Page 154 of In Rising Tides

“I spoke with her before I came to check on you today.”

Lyra frowned. “Why?”

Nerida’s lips twitched as she tried to staunch the smile that was rapidly blossoming on her face.

“I figured out the words to undo the bargain!”

Lyra’s mouth dropped, and she covered it with her hand. “You lie?”

“No,” Nerida practically squealed the word.

The weight on Lyra’s chest evaporated, and she took a deep breath. They were one huge step closer.

“Bargains are like braids,” Nerida said. “You’ll have to start at the crown and unweave it to the bottom. So I think you’ll have to go back to the land.”

Lyra grimaced. “I knew that much already.”

Nerida clasped Lyra’s hand in hers. “It’s more dangerous on land. The humans don’t want you to break the Tithe.”

Lyra rolled her eyes. She wasn’t afraid of the humans. Not anymore.

“I can handle myself.”

Nerida squeezed her hand. “I still worry.”

“How sisterly of you.” Lyra’s lips kicked up in a crooked grin.

“Don’t be annoying.” Nerida pushed her hand away, rising from the bed. “Estria mentioned needing to draw power from the land.”

“A ley line,” Lyra muttered under her breath.

“I didn’t even think of that, of course!” Nerida tipped her head back to the ceiling. “I’ll get you a map.”

Lyra shook her head and swam over to her vanity. Her room seemed to vibrate, but it must have been her mind still recovering from wielding.

She plopped onto the stool and held her head in her hands.

“There’s one that runs through the reef.”

Her door sprang open, and Drystan appeared. His face was twisted with fury, and then he blinked, and it melted away. His eyes met hers through the sea glass.

“You are well?”

She turned in her seat to face him. “I am.”

Nerida’s head swiveled from Lyra to Drystan, and she bit her lip. “I’ll just …” She sped through the door and gave Lyra one last, impish grin.

Drystan shut the door behind her and crossed his arms over his massive chest.

“That was a foolish, reckless?—”

“Are you yelling at me?” Lyra reeled back. “I saved our lives!”

“You killed them all!” A blush bloomed on his cheeks, and he roughly raked his hands through his hair. “Not a single one survived!”

“Good,” Lyra snapped. “You’re just upset you weren’t strong enough to do it yourself.”

Drystan balled his hands into fists.