“We’ll have to tell my dad,” I say, thinking of no better option.

“No! Lily, please,” Tellin pleads. “That’s why I came to you and not the king. I don’t want my father’s moment of madness to harm relations between our kingdoms. Or to ruin my father’s reputation. For many decades, he has been an intelligent and respected ruler. If there is a way to stop this without your father finding out, I need to try that first.”

“Then why come to me?” I ask. “What do you expect me to do?”

I’m already failing at my other missions—getting the mer kingdoms to work together to solve the ocean’s environmental problems, and now stopping the mer kingdoms from sabotaging human enterprises. I’m not really sure I can do anything to help.

“My father has always liked you, Lily,” Tellin says. “He respects your father, but he genuinely likes you.”

“So what if he likes me?” I say. “Tellin, I can’t keep this a secret. If there is a threat to our kingdom—”

“Talk to him,” Tellin interrupts. “Come to Acropora and have a conversation with my father.”

“Tellin . . .”

“If you can’t convince him to change his plans,” Tellin says, “then I’ll return with you and tell King Whelk myself. Just please give him one chance.”

How do I know what is the right thing to do? Keep this from Daddy, and maybe risk my kingdom’s safety? Or tell him, and risk our relationship with Acropora?

Tellin’s methods haven’t always been well thought out in the past. He did, after all, try to force me to bond with him. We got past that as soon as he finally told me what was going on. Then I bonded with him willingly.

It’s a sign of progress that he’s talking about the situation and not trying to make something happen through force or coercion.

But I have a responsibility to my people and their safety. I need to decide if it’s worth the risk. Daddy is always telling me to lead first with my heart. Aunt Rachel is always telling me to trust my gut. I close my eyes and listen to my instinct.

King Gadus has always been kind to me. As a child, he used to slip me treats when Daddy wasn’t looking. And even though he and Daddy eventually had a falling-out—over me and Tellin, it turns out—they were always friends.

And Thalassinia has always considered Acropora her closest ally. I can’t throw that away without even trying to fix things.

“Okay,” I say. “Let me tell Quince I’m leaving and give Daddy some excuse for skipping out. I’ll meet you outside the palace gate in twenty minutes.”

“Thank you, Lily,” Tellin says, and I can sense his gratitude.

“It’s just a conversation,” I say. “And if it doesn’t work—”

“We’ll turn around and swim right back.”

I nod. Tellin slips out the front door, and I head back to Daddy’s office, to try to explain why I’m leaving before the meeting to discuss the problem I was so desperate to solve just minutes ago. I hope he never has to know.

Swimming over Acropora on our way to the palace, I can see things have changed. Many of their once-flourishing coral reefs are pale and lifeless. Their structures look tattered around the edges and in need of some routine maintenance. And their streets and plazas, which I remember always bustling with merfolk, are practically empty.

I know Tellin said his people were seeking better lives on land and in other kingdoms, but hearing and seeing the truth are two different things.

“Tellin, I . . .” I’m not sure what to say. “I’m sorry your kingdom is dying?” “Wish I could help?”

I’m trying, but I don’t think that’s what he wants to hear.

“I know,” he says, swimming faster, like he’s embarrassed by the state of his world. “Let’s just get to my father and get this over with.”

I force the tears from my eyes, knowing Tellin won’t appreciate the sympathy. Right now, being here with him and trying to talk his father out of his crazy plan is enough.

Inside, the palace looks even more run-down than the rest of the city. It’s like the king diverted funds from his own household to help his people first. I have to admire that.

“Father,” Tellin calls out as we reach the royal chamber.

“What?” the old man’s voice barks from within.

“I have Princess Waterlily with me.” Tellin gives me a hopeful look. “She wants to speak with you.”

“Waterlily, eh?” he grumbles. “Well what are you waiting outside for?” he says. “Bring the guppy in.”

I remember visiting the palace as a girl, being awed by the royal chamber. Even compared to Thalassinian standards, it had been impressive. In American colonial times, Acropora had been the center of a lot of pirating activity. That, in turn, led to a lot of pirate loot winding up within their borders.

A lot of times, the reason a pirate couldn’t find his hidden booty—even with an X-marks-the-spot treasure map—was because some crafty Acroporan merperson had snuck up on land, dug it up, and claimed it as his own.

The royal chamber had been decorated with priceless gems and pieces of eight and other precious human treasures.

As I swim inside now, I’m shocked to see the walls and ceiling stripped bare. All the wealth that was on display is gone, leaving a chipped surface.

The situation here must have been deteriorating for years. Decades, even. They must have gradually stripped the valuable decorations to boost the treasury, to pay royal employees, and to buy goods from other kingdoms. Their backup reserves are all gone now.