, Legs. What are you not telling me?”

Her eyes burned, and she bit her lip before returning his gaze. She didn’t know if she was capable of doing it, of being his friend. But for any amount of freedom, she would try.

“Truce?” she whispered.

He sat back and nodded.

“I miss the water.”

His mouth opened before snapping shut and then opening again.

“We’ll go to the sea on the east side of the kingdom, then. There’s a place there I think you might appreciate.”

She sat up straighter at his words, and her heart fluttered against his ribs at his offer. The sea. She would get to see the sea.

“We can?”

Wilder nodded as if that settled the matter, but then muttered. “Of course. This is your opportunity for freedom, too, Lyra.”

She smiled, feeling the weight on her chest lessen. She would get to smell the ocean. Maybe even dip her toes into the water to feel its lost embrace.

This wouldn’t be an entirely awful trip, then, after all.

They traveled in silence for some time. Lyra tried to keep her multitude of questions to herself and allow Wilder some time to breathe.

It had been a good idea—this truce.

But she had so many questions now. Like, why had they avoided traveling through the kingdom? She would have liked to have seen it since she was unconscious on the way in. But maybe that had been the point? They didn’t want her to know everything. She was still the enemy.

She made a mental note to ask Wilder if they could travel through the city on their way back in. Lyra found herself extremely curious about how the elves lived in relation to each other.