“What’s he doing here?” Raena asked nervously.
I wanted to scream but I satisfied the urge with a sharp exhale. “I’ve no idea.” I adjusted my sleeves, unsure if it was because I may need to grab Raena and run, or just be ready to hit him. “But if he’s got any sense at all, he’ll leave us alone.”
Raena winced as we approached the prince, who lifted his head slowly to nod in greeting.
“Why are you still here?” I was in no mood for games.
Arenn’s lips thinned. “I overheard your plan to meet with a mermaid. Surely you know they can’t be trusted? As if I could let you come here alone.”
“You followed me?” Rage bit at my words. “I told you to leave.”
“And I told you I cannot do that. We’re bonded through magic.” Fists clenched, he pushed up to his feet. “Perhaps you do not feel the same way as I do, but for me, it hurts to not be by your side. I’m in pain, Naria.”
“Then see Ivy for some anti-pain medicine to mix in with your tea.” I turned my focus to the crashing waves, ignoring the hurt on his face. “And once you’re feeling better you can break what’s left of our bond. There must be a way for you to do it. I wasn’t lying when I said we were done.”
He opened his mouth to reply, but then stopped himself. After a few broken moments, he said the last words I ever expected to hear. “I… I can try.”
“What?” My eyebrows shot up to the stars. “You’re actually considering breaking it?”
His jaw clenched. “I said I’d try. If you really do not care for me then there’s nothing left for me here. As much as I may want to force you to love me, I won’t do that. I’m not amonster.”
I wanted to argue that he’d been nothing but monstrous so far, especially during the Oceans Ball, but somehow I held my tongue. This was progress. I didn’t want to push it.
“Thank you,” I said quietly. A quick glance at Raena showed her to be just as surprised by his words.
“Shall we… call for Adriana?” she suggested after a few more waves hit the shore.
“Yes.” Coming back to my senses, I unhooked the necklace from my neck and held it out in front of me. The golden shell glittered in the moonlight, looking very pretty, but otherwise very useless. When no mermaid emerged from the waves, I spluttered, “I… um.”
“You have to blow on it,” Arenn said beside me.
“What?”
“Like this.” Huffing, he snatched the shell from my hand and blew hard into the thicker end. A loud whistle echoed down the beach. Wincing, I brought my hands to my ears, but then the sound became more gentle as the shell glowed a soft yellow.
“How did you know to do that?” I asked as he lowered the shell.
Arenn tossed me a strange look. “Did you learn nothing from your schooling? Everyone knows how to use a summoning shell.”
“Apparently not everyone.” Raena spoke for me, looking equally as confused. Though we didn’t have time for any more questions. Within seconds, the water ahead of us began to bubble and steam, as if a cauldron had been buried in the sand.
“What is that?” Raena gasped before both of us yelpedin surprise. A huge bubble rose from the sea, something crimson swirling in the midst of it.
Raena’s hand gripped mine. The bubble popped. A familiar red-headed mermaid flopped down onto the waves, landing with an ungraceful ‘oof’ into the shallow water.
“You know, cousin, it’s considered rude to summon a merfolk so close to the shore—” Adriana paused as she pushed the hair from her face and sat up on the sand. “Oh.” She beamed at me. “Naria! How nice to see you again, and you brought a friend with you too.” Her grin widened upon noticing Raena. “How lovely.”
“Good to see you too.” I spoke quickly. “But I’m afraid we didn’t come here just to chat. I really need your help with—”
“And oh.” Her cheery mood faded when she glanced at Arenn. “It’s you.” She frowned. “Again.”
Arenn scoffed, matching her tone. “And you are?”
The mermaid’s cheeks flushed in offence. “My name is Princess Adriana,” she grumbled. “Your sister and I grew up together after my mother took her in. Lyssandra was like family to me. We used to watch you on the pearl all the time.”
“You know Lyssandra?” I gasped, recalling the blue-eyed half-faery and her awful dinner party from months ago.
“Of course I do. Mother adopted her after the faeries gave her away,” Adriana explained. “She was one of the only merfolk to ever understand me. We were closer than sisters,” she added in a sad tone.
