Page 146 of In Rising Tides

When they were finally out of reach of anyone who would care, Drystan slowed his pace, staying at her elbow.

“We did it,” he breathed, an unusual smile stretching his lips wide. “That was fun. I see why you did it so often.”

Lyra glanced over her shoulder to see the concentric pathways of Atlantis, the houses along the sea shelf, and the merfolk spilling out of markets and other stores.

It was a hum of activity.

It reminded her of a beehive. There were only a few figures that were standing still, but they were far enough away that she couldn’t make them out.

“Who are we hiding from?” Lyra asked, turning her attention back down the path he led her.

Drystan rolled his neck and took a deep breath. “Everyone.”

“Heavy is the crown.” Lyra snorted.

“You can say that again,” he huffed. “Besides, you looked like you needed a break from confinement.”

She watched a school of fish veer in their path and then out of it. Their silver scales flashed brilliantly before resuming their normal gray shade.

“You’re such a kind warden,” she bit out.

Drystan’s smile stretched wider. “There’s that biting wit. I’ve missed that.”

“Okay, what is going on?” Lyra stopped abruptly.

Drystan paused a moment later and turned back to face her. “What do you mean?”

“I mean—what the fuck is wrong with you?”

She put her hands on her hips and leveled her chin. He was acting strangely.

It was as if he were happy or something.

“There is nothing wrong,” he shrugged, raising his arms at his sides and looking around as if she was meaning something nearby.

Lyra pointed at him. “That. Right there. What are you doing?”

He leaned his head back with a frown. “I answered your question.” Drystan shook his head. His golden hair shimmered in the filtered light.

“You’re being weird,” she accused again.

Drystan scoffed. “How?”

“Your hair is undone,” she ticked off her fingers. “You snuck through Atlantis, you’re cracking jokes, and—and smiling.”

He rolled his eyes and swam away from her. She couldn’t help but follow.

“Are you going to explain what’s going on?”

“It’s just nice to get away,” he sighed.

Lyra’s sides and arms began to burn as they swam. She hadn’t traveled this far in quite some time.

It had been months since she had been to the reef, and as it opened up in front of them, her heart fluttered in her chest.

There was a reason she’d sought sanctuary here.

Metallic silver fish darted through the edges and crevices of the gold-and-pink coral polyps. Orange sea fans and golden stardust anemones undulated in the current.