Page 75 of In Rising Tides

Pain lanced through her as the spikes stabbed further into her. She wondered if the magic also kept her from bleeding or if everyone would see the blood stain her white gown.

Drystan sighed and dropped his hand.

“I told you that I loved you—and I meant it. I’m going to rule this kingdom, and I want you at my side. Not behind me.Besideme.”

She wanted to scream at him.

Is that why you offered me up as a hostage to our enemies? You bartered me away to further your own goals and then accused me of turning my back on our people.

I will never trust you.

But instead, she pointed a single finger at the collar around her throat.

Her throat was surely blistering from the heat that flared each time she merely desired to speak.

He stared at her for a heartbeat. She must not be bleeding then. He didn’t react as if she had been.

“The ceremony awaits, and we shouldn’t be late,” he said, turning away from her. He gestured to the door and held out an arm for her to take.

Lyra didn’t move.

Drystan turned around to see her staying put and crossing her arms over her chest.

“If you come with me now—and behave—I will remove the collar after the ceremony.”

She would do anything to have this collar removed, and he knew it.

But she didn’t move.

She didn’t trust him.

“I promise,” he said through gritted teeth, placing a hand on his chest.

Lyra conceded and brushed past him out of her room.

Drystan’s promise rang in her ears as they made their way into the throne room.

Off.

The collar would come off.

He didn’t speak to her the entire way there. It was a relief, partially. But the hallways felt more ominous than they ever had before.

It took Lyra a moment to figure out why.

There was not a hint of life in the halls.

Barnacles and sea fans had been scraped off the coral. Fish didn’t dart past the openings, and the tentacles that usually lit the space and twirled along the current remained frozen.

Fear tightened the spaces between her ribs, and she took a deep breath to steady herself.

Casting her eyes to the side, Drystan appeared tense. His shoulders were rigid, and a muscle in his jaw feathered.

Singing echoed down the hall, and the luminescence overhead flickered.

He met her gaze and pressed a finger to his lips when her eyes widened.

Lyra pulled against his grip, and he reluctantly let go. She pointed to her ears.