Page 29 of In Rising Tides

“We’re not from Atlantis, Your Highness.”

Lyra waved a hand. “You needn’t bother with the formalities. It’s Lyra.”

They both bore identical looks of submission, their eyes dropping to the floor.

It had Lyra stifling a sigh born of irritation. Her time on land had done well to bury that side of her life.

She had had a voice there, and an opinion.

“So which territory are you both from?” Lyra tried again. “I’m assuming you’re from the same place. You are sisters, right?”

This time, the one with silver hair answered. “We’re from Zeal.”

“Your Highness,” the other finished, shooting her sister a glare.

Lyra chuckled at the bond they shared. It reminded her so much of her bond with Maelys.

“And what are your names?” Lyra asked, realizing she had yet to learn how to address them.

“I am Verilia,” the one with silver-streaked hair replied.

“And I’m Taria,” her sister answered.

“It’s nice to meet you, Verilia and Taria.”

She felt their hands still in her hair before they lowered their bodies in a bow.

Lyra realized a moment too late that it probably wasn’t common to address servants by their given names.

“My sister, Enna, is the princess of Zeal.”

Lyra could recall her middle sister by only physical details. She hardly knew Enna at all. But she had a vibrant coral tail that Lyra remembered being envious of, and rich olive skin from basking in the clear, bright waters of Zeal.

That territory was well-known for the antiquity of its temples. Many had flocked there on pilgrimage to Ennosidas.

The temples were so old that they had been standing before the formation of their kingdom.

Verilia and Taria grinned exuberantly at the mention of Enna, however. “We serve her, Your Highness.”

Lyra was surprised by their excitement. It was the most emotion they had shown thus far.

“We had only just arrived in Atlantis before Prince Adamaris volunteered us to King Drystan. He had heard you were without maids,” Taria said, speaking with a sort of reverence when she mentioned the Prince of her homeland.

Lyra knew even less about Adamaris than she could remember of Enna, but she had often heard it whispered that he had the most unusual reputation.

He was the kindest of all the princes and certainly the most beloved.

But it would be hard to find an enemy in a territory known for peace like Zeal.

“And how is my sister?”

She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen Enna. Had it been at Cora’s wedding?

“Princess Enna is well,” Verilila responded. “She recently returned from Huron after the birth of Princess Marmoris seventh child.”

Lyra choked in surprise. “Seventh?”

Gods, did they do anything besides breed?