Not that I agree with him, but I’m pretty sure most of the mer world blames humans—all humans—for the current state of the oceans. While I don’t think the matter of blame is that simple, I also know that we haven’t been polluting our oceans or drilling for oil in the seafloor. I don’t hold humans individually accountable for the problems, but humankind as a whole is definitely the cause of a lot of the mer world’s problems.

That Aurita is speaking out against her king, and to a foreign royal no less, indicates that something more is going on here.

“My brother,” she says, her blue-green eyes starting to sparkle, “my half-brother is human. He does not know about me, our mother, or our world, but he works on an oil platform on the northern edge of our kingdom.”

She bites her lip, like she’s overcome by emotion.

“The king plans to sabotage the drilling platforms.” She shakes her head. “I am afraid my brother will be hurt or killed when this happens. The king does not care if humans die. He only cares about revenge.”

From what I’ve heard about offshore drilling platforms, the whole thing is crazy dangerous. If the king sabotages the equipment, it’s entirely possible that someone will die. And it will look like an accident.

My hands shake and I clench my jaw.

My first instinct is to turn around and swim back to the palace. I’d like to give King Zostero a piece of my mind about revenge not being the answer and something about guilt by association.

But that doesn’t seem like the smartest course of action. If Aurita’s accusations are true, he’s already upset and acting on emotion. Now I’m upset, and just as emotional. Bringing the two of us face-to-face right now is probably a recipe for disaster. I don’t want to accidentally put Thalassinia and Desfleurelle at war over something that can be handled more . . . diplomatically.

“Thank you for telling me this, Aurita,” I say to the girl. “It was very brave of you to come forward.”

She smiles through her tears. “I knew you were the only one who would understand. You know what it means to care for a human.”

“I do.” And more than one. I care just as much about Aunt Rachel and Shannen as I do about Quince. And now that Brody is bonded to Doe, he’s pretty much family too. Yes, I’m probably the best merperson to understand this problem.

“I am going to figure out how to stop this,” I say. “I’m going to talk to my father, the king, and we will find a solution.”

“Thank you,” she says, and bows her head.

“I may need to get in touch with you again,” I say. “Where can I send a messenger gull?”

“To the palace,” she replies.

“The palace?” I echo, a bad feeling knotting in my stomach.

“Yes,” she says sadly. “I am King Zostero’s youngest daughter.”

Then, before I can react, she turns and swims away. I watch as her beautiful peacock tailfin flashes away into the deep.

Great—this just got even more complicated. I have a feeling Daddy and I are going to have a long discussion about this.

I swim back over to my guards and exchange a worried look with Peri. As soon as we’re clear of Desfleurelle waters, I’ll tell her what Aurita said. Then, as soon as we get home, I’ll tell Daddy. We’ll figure out what to do.

At least Quince will be waiting for me when I get there. For the first time, I’m glad he has to go through these tests. Instead of wishing I was home in Seaview, we’ll be sharing some tasty sushi in the palace kitchen. Knowing he’s there will make the journey home go so much faster. My concern for his safety resurfaces, and I’m even more eager to hurry home and wrap my arms around him.

“Okay, guys,” I say to the guards. “Let’s really go home this time. I’m exhausted, and I think I have a long night ahead of me.”

Chapter 12

As I swim into the palace alone—the guards stopped at the gate to give a report to their commander, and Peri headed home—the palace housekeeper, Margarite, greets me at the front door.

“Welcome, Princess,” she says, giving me a deep bow.

I want to roll my eyes at the unnecessary ceremony, but I don’t have the energy. I just want to find Quince and sushi and then talk to Daddy about everything I’ve learned so I can sleep for at least ten hours.

“Hello, Margarite,” I say. “Is Quince waiting for me in the kitchen?”

Her dark brows pinch into a puzzled expression. “Master Quince? He is not in the palace.”

“What?” My heart thumps, and a jolt of adrenaline enters my bloodstream. Not even the calming effects of the sea can soften my reaction. “He should be here by now. He— Where is my father?”

“In his office, Princess,” she says, her eyes filled with sympathy. “I believe he is awaiting your arrival.”

I don’t wait to hear the rest of whatever she’s saying. I take off as fast as my kicks—and an extra push of current from my new power—can carry me, racing through the halls toward Daddy’s office.

Quince left Seaview almost two full days ago. Even with his weak swimming skills, he should have gotten here sometime yesterday.

Images of everything that might have happened to him flash through my mind. Shark attack. Riptide. Ship propeller. Stronger-than-usual Gulf Stream current. He could have been swept all the way to Glacialis by now.

By the time I swim through Daddy’s door, my vision is blurry and I’m sure my teary eyes are sparkling like flecks of gold. My breath comes in short, fast gasps.