If Raphael had been cursed by merfolk, then thenephew of the merfolk queen might be his only chance of survival. I needed to find Lukas as soon as possible. Only there’d been no sign of him in my bedchamber, and the palace was endlessly large.
After hours of searching through winding hallways, I gave up on finding him inside and shoved open a door that led to the gardens. But my search didn’t last long in the sticky tropical air. Within minutes, I slumped onto the first shade-covered bench I could find and squeezed my eyes shut.
The squawking birds in the palm trees were too loud, and the smell of tropical fruits made my head spin. Even with my palms pressed against my eyes, the bright sun and vibrant green of the shrubbery still crept in. Too bright. Too much. If I didn’t find somewhere dark and quiet soon, I’d—
“Would you like me to carry you, human?” a familiar voice purred.
Startling, I whipped around to see Arenn leaning against a palm tree with a wicked smile across his face.
I couldn’t help but groan.
“Don’t let me disturb you,” he chuckled as I flopped back against the stone bench. “Though I was rather enjoying watching you wander aimlessly.”
“I was not wandering aimlessly,” I grumbled, too focused on slowing my breathing to care that he’d been following me. “I was looking for Lukas. Have you seen him?”
“Afraid not.” Arenn stepped closer. “Though I suspect he’s not out here. Especially since Queen Marigold has arranged for her daughter and your beloved to take lunch together in the royal dining hall.”
My eyes snapped open. “What?”
“They’re probably together right now,” he shrugged, “enjoying fine wine, getting to know each other,gazing into each other’s eyes.”
My stomach twisted. “Stop that.”
“Stop what?” He grinned.
“You’re trying to make me angry.”
“But you’re so pretty when you’re upset,” he chuckled. “And the offer still stands for me to help you make him jealous.” His eyes glinted as he leaned closer. The shift in his tone sent a dangerous shiver through me. “Think of how furious he’d be if he left his meeting with Princess Callie and stumbled upon you pressed against a wall, my hands sliding down your sides, my lips inches from your—”
“That’s enough.” I bolted up from the bench. “Don’t speak in that way.” Even if Lukas were taking lunch with Princess Callie, it would be strictly political. Nothing more. He showed no interest in Princess Callie at the party.
Then again, the last time he saw me, Arenn’s lips were pressed against mine.
Arenn laughed, tilting his head as he watched me with a heavy gaze. “You’re even prettier when you’re nervous.”
Snarling, I spun away and marched deeper into the gardens. I could hear Arenn’s footsteps trailing lazily behind me, but by now, I was too hot to care. The intense midday heat, paired with my lingering headache from last night, meant my senses were reaching their limit.
If I didn’t find a quiet place to calm down soon, I’d—
“Human?”
“Just leave me alone!” I screamed, perhaps a little louder than I should’ve. Birds squawked in the palm trees above me,the sound drilling into my mind. The once-beautiful green shrubs overwhelmed my vision. Heart pounding, I whirled around, desperately searching for a way back inside the palace – or at least another bench in the shade.
“Human? Is something wrong?” Arenn’s voice was muffled by my rasping breath.
I raced down a tree-lined path, but my lungs began to feel fuzzy, as if I was breathing too much air with each gasp.
“No,” I wheezed to myself. “Not now.” An unwanted sob tore up my throat as my hands began to seize. Dropping to the grass, I hugged my knees to my chest. “Calm down. Calm down. Calm down,” I hissed, rocking my body with each breath.
“Naria, what’s happening?” I could barely hear Arenn through my rasps. “Are you sick?”
Too much heat. Too many thoughts. Too much noise.
“I can’t… Can’t breathe… It’s too hot… I—”
“Close your eyes.” Arenn’s voice echoed in my ears.
For once, I welcomed his compulsion as my eyes were forced shut. His hand clamped around mine. Then a whoosh of air rushed past me, taking all the uncomfortable heat, squawking birds, and bright green grass with it.
