Page 188 of In Violent Waves

“Father ordered me to kill him after we consummated our vows,” Lyra whispered.

“So that you would become the heir and no other mermen would rise and try to claim his title. It’s a smart move politically—but cruel. Rulers are meant to be challenged so that they may prove they are still worthy.”

Her mother spoke with such wisdom and humility that she could feel her heart aching. How different would her life have been if they hadn’t taken her away? Would she have become as kind as her?

“Why did you go to Atlantis in the first place?”

Odette seemed to slip back in time. A small smile graced her tired face.

“I craved an adventure.”

Lyra smiled. She had once felt the same.

“King Auris wasn’t as he is now. He was … charming and romantic.”

Bile burned the back of Lyra’s throat to hear her monstrous father spoken about in such a way.

“His wife had perished, and I was such a lost girl. We fit, in a strange way. Completed each other. He secured the throne and was at a loss for how to keep it. A single father of six daughters. It was such an enormous burden. And having been raised here, in an elvish court, I was no stranger to court politics and machinations. But he took my advice and twisted it. I thought we were building something stronger—better—together. When he held you in his arms, felt the power inside you—I lost everything that day.”

Guilt washed over Lyra like a rogue wave, pulling her down into its inescapable depths.

It had been her fault.

She had come into the world and ruined their lives.

Odette felt Lyra shift beside her and pulled her close.

“No, my daughter,” she breathed. “This was not of your doing. Not now—not ever. I failed you.”

Lyra shook her head, tears overflowing down her cheeks. “Why would you think that? He is the monster.”

Odette’s jaw clenched. “I should have seen the signs of his madness and left long before then. I thought his holding of something so innocent and pure would heal him and put an end to the sanctions he was implementing against mermaids.”

“You had no idea I would be born with such power,” Lyra argued.

“Even if you hadn’t been born with power, I still would have been bringing you into a realm ruled by a monster. I should haveprotected you first instead of believing my love for him would be enough. Will you forgive me?”

Lyra gripped her mother back, her head nestled against her neck.

“There’s nothing to forgive.”

Odette sighed, and Lyra could feel her mother’s strength waning.

“Get some rest. I will be here when you wake.”

Odette nodded, her eyes fluttered closed, and Lyra slid off the bed and onto her feet. She stumbled to the door, throwing one last look at her mother.

When she pulled the door open, she came face-to-face with Wilder. He sat against the opposite wall with one knee up, and his head rested back against the stone wall.

A comfortable, relaxed position by all outward appearances, but it was the look on his face—the devastation. He had heard her. Heard every word.

Lyra pulled the door closed behind her and then crossed her arms over her chest and leveled a look at him.

“No one likes an eavesdropper.”

“I’m sorry.” His voice cracked, and Lyra’s arms dropped to her sides as she stepped closer to him. He stood in one swift motion and wrapped her in his arms.

“I am so sorry. The pain I must have caused. The nightmares that I inflicted. I am sorry.”