The old man looked up at the stormy sky. "Because I remember when the sea sang freely. When tides were calm. Now, there's silence. Something's coming. And you…" He looked at Julian, eyes heavy with age, "You're in the heart of it."
Julian bowed his head slightly.
"I suggest you return to your manor quickly. She may not be royal in title yet—but the sea never chooses wrongly."
And just as he turned, he heard the old man's voice again.
"Another way of protecting the things we love when they burn so bright is to lower the flames, Julian... If she must know, then, she must be ready."
As Julian vanished into the shadows of Rosebury once more, the wind carried with it a warning. A shift.
And the tide… had begun to turn.
His wildflower wasn't ready of course, and as much he wanted to explore, she needed help and he wouldn't be able to give her but the sea creature itself. Doram...
He would search for him.
