“Who?” I demand again.

“You will find out in time,” he says. “Now, if you ladies will see yourselves out, I need to go speak with my daughter.”

Oh no. Aurita is going to be punished because Doe revealed her as our source. I flash her a fearful look.

As we swim out of the royal chamber, she whispers, “Don’t worry about it. I sent her a message bubble as soon as we reached the edge of the kingdom. She’ll be waiting for us outside the palace gate.”

I am in awe. Doe was amazing in there. She knew exactly what to say and how to play Zostero to get him to confess. I’m so glad she came with me.

“Doe, I . . .” Not knowing what other words to use, I simply say, “Thank you.”

“Don’t go getting used to this,” she says, winking at a cute guard as we leave the castle. “I’ll be back to being your bratty baby cousin in the morning.”

“Even if you are,” I say, though I have my doubts about that, “I’ll love you anyway.”

I don’t miss the blush or the hint of sparkle in her eye as she kicks ahead of me. Yep, it looks like a more mature Dosinia has arrived. And just when I need her the most.

Chapter 17

Doe and I make fast time for home after sending Aurita to the Thalassinian royal palace with half of our guards and a note for Daddy, telling him what has happened and asking him to house and protect the now-outcast princess. The sun is just starting to rise in the east.

As we swim up to Seaview Beach Park, I’m stunned to see a school of royal guards entering the water. I exchange a look with Doe, and she shrugs, just as confused as I am.

“What’s going on?” I ask, floating over to the nearest guard. “Are you looking for me?”

The guard jumps a little at my approach, startled. Then, recovering himself, he says, “No, Princess. We were sent to fetch Master Quince back for his second test.”

“What?”

I swim past the guard and, with a powerful kick, launch myself out of the water. I land on the sand, fin changed into a finkini bottom, and scan the area for Quince. He’s in the corner of the parking lot, stripping off his shirt and storing it in his motorcycle.

“What’s going on?” I ask, running over to him.

“Princess.” He grins, and the way his eyes crinkle at the corners wakes up butterflies in my stomach. “I was wondering if you would make it back in time.”

Forcing the butterflies to calm down, I ask, “You got another messenger gull?”

Quince nods. “Right in the middle of breakfast. Freaked the heck out of my mom.” He lowers his gaze. “You know, someday we’re going to have to tell her the truth about you.”

“I know. Someday. What did the message say?” I probe. “What is your second test?”

“No clue.” He shuts the storage compartment on his bike, and we start walking down the beach. “Just said to come to the palace for the second test.” He reaches into a cargo pocket and pulls out the kelpaper. I read, hoping for another clue, but it says no more than that.

“At least I don’t have to swim there on my own this time,” he says. “Your boys in blue are giving me a ride.”

“Forget that,” I say. “I’m giving you a ride.”

“Ditching me already?” Doe asks, but I can’t tell if she’s teasing. “And just when we were starting to get along.”

“I have to go with him, Doe,” I say. She should understand; I know she’d do the same for Brody. “I can’t let him—”

“Joking, cousin,” she says, dismissing my explanations. “Give me your keys so I can get home.”

“My keys?” I balk. I’ve only had my car for a couple of weeks. I’ve only barely learned how to drive it. Does she really think I’m going to let her take it for a spin?

“Relax,” she says, holding out her hand. “Brody’s been giving me lessons.”

“But it’s a standard,” I argue. “It’s really tricky to manage the clutch and the brake and—”

“Brody’s Camaro is a standard,” she replies. “Trust me, I’ve got this.”

I take a few deep breaths and stare her down, daring her to tell me she’s joking again. She doesn’t. Palm up, she waits for me to give over the keys to my car.

“You’re sure you know how to drive?”

Doe cocks her head to the side, as if she’s not even going to dignify that with a response.

“Okay,” I say, reluctantly dropping my keys into her outstretched palm. “But if you hit anything—”

She saunters away before I can finish my warning. I watch, eagle-eyed, as she unlocks the door, slides into the driver’s seat, and brings the car to life. Seconds later, she’s pulling out of the parking lot. Flawlessly.

Seriously, not a jerk or a screech or a stutter. Smooth, as if she’s been driving all her life.

“She doesn’t even have a license,” I whine as my taillights disappear down the street.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Quince says, patting me on the back.

“How does she do that?” I demand, turning on him. “She’s been on land, what? Just over a month? I’ve been here almost four years, and she’s got the human thing down like it’s nothing.”

“Master Quince,” the lead guard says before my tirade can continue, “we really should get going.”