“Too bad you didn’t wait to show up after my party,” she snaps.

“I’m sorry, Doe,” I say, even though I know she won’t accept an apology. “I didn’t mean to crash your party. I totally forgot it was even happening tonight.”

I know I’ve said the wrong thing when her eyes—piercing blue surrounded by a thick ring of squid-ink liner—narrow menacingly.

“I didn’t mean tha—”

“Nice to know my major milestones rank so highly on your social calendar,” she snaps. “I’ll be sure to return the favor on your next birthday.”

With a flick of her tail fin, she jets over me and Peri, sending a bowlful of cocktail shrimp swirling around us. This just isn’t my day. Or my week. Or maybe my life.

No, sadly, this is my life.

“Don’t sweat Dosinia,” Peri says, trying to soothe me like a best friend does. “She’s been a sea witch all week. My mom nearly told her to go have someone else make her coming-out gown. And you know how much Mom will take before she blows her top.”

Peri’s mom is practically a saint, but Doe could try the patience of Old Man River himself.

“Doe means well,” I say, mainly trying to reassure myself. As my only girl cousin, she should be like a sister. “Tonight is a big night for her. And I totally ruined it.”

I do feel sorry for her. This was supposed to be her huge debut, her official introduction to the royal court and an invitation for eligible mermen to begin courting her—not that Doe hasn’t been dating for years, but now it’s official. Suitors will be lining up to woo her, guaranteed. First, because she’s the king’s niece. Considering how Daddy scared away all my prospective suitors, that’s as close to the throne as most eligible young mermen will get. And second, she’s gorgeous. With her long, caramel blond hair, hot pink and purple fins, full glossy lips, and eyes that could hypnotize a boy in under twenty seconds, she’ll have her pick of the kingdom.

Tonight should have been about her, not the blowfish biker boy with broad shoulders and an enchanting smile and—

“Then I dragged her into the stall and pulled her onto my lap,” Quince says, loud enough for me to hear halfway across the ballroom.

The entire assembly, listening with rapt attention, bursts out laughing. Even Daddy.

“I’m going to kill him,” I tell Peri as I kick off toward the group.

As I swim up, he’s saying, “So there she is, tears streaming down her face, but still ready to—”

“There you are!” I shout over what he’s about to say. I swim down to his side and wrap an arm around his waist, squeezing tight and digging my fingernails into the flesh of his rib cage. “Why don’t we let the council members go congratulate Dosinia on her debut? You can tell your stories later.”

I give him a look that clearly states that by “later,” I mean “never.” Not that he takes any of my hints. He gets that infuriating self-assured smile on his face, slides one strong arm around my shoulders, and squeezes back. His eyes hold mine captive as he says, “Whatever you say…Princess.”

I smile through gritted teeth, waiting for his audience to drift away so I can tell him what I’m really thinking. Although I bet he can guess.

When we’re somewhat alone, I say, “Do not embarrass me in front of my people. I’m a member of the royal family, and I will not have my dirty gossip spread throughout the seven seas.”

His eyes soften, and all that obnoxious cockiness melts away. “I wasn’t trying to—”

“Well, you were,” I insist. “And while you may never have to see these people again, I have to live the rest of my life here, and I don’t want them snickering about me behind my back or doubting my judgment.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, sounding sincere. “It won’t happen again.”

“Good.”

I’m not sure how to deal with an apologetic Quince. Especially when something in my gut tells me his remorse is real. This knowledge stuns me for a second—even knowing the bond is creating this connection, it feels so…natural.

“The rest of your life, huh?” he asks, popping my focus.

“What?”

“You’re moving back here permanently,” he says, his emotions now carefully guarded. “When? After graduation?”

“Probably—”

“There’s the happy couple!” Daddy swims over, his two closest advisers in his wake.

I still can’t get over how happy he looks. I don’t get it. Every merboy I even spared a second glance got the third degree and threats of deportation to the Mariana Trench—the merworld equivalent of Siberian salt mines. But Quince shows up, this idiotic, obnoxious human, and Daddy’s practically throwing a parade.

Why is this time different?

Now it’s going to break his heart when he learns this is all a huge mistake. Better to clear things up now, before he gets too attached.

“Daddy, I need to tell you—”

“There is some paperwork to fill out,” he interrupts. “Some forms and waivers that you and Quince”—he throws Quince a proud smile—“must fill out before the joining ceremony.”

“But Daddy—”

“No point in putting it off,” he continues. “My advisers have prepared the documents.”

“Daddy—”