I sigh and rest my palm on his chest, reassured to feel the outline of the sand dollar necklace beneath his shirt. He traces my matching necklace, visible above my tank top.

“If you need me . . . ,” he begins.

“. . . I’ll send for you.”

We share one more moment before I step back, out of his embrace, and turn to face the ocean. I can’t see the guards, but I know they’re there. Just beneath the surface, just beyond the shore. Ready to escort me home, a crown princess facing her first official act as future queen of Thalassinia.

I force my legs not to quiver as I walk into the surf. As soon as I reach the water, as soon as the salty sea splashes over my legs, I feel instantly better. The calming effect of salt water washes away my worries. As the waves splash higher and higher, I feel calmer and calmer. More courageous and ready to face what’s waiting for me in Thalassinia.

I turn to wave good-bye to my gang on the beach.

Quince, Shannen, and Brody wave back.

Doe calls out, “Don’t choke!”

I throw her a thanks-a-lot scowl before turning and sinking into the sea.

The guards surround me before I’ve even had time to transfigure from my finkini into my tailfin. They keep their backs to me as I change, but their protection is like a solid wall around me.

“Okay,” I say, once my green-and-gold tailfin is in place. “I’m ready.”

Without a word to me, Captain Frater signals the other guards and they move into a diamond formation around me. He nods at me and gestures me toward the deep ocean. I kick my tailfin out behind me and head east, to Thalassinia. To home.

Chapter 4

Tellin is waiting for me in the palace entry hall. He is studying one of the mosaic murals, the tip of his orange-to-red tailfin flicking back and forth in quick, sharp movements. Swimming through the front door feels almost exactly like that moment two weeks ago when I first saw him again after so many years. The moment that started this whole thing swimming, leading to our bond-in-name-only and to this meeting we have planned today.

I smile, realizing that I don’t regret one thing.

“Tellin,” I call out as I swim to him.

“Liliana,” he says with a grin.

When he turns to face me, I realize he’s not alone. At his side is a beautiful mermaid. She has long auburn hair that floats around her in soft curls, copper skin without a freckle in sight, and a bright teal tailfin that shimmers with flecks of pearly blue.

Tellin tugs her forward. “Lily, I’d like you to meet my mermate, Lucina.”

“I am honored,” she says, bowing her head. “What you have done for the sake of our people is beyond measure.”

My cheeks burn with embarrassment. “It’s no big deal,” I say, trying to deflect the over-the-top praise. “Anyone would have done the same thing.”

She lifts her head, and her eyes, the same pearly shade of blue as the highlights on her tailfin, meet mine. “No,” she insists. “Your sacrifice is extraordinary, and our people will be forever grateful.”

“Oh, um, well,” I stammer. “You’re more than welcome.”

“The news of our bonding was received with great cheer,” Tellin tells me. “You will forever be a heroine to the people of Acropora.”

“I haven’t done anything useful yet,” I say, desperate to get off the subject of my nonimpressive heroics. “And speaking of that, why don’t we go somewhere private to discuss exactly what we are planning to say in this meeting.”

Tellin nods and gestures for me to lead the way. As I swim down the hall, heading for one of the antechambers that connect to the royal chamber where the meeting will take place, I take a moment to focus on the magical connection between Tellin and me.

To be honest, I’ve been worried. Being bonded to another merman while I’m in love with Quince . . . well, I don’t know for sure what to expect. There have been plenty of bonds of convenience in the history of mer royalty, but usually the royals in question aren’t dating anyone else. Definitely not dating a human.

But I had no other choice. Bonding with Tellin and becoming crown princess was the only way I could be sure to make a difference in the underwater world. I couldn’t let my childhood friend and his kingdom suffer because I wanted a human boyfriend.

I’m relieved to sense nothing more than the bonds of friendship.

“Here we go,” I say, swimming into the empty ante­chamber.

It’s a small, windowless room painted a calming shade of conch-shell peach. Arranged around a low center table are four scroll-shaped chairs. I float over to one and sink down onto the stone surface.

Lucina hovers in the doorway. “I shall leave you to your planning.”

I twist back to look at her.

“You don’t have to go,” I say, feeling awkward that she thinks she can’t stay. We’re not going to be discussing kingdom secrets or anything.

“No, truly,” she says. “I only wished to meet you. Now I would very much like to visit the palace gardens I have heard so much about.”

“I will come find you when it is done, my love,” Tellin says. He presses a kiss to her cheek.

When she’s gone, Tellin swims over to the chair opposite mine.

“She’s lovely,” I tell him. “She seems very sweet.”

His smile is one of pure love and adoration. “She is an angelfish.”

“I’m very happy for you.” And I am. Love is a gift. I know how it feels to love and be loved in return, and I’m glad my friend can feel the same.