Even though we—Doe, Quince, and I—explained the whole process to Brody last night, I stil expect his brain to resist breathing water. To face suffocation rather than risk drowning. To fight, like Quince did, holding on to his last lungful of air with desperate determination.

Instead, by the time I’ve finished changing into my mer form, Brody is sucking in big gulps of seawater like he was born to it. With Quince, I had to use the strength of my tail fin to hold him underwater until a breath became inevitable. I should have known that Brody the swim star would be the complete opposite.

For three years I dreamed of this moment, imagined it going exactly like this. Brody taking to the mer world as if he’d always been a part of it.

But now that it’s here, I only wish it wasn’t happening.

“This is awesome,” he says, getting even the voice adjustment right on the first try. “I’m total y breathing water.”

“Yeah,” I say, for some reason annoyed by how easily he’s adjusting to the underwater world. “It’s Valentine’s Day, Hal oween, and Christmas, al rol ed into one.” I turn my back to him and motion for him to grab my waist. He may be fast in the water, but he can’t compete with me in mer form. “Let’s get swimming.”

The feel of Brody’s hands on my waist is surprisingly ordinary. No sparks or heat or flashes of light, like when Quince touches me. Which only proves that what Quince and I have is special, and what I’d thought I would have with Brody was nothing but a fantasy. That thought reassures me. If that whole mess can work itself out, then surely this wil , too. Hopeful y sooner rather than later.

I take a deep breath and let out al my frustrations about the current situation, because real y, Doe’s reckless actions aside, I’m happy with how my life is turning out.

With a flick of my fin I push off, sending us out to sea. Out to home.

“Don’t forget to stay streamlined,” I remind Brody over my shoulder. “And dolphin kick as hard as you can.”

“No problem,” he says, and instantly my speed nearly doubles.

And as glad as I am that Brody won’t slow me down with drag the way Quince did, I can’t help but wish there was some way they could trade places right now. Forever.

If wishes were sea horses, then beggars would ride.

Besides, wishing for something impossible is only going to ruin my mood. Again. I should try to make the best of a bad situation. I should be glad for the visit home. I should be glad the situation isn’t any more complicated than it already is.

I kick harder, sending us sailing through the water toward Thalassinia. We’l be there before I know it.

With Brody’s dolphin kick making up for his extra drag, we make it to the edge of Thalassinia in about half the time it took me and Quince. We sail quickly over the deceptively organic-looking suburbs and industrial sections, heading directly for the royal palace at the center.

I don’t even stop long enough for Brody to get a scenic view of the kingdom. I just want this done and behind us.

Who knows what kind of havoc Doe is causing at home?

Or what kind of moves she’s making on Quince?

As we swim up to the palace gates, the twin columns of coral that mark the entrance to the palace grounds, the guards are blocking the path, tugging an object back and forth between them.

“It’s mine,” Barney says, pul ing the object sharply toward him. “I’m the head guard today.”

“But I,” Cidaris barks back, “am the senior officer.” The object jerks in his direction. “I get to hold the scepter.” After watching a few more tug-of-war exchanges, I swim up to them. Daddy is very informal with his staff, so the palace guards are practical y family. Especial y Cid, who’s been in the guard since before Daddy was born. He’s like my honorary grandfather.

Even if, on occasion, he acts more like seven than seventy.

“Hi, Cid,” I say. “Hi, Barney.”

The pair instantly stops their battle, turning to me with giant grins on their faces. Their hands fly to their foreheads in twin salutes of respect. I blush, remembering Brody at my back, and return their salute so they can relax.

“Princess Waterlily!” they exclaim simultaneously.

“We didn’t know you were—”

“No one told us—”

“It was kind of a surprise,” I say, nodding at my passenger.

“For both of us.”

Their gazes shift to Brody, who has released my waist and swum to the side so he can get a view of the palace.

Then the guards turn their questioning gazes on me. I can read the question in their minds as clearly as if I were telepathic. Anyone could.

What about Master Quince?

“Princess?” Cid asks cautiously.

“Don’t worry,” I say. The entire palace—the entire kingdom—knows that a couple of weeks ago I decided to return to land to be with Quince. They know, because my decision meant I was also giving up my future as their queen. News that juicy spreads like a red tide.

Returning home with another boy is probably a shock.

“This one isn’t mine,” I say, jerking my thumb at Brody, who is grinning like a fool. He looks like I just handed him the keys to an underwater theme park. “He’s Doe’s.”

“Lady Dosinia?” Barney asks.

Doe’s bratty behavior is widely known throughout the palace. They shouldn’t be surprised to learn she caused some big-time trouble in her short time on land.