Isamaria turned on her back and stared up at the ceiling. She tried not to think of her father. Instead, she thought aboutAdrian.
He wasn't real. Like her fake, plastic mermaids, he was just in herimagination.
This was her reality. And as much as she wanted it to be a fairy tale, it wasn't, and itsucked.
Isa closed her eyes and wished for things to bedifferent.
ChapterSeven
Adrian
“Come on,Moona. It's just one day. Please,forme.”
Adrian was in his room at the palace, trying to convince a very stubborn Moona to create a distraction so he could slip away. He’d spent most of the day yesterday just putzing around, swimming from here to there without any sort of destination, then snuck back into the palace late at night when no one waslooking.
He knew the moment his father realized he was back in the castle he’d get yelled at about ditching the party, and harassed about picking out a mermaid for his upcoming wedding. Adrian was in no way ready to dealwiththat.
His heart had already chosen for him. And it didn't matter if it was the worst choice ever made in history… Adrian was going to find a way to makeitwork.
Now all the guards were looking for him, and Adrian knew if he didn’t get out of the palace fast, he’d be dragged right back to his father. He had to find a way toescape.
That's where Moona came in. Poseidon was opposed to sea creatures being in the castle, but he’d made an exception for Moona because Adrian was her best friend. If she swam throughout the palace, merpeople would chase after her demanding to know where Adrianhadgone.
And then Adrian would slip right out the back. But there was one problem: Moona wasn't willing to go alongwithit.
“You must think I'm insane,” Moona said. “I’m tired of covering up for you,Adrian!”
This had happened one too many times, and Adrian had never been in this much trouble before. Moona was giving him ahardno.
“I’ll do anything, Moona, I promise,” he begged. “Just do me this favor. I have toseeher.”
Leaving Isamaria in the hospital bed yesterday had been something that’d nearly killed him. He knew he should be by her side and taking care of her, not in the middle of the ocean arguing with a stubbornmanatee.
It was madness. The sea called to him, but his mate did, too. Both were undeniable urges that he couldn't satisfy at the same time. If he was with one, he wasn't with theother.
Adrian wondered if he’d be cursed to suffer like this forever. He was undeniably in love with both of them, heknewthat.
But he knew the sea. He didn't know Isa. That was something he wanted to rectify, if just a little, before he informed his father of hisdecision.
His mind was already made up. How Poseidon would take it, Adrian was sure wouldn'tbewell.
“They're going to know I'mlying, Adrian. They'll be confused when they see we’re not together.” Moona swayed slowly back and forth in the water. “Isaidno.”
Adrian shrugged. “Okay. Fine. I'm leaving with or withoutyourhelp.”
“Adrian,wait,” Moona hissed, and she planted herself in front of him. “Are you sure about this? Is she worththerisk?”
He stared coldly at her. “She's the one, Moona. She’s my mate. I wouldn't tell you that unless Iwassure.”
Adrian swam underneath her and came up at the window. He pried it open andslippedout.
At the last minute, Moona gave a heavy sigh, hung her head, and swam out the bedroom door. Merpeople immediately started following her, callinghername.
Adrian smiled. “Thanks,Moona.”
He swam toward the surface where he knew no other merfolk dared to linger. From there he kept up a steady pace, until he reached his private cove and pulled himself up out of the water and onto thebeach.
Out of his net bag he pulled a slim glass bottle, filled with glowing liquid. He'd stolen it from the apothecary long ago and had been saving it for something like this. Adrian was glad he’d been smart enough to keep it and not use itfoolishly.
