I swim as fast as I can back to Solwyck, desperate to find Halla. The Blue moon is full this night. Its silver light spreading out across the waves in a shimmering display. I am nearly there. Absently, I reach for the necklace, closing my hand over the blue pearl that hangs around my neck as I send a silent prayer to whatever gods may be listening.
Please, let this work to restore Halla’s memories of me.
Toren follows closely behind me as we approach Atena—the underwater palace shining like a beacon in the distance. “Find Father and tell him I’ve found the blue pearl. Let him know I’m safe and on my way to find Halla.”
“All right,” Toren replies.
My father’s voice fills my mind. “My son, I would speak with you before you leave.”
I stop short and then follow Toren as we go to him. We find him alone in his throne room. “What is it, Father?”
He swims to us, placing a hand on each of our shoulders. “Thank the gods you are back safely.” His expression sobers as his gaze drops to the blue pearl necklace. “You are sure this is what you want?”
“I am,” I reply without hesitation.
“I worry for you, you know. I know that, at times, I have been… hard on you, but it is only because I wanted the best for you, my son.”
I swallow against the lump in my throat. “I know, Father.”
“After your mother died, you and Toren were all I had. You are my greatest treasures, my two sons,” he says. “You really mean to go through with this? To bind her to you if she regains her memories and agrees to take you as her mate?”
“Yes.”
I’m surprised when he throws his arms around me and Toren, hugging us tight.
“It will not be an easy life, my son,” he whispers in my mind.
“I know. But I cannot live without her. She is my heart, Father—she is my fated one.”
“Then, go with my blessing,” he says. “Hurry. She is set to bond with King Henrick this night, on his ship. The ceremony will start soon.”
Panic tightens my chest as I swim toward Solwyck. My tail cannot propel me fast enough as I race through the water. I have to stop her wedding.
She cannot bond with King Henrick. She is mine.
When I break through the surface of the water, I cast my gaze to the shoreline in the far distance. Several softly glowing lights line the beach near the castle. The entire city itself seems lit in a vibrant display.
My heart stutters and stops when I notice the lights are lined up from the castle down to Henrick’s ship, docked in the harbor. Several bouquets of flowers and ribbons decorate his ship.
I lift my eyes to the dark sky and the full blue moon overhead, praying I am not too late.
My pulse pounds in my ears as I make my way to the ship. As soon as I reach it, I call up to the deck, hoping someone will hear me. “Is anyone there?”
“Aye!” a voice calls back.
A moment later, a male looks over the deck toward the water. His blue eyes pierce mine. “Are you in some kind of trouble?”
“King Henrick and Princess Halla… where are they?”
He turns toward the castle. “They’re at the palace.”
“Thank you,” I say quickly and then dive beneath the water, swimming as fast as I can to the castle, desperate to find Halla. I have to stop her before she marries Henrick.
She is mine. My mate—my fated one. Not his. He will not love her as I do. He will not thank the gods each and every night because he has her by his side.
She is everything to me and I cannot lose her.
My pulse pounds in my ears as I make my way to the palace. I pray I’m not too late.
