The girls around me were freshening up their Merfolk language. Some were fluent. Others, less so. Though most seemed to have a baseline knowledge. My grasp of the Merfolk language was rusty, at least. I vaguely recalled some lessons during my days at the Academy, but that felt like so long ago now

Nicholas I had no idea why I decided to help Piper. She had betrayed me in the past. By all accounts, I should have been pleased to see her fail. Yet, when I stood outside the sitting room and heard Lena suggest the traditional punishment for Piper, I couldn’t stand idly by and do nothing. The

I stared at Julian, disbelieving my ears. Did he really just ask me for a solo date? Yet everyone in the whole ballroom was looking at us. Julian still held the microphone up to his mouth. This was definitely happening. It wasn’t a dream. Which meant that Julian was up to something. “Why?” I

Julian showed up with the nanny early the next morning. Fortunately I was an early riser and had just finished changing into my day clothes. He held out a spare cup of coffee. “You ready? We have to be quick to get out of here before anyone notices.” I cast him a doubtful look. “’Before anyone n

Quickly, I exited the car. Julian sighed, threw the car into park, and got out too. “Over here, Piper,” Nicholas said, motioning to the space beside him. Obediently, I went where he directed. Softly, he asked me, “Are you alright?” The question startled me a moment. I wasn’t sure why he cared.