I know that pride is a powerful emotion, but it is also a terrible indulgence. Especial y when the fate of your kingdom is at stake.

“Your father is not in charge at the moment.” I take Tel in’s hand in mine, showing my support. “You can move beyond his pride.”

“You know,” he says with a sad laugh, “that’s why he stopped speaking with your father. Because King Whelk refused to sign the arranged bond agreement for us. My father can’t stand the thought of being denied.” Wel , at least that makes more sense. I couldn’t real y see Daddy wanting to arrange a marriage for me, not since he’s been so adamant that I fol ow my heart.

I shake off my annoyance at Tel in’s father. “You need to cal a council of kings and queens,” I suggest. “Present them with your situation, and I’m sure you wil not walk away without numerous promises of assistance.”

“You are too generous,” he says, squeezing my hand.

“Fletcher is a lucky man.”

“I like to think so,” a new male voice says.

I spin around so fast, Tel in is pul ed in my wake.

“Quince!” I squeal. Then I’m across the room, throwing my arms around his neck and peppering his face with kisses.

“Such a shame,” Doe says, drifting in after Quince. “I was hoping to ruin your party like you ruined mine.” She sighs.

“Looks like I brought the guest of honor instead.” Ignoring Doe, I scream, “You’re here!” I squeeze him tight.

“What are you doing here?” Then I suddenly realize just exactly where here is, and I say, “How are you here?” With a smile, Quince pul s my arms from around him and twists—awkwardly, because he’s stil in human form and stil not the best swimmer—and shows me his neck. There is a black circle of waves tattooed at the base. The outer portion of the mer mark.

I am completely overcome with joyful, tearful emotion.

“Daddy found you?” I manage.

“Actual y,” Daddy says, swimming up next to Doe, “your cousin found him. I merely performed the ceremony when she brought him to me.”

I glance, teary eyed, at everyone in the room. My squid-brained cousin, who’s turning out to be not such a horrible young mermaid. My darling daddy, who found a way to bring me and Quince even closer together. My adored Quince, who is wil ing to accept al the craziness that comes along with life with me.

“We have something to talk about,” I tel him, trying to sound stern but knowing that my glittering eyes and huge smile undermine the effect.

“I know,” he says with a matching smile. “I acted like an ass.”

“Wel …” That takes a lot of the steam out of my lecture.

“Okay. As long as you recognize the fact.” He flashes me a wink. “Always.”

“You know, daughter,” Daddy says, swimming over his desk and sinking into the massive chair behind it, “it is nearly midnight.”

Oh, no.

My heart starts beating flipper fast. I’ve been anticipating this moment for weeks now—sometimes eagerly, sometimes less so. But I’ve known it was coming. Now that it’s here, I’m a little (a lot) freaked out.

“Mangrove and I have drawn up the papers.” He pul s a few sheets of kelpaper from a drawer and sets them on top of the desk. “They only require your signature.” I swim up to the desk, painful y aware that al eyes in the room are on me. Daddy hands me a pen. I didn’t expect it to happen this fast.

“Right here.” He points to the line where I’m supposed to sign. Where, with one curl of ink on paper, I’l renounce my claim to the throne. Forever.

This is what I want, I remind myself. To be on land, with Quince and Aunt Rachel and lip gloss and mediocre sushi.

The squid ink–fil ed quil clutched in my fingers, I move my hand over the paper. Over the line.

Hovering.

My entire body freezes, like Peri when a jel yfish floats by.

I can’t move a muscle. My brain is racing. Is this the right decision? Easy or hard, is this the best choice for my future, for the future of Thalassinia and of Acropora and the other mer kingdoms?

I have never felt so completely paralyzed by doubt.

Eyes wide, I seek out Quince, my rock. He’s floating between Doe and Tel in, watching me calmly, betraying no emotion. When my gaze flicks to Tel in and back to Quince, his look shifts. Like he’s bracing himself.

Then, in a moment that’s just between us, Quince nods.

I don’t need to voice the question I know he’s answering.

Our connection is stronger than any formed by a magical bond. And always wil be.

Without giving myself time to think about the situation, I drop the pen, jet myself across the room with one powerful kick, and grab Tel in by the shoulders. I only have an instant to register the pure shock in his eyes before my lips brush his.

Chapter 16

oly bananafish, what did I do? My brain freaks out for a Hsecond—okay, more than a second—not quite believing what my heart just told me to do.

But my brain quickly catches on. This is about more than love and col ege plans and a black-and-white decision between living on land or becoming queen. There is a huge, Pacific-sized gray area where I can choose both.

And I just did.

Holy bananafish!

The shock of my spontaneous decision sends gal ons of adrenaline pouring into my bloodstream. While I take a few deep, calming breaths to regain a normal pulse, I take note of the room around me. The people around me.