Doe whistles. “Being a princess comes with perks.”

“Hey,” Brody complains, and Doe makes a kissy face at him.

I scowl. Why did Daddy send guards?

As they emerge from the surf, the gleaming pearl buttons on their royal uniforms sparkle in the midday sun. I’ve had an escort of royal guards a few times, when I stayed in Thalassinia too late to go home on my own, or when I needed to leave before dawn to get back before school. But this is the first time I’ve had a royal escort in daylight hours.

“Double whoa,” Shannen exclaims.

I follow the direction of her open-jawed stare and see another pair of guards stepping out of the sea. And another. And finally another. Eight guards in total, spines rigid and shoulders squared, stand in a line at the edge of the surf.

The only thing that ruins their intimidating military look is their legs. Below their wet-but-perfect uniform jackets, each guard sports a finkini—skin-hugging shorts made of scales the color of his tailfin.

But I’m too shocked to even giggle at their mismatched appearances. Eight guards? Since when have I ever needed more than a pair of royal guards to escort me, and then only when I’d be swimming after dark?

Echoing my thoughts, Quince asks, “Why are they here?”

“I don’t know.” I shake my head. “I had no idea they were coming.”

The head guard steps forward. “Crown Princess Waterlily,” he says as he drops to one knee and bows his head. “I am Captain Frater of the Thalassinian Royal Guard Protection School Two. We have come to escort you home.”

“Please stand,” I say, urging him back to his feet quickly, before anyone notices. “I wasn’t expecting an escort of guards. Is there a special reason why you’re here?”

And why there are so many of you?

Frater grins and then quickly regains his stern composure. “You are crown princess now. Extra precautions must be taken, according to the royal charter.”

“Oh.”

I knew becoming crown princess would mean changes—beyond actually getting my crown, of course—but I hadn’t expected this. Then again, I never had anything to prepare me. I have no older siblings to watch go through the process—I have no siblings, period. And it’s not like I’ve been spending much time in other kingdoms to see how their princes and princesses make the transition to the more elevated position. I’m adrift in this situation.

“Give me a minute,” I tell Frater. “You may, um, wait in the water.”

“Yes, Crown Princess.” He salutes and, once I return the gesture, turns and leads his school back into the surf.

“I can do this,” I say, turning back to my friends.

“Nobody could do it better,” Quince says with an assured nod.

Shannen steps close and lays her hands on my shoulders. She’s not usually the most nurturing type—she’d rather act as drill sergeant, keeping me on track with my studying or my homework or my (now former) crush on Brody—so I brace myself for an order or lecture of some kind.

Instead she says, “I believe in you.”

I nod and then, before she can back away, I wrap my arms around her in a tight hug. Shannen is nothing if not brutally honest. If she says she believes in me, then she really does. She’s not just saying it.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

She pulls away. and I give her a grateful smile.

That is just the little boost in confidence I need to calm the rest of my nerves. Sure, I’m going to be making a speech in front of the mer world’s most powerful rulers, but I know what I’m doing. I know that world and how it works—way better than I’ll ever understand life on land. Things are going to work out just fine.

“At least you’ll have good hair,” Doe says, pulling away from Brody to admire her work. She reaches out to smooth a piece of my frizz. “It would be better if you’d let me weave in some green and turquoise. . . .” She tilts her head to the side and studies me. “But it definitely looks better than usual.”

“Gee, thanks.” I roll my eyes, even though I’m grateful for her efforts to salvage my blue hair. I self-consciously reach up to push the ends back over my shoulders.

Doe has worked a little mer magic, evening out the blue and painting it in some spots to make it look intentional. I wouldn’t usually rock the blue-hair look, but the end result is actually quite pretty.

She retreats back to Brody’s side, giving me and Quince some space.

“Maybe I should come,” Quince says, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I can reschedule my shift.”

I lift my hands to his cheeks. “No, go to work.” I force an unwavering smile. “I’ll be fine.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

Lifting up on my tiptoes, I press my lips to his. I only meant to give him a quick kiss, but I linger, loving the feel of his warmth and loving him for being willing to use his aqua respire, even though the power to breathe water must still feel weird to him.

For one perfect moment I push the rest of the world to the side.

But I can’t push them aside forever.

I pull back, loving that he follows me like he can’t get enough of me, either. Time to go embrace my duty. I have a kingdom to help save.

“Want me to wish you luck?” he asks.

“Yes, please.”

“Good.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Luck.” Another kiss on the tip of my nose. “Princess.” He winks. “Not that you’ll need it.”