Kael had never heard a sound like that before.
It wasn't music, not exactly. It was something older, something spun from salt and sorrow, from memories that hadn't been his until now. Miri's voice curved through the air like smoke, brushing his bones. He couldn't breathe, couldn't move. Lyra stood as if carved from coral, her eyes darkening with every note.
And then—just as suddenly—silence.
Miri's lips closed gently, her wide eyes reflecting starlight and something older than the stars. She looked from Lyra to Vaelen, then tilted her head with a knowing smile.
"You still hear it, don't you?" she whispered.
Kael blinked. He did. The echo of her song danced at the edge of his senses, tugging something loose in his chest.
"What was that?" he rasped.
"A lullaby," Miri said, brushing sand from her skirts. "Or a warning. Depends on who you ask."
Lyra stepped between them, her tail flicking with irritation.
"You shouldn't know that song," she said, voice low.
Miri shrugged. "Maybe I shouldn't know many things. But I do."
Before Lyra could respond, a new voice cut through the tension.
"You call that singing?"
Thalen stepped out from the shadows, his silver eyes gleaming. His presence was like a splash of cold seawater—unwelcome but bracing.
"I've heard seals make sweeter sounds."
Miri's smile didn't falter. "That depends. Have you ever kissed one?"
Kael winced. The two were already circling each other with words like knives.
"Enough," Lyra snapped. "We don't have time for this."
She turned to Kael, but he was still looking at Miri.
"You gave me something," he said slowly, touching the pouch at his neck. The sea charm. He hadn't noticed the weight until now.
Miri beamed. "To keep your heart from drowning. You'll thank me later."
Kael opened his mouth to question her further, but Elli appeared behind him, holding a damp cloth and wearing a frown.
"You're pale," she said, ignoring everyone else. "And shaking. Sit."
He obeyed. There was something grounding about her voice, like the roots of an old tree. As she pressed the cloth to his brow, Vaelen caught Lyra watching.
She looked… conflicted. As if she didn't know whether to be jealous or relieved.
Thalen muttered something under his breath and leaned against a rock. "So what now?"
Lyra's tail swept sand into the air. "Now we figure out what that song awakened."
The night deepened around them. Miri wandered the shore, humming snatches of other songs while Thalen threw pebbles at crabs. Elli stayed close to Vaelen, who was trying to make sense of the storm inside his chest.
Lyra approached him quietly. She sat beside him, tail curling protectively.
"You look like you swallowed the moon," she murmured.
Vaelen glanced at her. "I feel like I swallowed something. Not sure if it's magic or madness."
She didn't laugh. "Both, probably."
He studied her profile. "Why did that song scare you?"
Lyra was silent for a beat. Then: "Because I sang it once. Long ago. And the last time I did, someone died."
Kael swallowed. The taste of ash and honey lingered on his tongue.
As dawn approached, the tide pulled higher. Thalen remained aloof, watching the horizon. Miri curled up like a cat, humming to herself. Elli had fallen asleep.
And Lyra—she sat alone, staring out at the waves.
Kael joined her. He didn't speak.
She finally said, "There are things I haven't told you. About the curse. About me."
"Then tell me."
"Not yet." Her voice was fragile. "But soon."
A gull screamed overhead. The sun slipped over the edge of the world.
Lyra looked at him with something close to fear.
"Stay close, Kael."
He took her hand.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Even if he wanted to.