I tossed and turned in bed, my heart pounding. My eyes flew open as a scream broke from my lips, those outstretched hands hovering inches from my throat disappearing as the familiar surroundings of our room came into view. Jay's eyes opened, scanning me for signs of injury. A shaky smile appeared on my face as I shook my head. He looked me over once more before his eyes closed and he was asleep.

A glance outside told me it was late—well past midnight. I silently rose from the bed and swam out of our room. A flash of brown hair from the kitchen had me grabbing a hidden dagger as I swam inside, my heart in my throat. As if my thoughts had summoned him, he was there, a dagger in his hand as he scanned me.

My hands trembled violently as I grabbed the notepad and scribbled a message. What are you doing here?

He smirked. Naia didn't tell you I was coming? The familiarity with which he wrote told me he knew plenty about our strained relationship. My dagger was back in my hand as I read the words.

A thought hit me as I reread his message. Naia knows you're here?

Brandon nodded. She was the one who told me to come. So I could tell you the truth.

His last word sent shivers down my spine. What truth? The paper shook in my grip.

He held his hands out to me, an invitation. It was only as I took them that I noticed the Lost Soul Pendant dangling from his neck. I tried to wrest free from his grip, but he was too strong. I closed my eyes, a familiar scenario playing out in my head. I recognized the room, the furniture—it was where I'd lost my hearing.

It was exactly as Naia had described it—with one difference. Brandon was hidden in the shadows, an evil grin on his face as he whispered under his breath. My heart stopped completely as I read his lips. It was the same spell Tiger Shark had uttered—word for word. I froze, mouth open in horror as a familiar face came into view, eyes squeezed shut and her hands clamped over her ears. It was me.

Tiger Shark swam in, his face blank as she noticed me. It was only when my mouth opened in a scream that he swam over to Brandon and joined him, their voices rising above my screams. Ghosts swarmed around me, running their transparent fingers across my cheeks, mouths open as they screamed. My body went taut, then limp as I collapsed on the ground, my arms hanging limply at my sides.

As quickly as it had begun, the vision ended. I scrambled backwards into a kitchen chair, upending it with a crash. Brandon grinned, then saw himself out. Light streamed into the kitchen, the only sign that any time had passed. I sank to the floor, trembling. Tears ran down my face before I even realized I was crying.

A blurry face was in front of me, his brown hair messy—like he'd been running his fingers through it. Jay's face was pale, his eyes wide. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, gently lifting me off the ground and carrying me to our bedroom.

All the energy had been sucked from my body. I barely had enough strength to breathe. He looked like he wanted to say something as I settled into bed—and he probably would have, had the door not opened a moment later. Naia swam in, her face pale and worried.

Jay's nostrils flared, his jaw clenching as he noticed Naia. Though not directed at me, it was one of the few times I'd ever seen him lose his temper. That anger, raw and unchecked, sent shivers down my spine.

I grabbed his hand, weakly squeezing it. He faced me, his expression softening. I can handle it. Go make sure nothing else was disturbed. I'll let you know if I need anything.

He hesitated, the expression in his eyes betraying his thoughts. He didn't trust Naia. But he trusted me. Silently, he rose from the bed and swam out of the room. My hands were moving before she even had a chance to open her mouth. How could you? Why would you keep this from me?

It was all I could do to keep from releasing the notebook and closing my hands around her neck. The thought of that—violence toward my own sister—should have sent shame flowing through me; instead, all I felt was an emptiness.

Real tears flowed down her face as she stared at me. I wanted to tell you. So many times. I just didn't know how.

A numbness had started to settle in my body as exhaustion coated my bones. I barely had enough strength to form the letters I knew would wound her. You and Brandon are hereby banished from Aegrem. If you are caught within its border, you will be executed.

My face was blank as I signed, despite the exhaustion clawing at me. She stumbled backwards as if she'd been struck. Her face was deathly pale as she stared at me, her gaze pleading. After a few heartbeats, she left the room, her body lined with sadness.

Jay and the others swam in, mixed expressions of anger and concern on their faces. As I looked into his eyes, though, I saw worry wedged beside the other two emotions. Even though he hadn't been present for my conversation with Naia, I knew he'd be pressing me for information later. He took my hand as he led me to a chair. What do you need? He asked.

I took a shaky breath, steeling myself. Translate for me when I make the announcement. My other unspoken request filled the water: Be there with me.

The thought of it made me want to pass out, but I knew I had to. Jay kissed my cheek. Whatever you need.

I was having trouble focusing as we swam outside and through town, all the while telling every mermaid and merman we saw to meet at the Whispering Reef. I faltered as we swam in front of the crowd, Jay's hand unwavering on my back. David, Bella, and Meri floated beside us, solemn and staring straight ahead.

Jay glanced at me, nodding. After a startling discovery was made by Queen Nerissa, she and I have issued a decree that Naia Singh and Brandon Monroe have been banished from Aegrem. If they are caught within either town's borders, they are to be executed on sight.

A tremor ran through me as the last words were signed. After hearing about Brandon's treachery, his exile was something I had not hesitated to make official. Regardless of what Naia had felt for him, what he did was unforgivable.

Jay's hand tightened on my back. The crowd was silent, then one merman shouted something. One by one, the rest of the crowd echoed him, until cries of "All hail King Jay and Queen Nerissa" filled the water. Though I couldn't hear what was being said, the tightening of Jay's hand on mine and the joy on his face told me all I needed to know. Tears of joy were streaming down my face.

The crowd dispersed moments later, many of them stopping to congratulate me or offer a kind word. By that point, I was barely holding it together. As soon as we had left the crowd behind, the tears began flowing.

Jay wrapped me in a hug as we arrived home, stroking my hair as I sobbed. What happens now? I asked when my tears finally subsided.

He took a deep breath, gesturing to someone. David and Bella swam in, the former holding in tears, the latter crying openly. We're going back to Pelathas. Our coronation is coming up and we need to oversee the repairs to the city.

The thought of not having David and Bella here was terrifying, but I reassured myself that it wouldn't be forever. We'll be there in the front row cheering you on. Take care of yourselves.

Bella and I were both sobbing as we clutched each other. David's eyes shone with tears when we hugged. As the others said their goodbyes, I swam into the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea and flinched when I saw the black hair of a merman outside. I opened the door to reveal a grave expression on the merman's face as he handed me an envelope.

The sadness disappeared from my body like water going down a drain as I opened the letter, the unfamiliar scrawl sending chills down my spine. I had never met the sender, but I knew who it was by the harshness with which he'd written the letter.

One passage in particular caught my eye, stealing the water from my lungs. A little fishy told me that my son and daughter have been travelling with you. I also heard they're due to have a coronation soon. Anyway, down to business. Your father came to me before his unfortunate death, introduced himself, told me who you were, and explained the little 'deal' he'd made with you. I was entrusted with continuing to make sure his 'tasks' were being completed. Come to Aegrem's town square on this date to receive your latest task. Don't be late.

A hasty date had been scrawled at the bottom of the letter, near where his signature should've been. I barely had enough time to stuff the letter in my pocket as a hand appeared on my shoulder. David's normally dark skin was pale, but a shaky smile bloomed as he looked at me. It's time.

Jay and I clutched each other's hands as we swam with David and Bella to the edge of Aegrem's border. The tears began anew as we hugged one last time. We had almost reached the house when a sudden, almost unbearable wave of pain moved through my shoulder. It was so sudden I almost brushed it off.

The pendant glowed at my neck as if in answer. Jay's face paled as he noticed it. I closed my eyes, a silent tremor running through me. I ran through possible solution after possible solution, trying to find a loophole. I was in way too deep. The only question was, would I be able to make it out unscathed?

Final chapter! Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed and favourited!