Page 60 of In Rising Tides

Wilder would come for her.

His inaction did not mean that he had given up.

They were just regrouping.

Estria’s words resurfaced in her mind, however.

No one is coming to save you.

Lyra sat up reflexively and shook her head. It had been only a few minutes, but she had forgotten.

Forgotten who she was and what she was capable of.

No one was coming to save her.

That was fine.

She was going to be fine. No one had ever rescued her down here before.

Why should now be any different?

Her plans did not need to change.

Lyra needed to learn her magic so that she could do it on her own.

Sure, it was going to be difficult to learn how to wield her magic in a kingdom that would not see her use it or even speak of its existence. But she could figure this out.

It’d be easier if her friends were here. She hadn’t realized how much she had taken their support and belief in her for granted until now.

Otto’s words from before sprang to her mind. “I know what you are capable of …”

If only she had Otto here to tell her what to do.

Otto.

An idea hit her like a bolt of lightning.

She didn’t know if he could see her, but if he could, she could get a message to Wilder.

Lyra rose from her bed and faced the polished sea glass on her vanity. She squeezed her eyes shut.

What would she even say?

Wilder would want to know that she was safe, if Otto hadn’t seen that part already, and what her next steps were going to be.

She took a deep breath and reached for the necklace that usually nestled against her chest.

Its absence had her eyes flashing open and a groan slipping from her lips.

From the moment it had been placed around her neck, she had never taken it off. It had been a gift she received as a newborn. A gift from her mother.

Her mother.

The anguish slid slick off her heart like oil, and she struggled to breathe without crying out.

Her poor mother.

“This might be foolish … but I am alright, and I am sorry—for letting them take me.” Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat, infusing strength into her words and mind. “I had no other choice.” Her voice trembled again, and she took another steadying breath. “I met with the council, and I was forced to tell them about my feelings for you.”