I steeled myself as I swam through Aegrem, trying to ignore the stares of the mermen and mermaids as I passed them. Their gazes ranged from disgust to anger. To them, I realized, I was a traitor to the crown. A little mermaid—she couldn't have been more than six—smiled and reached out to me. Her mother saw what was happening and shook her head sharply, grabbing her daughter's arm and pulling her close.

It took everything in me to remember that this was a dream. It wasn't real. I was the true queen of Aegrem. My heart stopped as my eyes fell on a familiar face. Tiger Shark. He grinned at me, then turned to the mermaid to his left, talking quietly. Naia. All I could do was stare, eyes wide.

With a mere flick of his wrist, blood appeared on my hands, neck, and chest. Bodies surrounded me, ranging from young mermaids to old mermen. He addressed the crowd, opening his mouth to speak.

I could read his lips, but it hurt just as much as if I could hear him. "Is this truly who you want as your queen? A murderer? Would you feel safe letting your children roam the streets knowing that she sits on the throne?" His words were like knives piercing my heart.

I couldn't breathe under the weight of their stares. The little girl's smile disappeared, replaced by stark, naked fear. Her piercing blue eyes filled with tears as her mother pulled her close. The villagers spat at the ground near my tail. I could practically see their unspoken words in my head: Liar. Traitor. Murderer.

Tiger Shark gripped his pendant, eyes closed. Translucent figures floated up from the bodies onto his own, disappearing as he absorbed them. His blue eyes shone darkly as he chuckled, flexing his hands and rolling his neck.

I stared at the ground, unable to meet any of the villagers' eyes. There was no way I'd ever be able to beat him. He was too powerful. Don't you see what's happening? I wanted to scream. This is what he's been doing to your loved ones this whole time.

But I couldn't. I cowered under their disapproving gazes. Some queen I was. I squeezed my eyes shut, counted to three, then threw myself awake. Jay didn't even flinch as I sat up in bed, staring at nothing.

I took shaky breaths as I rose from the bed and swam to the bathing room. I shuddered at the thought of having to go back to that place. Yesterday was my last day at home, I realized, fear and sadness warring inside me.

My hands shook almost uncontrollably as I packed my bag then swam downstairs. Meri, David, and Bella were waiting for me in the kitchen. The latter swam to me, wrapping her arms around me. I felt the tears before I even realized I was crying. She just held me, not saying anything.

David was next. Like Bella, he was silent as we hugged. Other than Jay, he understood what I was going through better than anyone. I was wiping tears off my cheeks by the time Meri and I faced each other. Take care of them. Please. It took longer than it should have to form the words, thanks to my hands shaking.

She nodded, a mixture of worry and fury in her gaze. I was halfway out the door before I felt a hand on my back. I spun around, warm dark green eyes meeting mine. Remember, Jay signed, gesturing to the pendant around my neck, we're always with you.

I nodded, smiling through my tears. Before I'd even made it a league away from the house, the ghosts returned, this time as familiar faces. I gritted my teeth as Meri's face swam in my vision.

I was shaking by the time I arrived at Rosewood Manor. The entrance hall was empty as I swam inside. A servant swam up to me, his dark brown eyes cold, and gripped my arm.

He led me to my room and handed me a note. The scrawl was familiar, the words hitting me like a slap in the face. Rest up, Nerissa. You've got a busy few days ahead.

It was all I could do to collapse onto my bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. I dozed off with Jay's face in my mind.

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