Page 90 of In Violent Waves

“Nope.” Lyra pronounced the “P” like a pop. “There is no need for physical activity outside of labor in the home. Females don’t have jobs.“

“That is quite a strange societal construct,” Oberon said.

Lyra glanced around the room before answering him. “One could say that.”

“And what would you say?” Aine prompted with a tilted head and arched brow.

Lyra shrugged. “It’s not for me to say.”

“You mean you’re not allowed an opinion.” Lyra frowned at that. “Tell me, child, why do you want to go back?”

And there it was, the most obvious question.

“Because it is my choice,” Lyra replied. “I didn’t have one in coming here. And I don’t enjoy being where I’m not wanted.”

Wilder couldn’t stop the laugh that rumbled out of him. “And you believe you’re wantedthere?”

“Wilder!” his mother admonished

But Lyra didn’t balk at his retort. This was a language she understood.

“It’s myhome. It’s where I belong.” She glared at Wilder but twisted the napkin in her lap. “I miss the steady pull of the current that matched the beating of my heart, my friends, and the familiarity.” She looked down. “And unfortunately, I missed my wedding. I do hope my fiancé isn’t too furious with me, since it wasn’tmyfault. ”

Aine’s head volleyed back and forth through their exchange. But his father didn’t look away from Lyra.

“There’s so much fire in her for her to be from the water,” he said.

Wilder only nodded. She had surprised him, carving out an opinion of herself in their minds in a few brief moments.

Yet, he still didn’t know how he truly saw her or felt. But something about how she had talked about her home led him to believe she wasn’t being truthful—again.

At last, their dinner was served. Roasted meat over a bed of fresh greens. It wasn’t an extravagant meal, but it was delicious.

Lyra dug in with the ferocity of someone who hadn’t eaten in several days. When she stopped chewing long enough to sip her water, she studied the bookshelves before digging back into her food.

After they finished their meal and were waiting for dessert, the silence was broken again.

“Lyra, do you like to read?” Aine asked after catching her reading some spines behind her.

A blush bloomed high on Lyra’s cheeks, causing blood to roar in his ears. It quieted in time for him to hear her reply.

“Very much so.”

Aine nodded and smiled. “Wilder, be a dear and escort her to the library after dinner. Let her pick out anything her heart desires.”

Wilder’s shoulders rose with his agitated breath, but Lyra beamed at his mother.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Aine waved her off. “There’s no need for formalities. Lest we not forget why you’re here.”She shot a look at Oberon, who was conscious enough to look bashful. “We will do our best to make your time here pleasant, no matter the circumstances that brought you here.”

So, his mother was still not on board with this plan. It was unlike her to be this open about her disagreement, which told him everything he needed to know about her attitude towards his father.

Wilder was relieved. It was about time she had shown her backbone more quickly when the mood arose.

He had only wished she had done the same—for him.

“How did you know about the Tidal Tithe?” Lyra asked, sliding her gaze to Oberon.