“What if?—”
“There is no room for what-ifs in this situation. What ifs will only spin you farther into destruction, Luka. We will find her.”
I stood, Declan’s hand remaining on my shoulder as I blinked rapidly. “Thank you.”
He nodded, giving me a tight-lipped smile as he clapped a hand on my back.
“We’ll get her back, I promise.”
Declan, Nico, and I decided to stay in the small coastal town, while Luciana and Kara traveled back home. Lucianawould send word via a communication crystal Nico kept in his pocket when she had another location for us to try.
It always took a couple of days after they moved for her to be able to find them again, we’d stay here until we got word from her. Declan and Nico had insisted a distraction would be good for me for a couple of days—that I’d feel better being outside the palace for a bit.
I hoped he was right.
No matter where I stayed—in Alethens or in Cel Nox—everything reminded me of her. We hadn’t told anyone of Lennox’s disappearance, not knowing if she’d want everyone to know, but it was getting harder and harder each day to keep up the scheme. Kara had taken charge of running things in her sisters absence along with Lennox’s council, I tried to help her as much as I could, not that I was ever much help for anything these days. Luciana’s mother, Caterina, and Endora, her consort, checked up on Kara constantly and helped when they could.
But none of it was ideal, only the ones closest to Lennox knew the truth. Keeping up the ruse was exhausting. I was starting to wonder if maybe we should have announced her capture to the continent.
Let everyone know what was going on.
Maybe it would help take the burden off my shoulders.
Or maybe it would make it worse.
I didn’t know what would be better, pretending she was fine or everyone knowing she was gone.
I didn’t like either option. I just wanted her back.
“C’mon.” Nico bumped against my shoulder with his knee, reaching out a hand. I allowed him to pull me to standing.
“Where are we going?”
“Declan found us a place to stay for the night. We’re going to go get cleaned up and then we’re going out.”
I groaned. “I don’t want to go out.”
“Not an option, you have to do something besides mope.”
“My wife offered herself and her magic up to an organization that wants to eliminate my entire species days after our wedding. I think I have every right to mope if I want to.”
“True.” Nico turned and faced me, walking backward. “But you’re also due for a proper distraction.” He wrinkled his nose. “And it’s not an excuse not to bathe. Lennox might not be here to smell you, but we have to.”
An hour later, we were cleaned up and sitting at a table outside of a tavern, a cup of Aquatic Court ale sitting in front of each of us. The ale was different from what I was used to, it had a note of citrus I found I enjoyed.
There was a four-person band playing what I assumed were popular Aquatic Court tunes, as several patrons sang and danced along with the music. There was a chill to the early evening air from the breeze of the sea crashing in the distance.
I sat back in my chair, relaxing slightly for the first time since Lennox was taken from me.
Declan and Nico were right, I needed this, even if it was only for a couple of hours.
Lennox was still gone, but there was nothing I could do at this moment.
They had reminded me I needed to take care of myself, and as much as I hated to admit it—they were right.
I needed to be at my best if I was going to get Lennox back.
“Luka?” I turned my head toward the voice, finding the Aquatic Kings, Ceto and Alon, approaching our table hand in hand.
