Page 157 of In Rising Tides

Her words landed a critical blow, and he rubbed a hand across his chest.

They were eerily similar to Lyra’s words.

Wilder wasn’t choosingthislife.

There would never be a life without her.

“I choose her,” he said.

“Then let’s at least try. Magic is stronger on the equinox. It should help.”

Wilder nodded, stuffing his hands into his pockets. It was well past time they picked a path.

Jordania beamed. “I’ll get the others. And the stones!”

She hurried back up the path to the cottage in that mysterious way that made it appear she was hovering above the ground instead of hiking up the rocky path.

Wilder stayed by the shore, still pondering the choice he had made.

Otto would not be happy with him, but his choices had landed Wilder in a cell. It was high time Wilder made his own choice.

The waves crashed upon the shore in line with his breathing. He listened to its song with his eyes closed.I miss you,he wanted to tell her.

He wanted to tell her that not a moment had passed that he did not think of her, want to hold her, or feel her next to him.

In just a few short minutes, that would be possible.

The waiting was excruciating.

Rocks skittered, and he opened his eyes to see Jordania leading Otto, Maelys, and Ridge down the path.Otto stared pointedly at the ground, his tunic roughly shoved up his forearms as if he had done so out of agitation at Jordania’s summons.

Maelys gripped Ridge’s hand as he led her along. Her leather boots gleamed in the sunlight, visible through the sheer underskirt of her lavender dress. She fisted her skirts up high to not trip on them. Something about her movements reminded Wilder of Lyra tromping through the Three Sisters in her slippers.

Ridge flicked his attention from the path to Maelys. Every time his eyes met her face, his lips quirked. The dark swirls of his tattoos appeared darker in contrast to the light-olive tunic he wore.

They had all dressed more relaxed here. Even Wilder sported a black linen tunic and trousers instead of training leathers or armor. But Oron, Cedric, Dust, and Oak still flitted between leathers or armor. Wilder looked toward the cottage to see if they would be along soon.

“Baelwyn has led your guard on a unicorn sighting,” Jordania answered when Wilder’s attention flitted to the cottage. “It’s just us.”

“This is a mistake,” Otto said.

His face was shadowed by his scowl. He had never seen Otto so upset before.

“Well, I think it’s about fucking time,” Maelys snapped. She let go of her skirts and fluffed out her lavender gown.

Otto flinched and turned to gape at her.

“You’re in a mood,” he said under his breath.

“Exactly. So watch it, or I’ll set the snakes on you.”

Ridge merely chuckled with a shake of his head. “I’m here for moral support and to make sure no one dies.”

He patted Maelys’ shoulder, and Wilder was surprised when she didn’t move away out of spite.

Rocks clattered in Jordania’s fist as she palmed them. “This might take several tries. I don’t know what time would be best.”

Wilder heaved a sigh and brushed a thumb over Lyra’s necklace. “It’s fine. It’s better than doing nothing at all.”