“People?”
“Transforming someone permanently into a human would require a great deal of magic. It would suck the island dry.”
My throat felt dry at that thought. “What if it took from me?”
“There is the possibility of performing a swap,” she said, then leaned over. “What are you trying to do?”
“Transform Aulani into a human permanently. She’s a–”
“Mermaid. Yes, Tavo told me.”
“Tavo?” I gaped. “Who told Tavo?”
She hesitated, and, instead of answering, said, “Tavo has had his secrets, Ezra.”
I frowned. “And you’ve been in on them all along, haven’t you?”
“No.” Cressida quickly grew defensive. “No, not at all… Well, not since he first left.” She shook her head and let out a breath. “He’s changed, alright? And so have I.”
This time, I hesitated. What was I doing trusting Cressida? She turned me into a frog…twice!And now I wanted her to do magic again? What if she did something wrong?
“Did you and Tavo have plans of your own?” I asked, remembering our walk in the garden, remembering how she wanted to carry on his legacy.
The princess looked away, her expression almost embarrassed. “Yes. I thought he was in love with me. Before he left, he told me that our bond would strengthen foreign alliances. He had so many ideas, Ezra. They sounded so grand, and…” She sighed. “For once, I thought I could be part of something. Thought I was actually good for something and could rule by his side. He blinded me… then he never came back. But…” She pursed her lips. “I was sure he hadn’t died–I could feel it. Then it dawned on me: he abandoned me.” Her fists clenched. “So I am sorry Ezra. I did what I thought would turn the tables in my favor. I was desperate, and then he did come back. I was right. He had plans of his own… and they did not involve me.”
I froze. All along she thought Tavo was good, and that he really wanted to help Kaiora. She thought she could play a huge role in that.
Turns out he lied.
“He lied to all of us,” I said, and swallowed hard.
We stood in silence for a moment, then Cressida said, “I can transform Aulani into a human permanently, but there are limits to my magic.”
“What are the conditions?”
She rubbed her forehead. "Listen, if you transform, you can permanently transfer your human life to something else, turning it into a human forever.”
I gaped. “So you could permanently change me into a frog, and Aulani would stay human forever?”
“Yes.”
I love her.But what about my kingdom? What about the island?
It will do better with her.Yes. I would give the kingdom to Aulani, make her ruler, and transform permanently into a frog.
The people love her.They adored her, and, even without a voice, her presence was enough for them. She would rule well. I made up my mind. Aulani could not turn to sea foam. I’d doanythingfor her.
“Come on,” I said, grabbing the keys and giving Cressida a look. “Do I have your word you’ll help me follow through with this?”
She tipped her head. “One condition.”
“What is that?”
“If I transform you into a frog and transfer your permanent human life to Aulani, I want to live here. Punish me here–I’ll do whatever it is to make amends for my wrongs, but don’t send me to Windmere.”
“Why?”
Cressida looked away, as if embarrassed. “I do not wish to return home, Ezra.”
