Page 147 of In Violent Waves

“For someone who doesn’t want to get involved, you sure are bossy,” Maelys replied.

He didn’t answer and hopped back on the fence with feline grace.

“Alright, let’s try some magic. I have an idea for today—Ridge!”

Ridge and Otto halted their assault on each other.

“Did you tell her the plan?” Ridge asked, cracking his knuckles. The leather tunic he wore was two sizes too small and showed off a broad strip of muscled abs.

Lyra didn’t like the sound of that.

“What’s the plan?” Otto asked with a smile, as if he didn’t already know.

His long white hair was tied out of his face, and several new beads were tied around the ends. Lyra couldn’t tell what was carved onto them, but they looked geometric.

Maelys nodded at Ridge, who focused on the dirt in front of them. A green stalk burst from the ground, and the flower bud at the center stayed green as if it was about to bloom, but not quite.

“Tell it to bloom,” Maelys said to Lyra.

Lyra’s mouth dropped open, and an unintelligible spluttering came out.

“You can do it. It’s a plant, not a person, or a living creature. It’s just a plant.”

Ridge frowned at Maelys. “I mean, it is alive?—”

“Shhh!” Maelys snapped. “We need Lyra to try. She’ll be too scared if she thinks she’ll hurt someone. You can make the plant grow back, can’t you?”

Ridge nodded with enthusiasm. “Oh! Yes, yes, I can. Tell it to bloom. You got this.”

The magic wouldn’t budge, and it hadn’t since she had returned from their tour.

“I can’t,” Lyra whispered, closing her eyes.

She had tried. Desperately tried to wield it, but of course, now that she wanted to use it, she couldn’t.

Something had broken inside of her, and whatever it was had broken her magic as well.

“I know you’re scared, but you made a bargain with the king. You have to,” Maelys whispered.

She could feel them shift around her, could feel the weight of Wilder’s stare on her face, could hear Dust and Oak stop to watch.

“I know, but I can’t,” she choked out. Tears dripped down her face, and the cool wetness startled her enough that her eyes opened.

“Don’t push her,” Otto said. “She needs to feel ready. And she’s not.”

Maelys sighed and looked skyward. “Well, that’s all I have for you today, then.”

Lyra nodded, sucking her bottom lip into her mouth.

“Let’s join the festivities,” Ridge said, slinging an arm around Maelys. “I’m ready to eat.”

He patted his abdomen, the muscles visible through the leather.

His eagerness brought a smile to Maelys’ lips.

“We have to get ready, and then we’ll meet you guys at the ball,” Maelys said, slipping out of his reach and grabbing Lyra’s hand. “Don’t wait for us. We’ll find you!”

Maelys pulled Lyra off the grounds and past Wilder, who watched on with a disgruntled expression. Lyra frowned in return and hadn’t a clue what was about to happen.