He looks… empty.
“Lucien,” I say, climbing the stairs to stand next to him.
He doesn’t even turn his head. I join him, leaning on the railing. The sound of the constant frothing of the water below us fills the air.
My seasickness still hasn’t returned. Perhaps it’s the magic of the new Tear. If so, I’m never giving it up.
I give up on trying to read his mind. “So are we in agreement about what we do next?”
His eyes slice over to me. “Well, since it’s pretty clear that marrying me for the strength of my army and the political sense it would make is not at the top of your priorities—”
Holding up a hand, I say, “Shut it, before tossing you off this boat moves to the top of my priorities.”
“We need to go find the final Tear.”
I nod. “Killian and Alistair cannot get their hands on the power of destruction. But we need to figure out where it is first. Which is a total mystery to me. Unless you’re holding on to some crucial piece of information you’ve been saving for this moment?”
He’s silent. His hair flutters in the wind, strands catching on the branches of his crown.
I guess that’s a no.
I sigh. “Have you ever gotten a vision from the Tear you wear as a necklace, like the visions we received from our crowns?”
Lucien straightens, pushing away from the railing slightly. Then he reaches up and dips his hand beneath the fabric at his breastbone and hooks his fingeraround the chain there. His Tear catches the morning sun, and rainbow light darts over his face.
“No,” he admits. “Never from this one.”
“It’s the same with my mother’s necklace,” I say. “I’ve been wearing it for more than a week now. Not to mention other times I’ve worn it, before the coronation. No visions. No revelations. Nothing.”
“You think the visions are going to lead to the last Tear?” Lucien’s voice is contemplative.
I shrug. “They might not. It’s worth a shot, though.”
After a pause, my mind jumps into motion. Lucien seems to notice and lifts a brow at me. “What if we switched the necklaces?” I propose.
“Switched them,” Lucien repeats as if I suggested we toss them into the sea.
“Exchanged them. Maybe the necklaces need to be worn by someone outside our particular family lines to activate the memories they hold?”
The eyebrow remains raised, but he shrugs.
“We’re running out of options,” he admits.
“Let’s go down to the lower deck,” I suggest as he lifts the chain over his head. If I’m going to faint again, like when I put on Lucien’s crown, I’d rather someone were around to catch me.
Someonebesidesthe infuriating Siphon king.
He wraps the chain of the necklace around his fist twice as if to secure his grip on it. “Feeling separation anxiety from your loyal guardian?”
Warm satisfaction floods me as I look down on Stark, his face upturned. He’s watching Lucien closely for signs of treachery.
“Sure,” I say lightly. Not even Lucien’s taunts can upset the deep contentment I’ve felt ever since waking up this morning with Stark’s arm tight around me.
Down on the lower level, Lucien holds tight to his necklace, eyebrow raised. “Show me yours.”
“Ready,” I say, holding up my opal.
Lucien frowns slightly as we complete the exchange, necklaces settling on each of our necks. My heart thuds heavily as I wait for a vision to take me. I cantell that Lucien is bracing for just the same. His eyes are shut, his brow is drawn, and his head is tilted to the side just so.
