Page 54 of In Rising Tides

Drystan snapped his fingers, and the council fell silent.

“She is seeing,” Drystan explained.

“The strands of fate are tangled, but the strongest path shows the elf prince before the High King. Wilder has returned to the Wilds …”

There was a faint glow coming from Estria’s eyes. It was different from what Otto’s did when he was seeing. His had swirled like smoke, while hers shimmered like the sun’s rays upon water.

Lyra’s heart thundered in her chest.

“Probably to gather reinforcements,” Lir muttered, glaring at Lyra. “If he does—we should execute her now and be done with it.”

“Would that not spark a war with the elves?” Rigel questioned.

“How could they go to war over the death of a mermaid? Surely their king would see it as foolish,” Caspian droned. “We’ll hand over her body and wash our hands of this mess. They won’t launch a thousand ships for naught.”

Estria’s body froze, but her hands opened and closed as if she was beckoning something from the shadows.

“Wilder has kneeled—kneeled before the High King’s command.”

Lyra found herself floating towards the witch.

“And?” Drystan asked, leaning forward too.

The muscles of his chest strained as if he were holding himself back from shaking the answers out of her.

“Denial,” her voice was lighter than a whisper.

Lyra assumed the High King had denied Wilder assistance.

What would Wilder do now?

Would he do something foolish?

Would he fight for her?

“What is happening?” Lyra said, trying to keep the tremble from her voice.

She felt herself breathing quickly despite the tightening of her chest.

Estria clasped her hands in front of her chest as a slow smile curled her lips. “The High King has ordered him to pick an elvish bride.”

Lyra’s nostrils flared.

Wilder would never. He lovedher.

Drystan chuckled. “Of course he did. That is what I would do if my heir sought something so foolish.”

Lir crossed his arms over her chest. “And what did the prince say?”

“Nothing,” Estria said, her eyes becoming clear as she dropped her hands to her side. “His fight has been extinguished by duty.”

Drystan smiled ruefully and shook his head. “Then it was all a farce.” He turned to look at Lyra. “They used and then abandoned you. It is their way.”

Hadrian cleared his throat. “So then they will not be starting a war for her return?”

“There is no threat of war in the strands of fate I now see,” Estria waved off the words with a flourish of her hand.

Drystan shook his head. “Oh, there will still be war. But we will be bringing it to them. They used my betrothed against her will. Twisted her mind and heart. I will see them punished for that.”