Page 94 of In Violent Waves

Wilder had halted beside her, but did not speak as she inspected the painting.

“A painting.”

“Obviously, but what is it of?”

“The Eclipse Battle. The last battle between the Wilds and the Mannereds.”

She looked closer now and could see King Oberon leading the charge, his large antlers piercing the sky above him. He held a broadsword pointed at a Mannereds female. She was stunning. Her white armor was over a gown that blew in the painted wind. Her blonde hair had a hint of red to it, and there was a fierceness on her face that Lyra had seen on her own when faced with a challenge.

“Who is that?” Lyra pointed at the female.

“Queen Titania of the Mannereds.”

“She fought in battle?” Lyra asked, turning to gape at Wilder.

He snorted and gripped one of his jacket lapels in his hand. “Not only did she fight—she led. Then she brokered the treaty between our kingdoms. There would not be peace without her.”

Wilder spoke of her with such respect that Lyra questioned what else he must have thought about her.

“She’s pretty too …” Lyra goaded him.

“For an ancient, sure.”

“What’s an ancient?”

Wilder pressed his lips in a thin line, and a divot formed between his brows. “She’s very old, like older than my father. I believe she began ruling 500 years ago. Other than briefly,when her daughter went missing. Titania has held continuous authority over the Mannereds.”

“Missing?”

“Yes.”

Lyra rubbed the corner of the book. “Is she still missing?”

Wilder squinted as if he were trying to remember. “I’m unsure.”

Lyra wanted to know more. Was she kidnapped like her? Was she murdered?

“Who would know?”

Wilder stared at her, his upper lip curling back into a snarl. But she had more questions.

“Is the Queen’s daughter as pretty as she is?”

He didn’t answer.

“Is the daughter your age? How old are you?”

He glared. “216.”

She snorted. “So, pretty old?”

Wilder brushed past her without saying a word.

The guard who trailed them cleared his throat and nodded for her to continue walking. Lyra sighed. They were headed to the library, and books held all the answers. She brushed her fingers over the golden embossed title on the book Aine had given her and sighed.

If she was going to be trapped here, at least she had books to bring her comfort. Maybe they had books about the sea kingdom so she could feel close to home.

She was so lost in thought that she ran smack dab into the middle of Wilder’s back. He whirled, catching her before she could tumble to the ground. But his grip on her arm hurt.