Page 108 of In Rising Tides

Cedric, Dust, Oron, and Oak stayed in the kitchen, but their postures were rigid.

“I’ll need a royal guard,” Wilder said, looking each in the eye. “Do you accept?”

“Aye,” they answered in unison.

Their answer came so quickly that it took a moment for Wilder to register what they had even said.

“We have always chosenyou,” Oron said with gusto.

The words were so out of character, a surprise for the stoic guardsman, that it slackened Wilder’s jaw.

“You must give us our appointments,” Otto said.

Wilder pushed his surprise and gratitude aside to focus on the duty at hand.

“Thank you,” he said to Oron, Dust, Oak, and Cedric.

Wilder cleared his throat and nodded. “Obviously, my court will not be built on formality. But you are all deserving of titles.”

The titles for the council differed by king. His father had chosen titles based on the elements.

There was a Lord of Fire, a Lord of Earth, a Lady of Water, and a Lady of Air.

His grandfather had chosen titles based on directions.

Lord of the North, Lady of the West, Lord of the South, and Lord of the East.

Wilder hadn’t given much thought to how he would name his own council, and he struggled to think of names now. But looking at Maelys, an idea came to mind.

“Maelys Briarlace,” she stiffened at Wilder’s words, “you are Lady of Dawn.”

Maelys beamed and tucked back a golden lock of her hair. It really did look like the sun’s golden rays.

“It is an honor, my King.”

Ridge smiled and clutched her hand to his chest. “It suits you.”

Wilder nodded. “Otto Ilmari, Lord of the Moon.”

Otto placed a hand to his chest, dipping his chin. “An honor.”

It was the perfect title for him. His skin and hair mirrored the moon’s translucent glow.

“And me? Lord of the Universe?” Ridge looked on expectantly.

They all shared a laugh at that, and Wilder shook his head.

“Not quite. Ridge Kestenbaum,” he took a breath, grinning at Ridge, “Lord of Dusk.”

Maelys kissed Ridge’s cheek, and he leaned into her lips. “And that suits you,” she muttered.

They smiled brilliantly at each other.

“That leaves us one more …” Otto said.

Wilder looked around the room expectantly before realizing there was no one else.

“We’ll have to make do,” he shrugged.