Ripples (DROPLETS Trilogy Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

conviction.
         No one moved or spoke and Tunder pressed on, “Think about it, it’s the only thing that makes sense. Lissie escaped and I’m sure Morven was furious. He either killed Patrick or Patrick died on his own. But what was Morven left with? A shattered plan. So instead of trying to break through our defenses again to find Lissie, he decided to substitute her with another human.
         “And then there was the strange merman that Lissie and Elik met,” he added. “He had mentioned that there was no human in the castle and that he had arrived two weeks ago. He was a smaller build than all the Hyven and he didn’t warn the castle of our whereabouts. Wouldn’t it make sense that while we are distracted and trying to rescue Patrick, Morven has already moved on and created a new warrior? It’s the perfect cover. This soldier was the new warrior just like the girl is Morven’s new siren.” Tunder ended with finality.
         Like a rock thrown through a stain glass window, I watched this new life crumble away and I closed my eyes not wanting to accept the words he was speaking. The truth was too much to bare even though I knew it in my heart. Everything was over and I was free to go.
         King Oberon cleared his throat. “Lissie,” he addressed me in a formal manner. “It seems that you are no longer needed here, nor will Lathmor harbor you as a fugitive anymore. That said,” he held up his hand to ward off Tunder’s objections. “I now ask you to leave Lathmor and to never come back.” I could see that the king was only doing what was right for his people. He did not find me as a threat and I tried to show him that I understood.
         “Yes sir,” I said nodding in his direction. A sob collected in my throat, but I held it back. “I thank you and your merfolk for your hospitality and help.” Without another word, I turned on my heel and left the throne room. I couldn’t help but feel as though I was walking away from my real life and returning to a fake one instead.
     
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    “I don’t see how you can just leave us,” Nixie said softly and I wondered if I would ever see her again after today. The girls, Tunder, Elik, Daggin, and I were in Kryssa’s room.
         “I don’t have a choice in the matter.” I said and she made a face. “Besides I probably would’ve done this on my own anyway.” The tears that I had held back in the throne room were beginning to build up within my chest. I needed to get out of here.
         “Why?” There was pain in Kryssa’s voice that I didn’t want to address.
         “All of it,” I waved a hand around the room, “all of you are just a reminder of what I could’ve had.” I smiled pitifully and shook my head from such thoughts. I took a deep breath to steady myself. “Do you have one of the those packs on hand?”
         “You’re leaving now?” Daggin’s deep voice questioned and I nodded without looking at him.
         “Makes no sense to wait,” I knew I sounded foolish but didn’t care.
         “Don’t do anything rash.” Tunder was sitting next to his wife on the edge of the bed. His eyes were tired and his face more solemn than I had ever seen it. In one instant everything that I had been feeling since the moment I knew Patrick was gone, seemed to coalesce into a raging fear that was cloaked in unrestrained anger.
         “Don’t do anything rash?” I snapped. “Oh, let’s not do that again. The last time I did something rash I escaped Hyvar without showing Patrick I was still alive.” Tunder tried to butt in, but I pressed on, knowing the guilt was all mine. “I could have let him know that I was okay, instead I ran. I was a coward, and now he’s gone. He’s gone because of me!” I stabbed a finger into my chest and let the built up tears roll down my cheeks. No one would look me in the eye and it made me feel even worse, but for a moment I reveled in the