Quince is silent for a second before asking, “Did you really put a scratch on Princess?”

“Um . . . no?”

Quince lifts one dark-blond eyebrow above his piercing Caribbean-blue eyes. Like he can stare me into a confession.

Okay, maybe he can.

“It’s teeny-tiny,” I say, backing toward the kitchen door. “You can’t even see it unless you’re really looking and—”

I turn and run upstairs, acting like I need to escape before he freaks out. Instead, I just hear his laughter roaring through the house. Maybe the idea of a scratch on his baby made him go insane.

I hide at the top of the stairs, waiting for him to catch me. When he does, I gladly accept my punishment in the form of a big, hard kiss.

When he pulls away, I’m breathing heavily.

“You know you’re going to give her a bath,” Quince says.

“A bath?”

He rests his forehead against mine. “And scrub her until your smudge is gone and her body gleams.”

“Okay,” I sigh, leaning into him. “I’ll totally do that.”

He winks. “And I’ll totally sit back and watch.”

I close my eyes and wait for even more punishment.

I don’t have to wait for long.

Chapter 16

When Doe, Brody, and I arrive at the beach that afternoon, the first person to emerge from the water is Daddy. The look on his face—sad and serious, with deep wrinkles of concern etched on his forehead—tells me that he feels every ounce of his mistake. There’s no point in rubbing it in.

A pair of his guards walks out behind him. Not that I don’t love my guards, but his are so much more intimidating. Even a great white would turn tail and swim the other way.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“I will escort you to Desfleurelle,” he says. “Zostero lied to my face, and I will not stand for that.”

Daddy’s arms and shoulders are tense. He’s tense. His fists are clenched at his sides. Bad sign.

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” I say. “We don’t need to start a war over this. That won’t help things.”

“I won’t send you alone,” he says. “If Zostero is willing to lie to me and attack humans, I don’t trust him with you.”

“I won’t be alone,” I say quickly. “Doe’s coming with me.”

“Aurita and I have a history,” she tells Daddy, hugging her arm around Brody’s waist.

“Ah yes,” he says, a scowl forming. “I remember.”

“We’re over that rivalry thing,” she says. “Well, at least I am. I think I can help.”

“Lily,” Daddy says, turning back to me, “I don’t like the idea of you—”

I step forward and lay my hands on his shoulders. This is the moment when I go from being Daddy’s protected little girl to Princess Waterlily, who puts duty first.

“Trust me,” I say. “I was right about Aurita, and I’m right about this. This is my cause.”

He takes a deep breath and then releases it. “Yes, you were right. If either of those missing men is dead, I won’t—”

“We didn’t make this happen,” I say, trying to reassure him. “King Zostero did. Now I want to do my best to make sure it’s the last time.”

Daddy nods, relenting.

“You will take a double school of guards,” he says. “And I will have more at the ready. You need only send a message bubble, and the entire Thalassinian guard will be at your side.”

“I really don’t think that will be necessary,” I reply with a nervous laugh. At least I hope that won’t be necessary. “I’m just going to talk to him. Reason with him, you know.”

“I will trust your judgment in this,” he says. Then, turning to Doe, he adds, “And I am glad you will be there as well.”

He turns and walks back into the sea, shouting, “Be careful,” over his shoulder as he goes.

Next to me, Doe is practically glowing. As the perpetual black fish, wild child in the family, she’s not used to such a compliment. She’s not used to people trusting her. Which probably only ever made it less likely for her to do something worth complimenting.

“Time for me to go, baby,” she says to Brody.

“You’re sure you don’t want me to come with?” he asks.

She leans up on her toes and gives him a kiss.

“I’m sure.” She drops back down and sets her hands on his hips. “Besides, this is one of the last times you’ll be able to stay when I go. After the new moon next weekend, we’ll be eternally tied to each other.”

Brody gets that swoony look on his face, and I decide it’s time to break up the mushfest.

“Come on, Doe,” I say as I start walking down the beach. “Let’s go.”

I don’t watch as she says good-bye to Brody, and then she’s next to me and we’re almost to the water.

“You keep volunteering for stuff like this. . . .” I drape an arm over her shoulder and squeeze. “Next thing you know Daddy will be appointing you Thalassinian ambassador to Nephropida.”

“Ew, no thank you,” Doe says, shrugging off my arm. She blushes, like she’s uncomfortable with the idea of such responsibility. Then, in true Doe fashion, she says, “Maybe Costa Solara. I could use some work on my tan, and I hear the shelf off the coast of Belize is just breathtaking.”