Chapter 20: What the Quay Saw

The ring turned over once in the green water and landed in Kyros's open hand.

I saw it from above, through the clear skin of the pool.

His fingers closed.

He slid it onto the pale band of skin where it had always sat, and the whole trench lit from within.

The sea came home.

I felt it before I heard it, a long deep shudder through the reef, and then the roar rolled in from the horizon.

A wall of green water came over the flats with the evening light on its back.

It lifted every leaning boat on the harbor floor and set it upright with a clap.

It took the pool's still, hard water and broke it into foam.

My legs came free, and I was swimming, and the sea was carrying me down.

I found Zoe in the dark with the chain of pearls coiled round her ankles.

Kyros had her already.

He had one arm around her and the other hand on the chain, and the chain was coming apart in his grip, pearl by pearl, each one turning to grey dust.

She coughed and laughed in his arms, with her eyes wide.

"Did you see?" she said, and bubbles went up. "I threw it right in your hand!"

"I saw."

"I told you the sea likes me."

"It does."

"It likes you too, Papa. It's very pleased you're back."

His whole face crumpled.

I took them both in my arms, and the three of us rose together on a slow, warm lift of tide.

We broke the surface to a noise I will never forget.

The quay was screaming.

Not in fear. The whole harbor was cheering, and clanging pots, and the bells had started again.

The tide was above the first step, and it was still coming.

Ligeia stood alone on the reef rock where we had left her.

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