My head spun as I slowly regained consciousness. For a heartbeat, I didn't know where I was or what had happened. Blurry faces swam in my vision, occasionally clearing to reveal eyes filled with concern, then blurring again to the point where I couldn't make out anything. I slowly pushed myself up to sit, shaking my head to clear it. The movement had me biting down on a scream as pain lanced through my shoulder.

My vision slowly cleared, revealing Jay, Meri, David, and Bella, all staring at me. I took a sharp breath, steeling myself, then rose and swam to my room, getting dressed and grabbing my jacket. I knew it was an incredibly risky move, but I couldn't wait any longer. I had to see what they were planning.

Jay stopped me with a hand on my arm. What are you doing? It's not safe.

I shook my head. I can't just sit here waiting for him to suddenly decide on a task for me. I need to see what's going on.

I had barely made it a couple strokes before I felt a hand on my arm again. I didn't need to look up to know it was Jay. His eyes were filled with a mixture of anger and fear. I won't let you go alone. I'm coming with you. The rigidness of his body suggested that he wouldn't take no for an answer. I hesitated, torn. I didn't want anyone else to get caught up in this, but it would help having someone watching my back.

I finally relented, nodding at Jay. Fine. Stay out of sight. Let me handle this.

The anger and fear melted into determination as he nodded and grabbed my hand. I tried not to tremble as we swam, my heart pounding so hard I was amazed no one could hear it.

We swam through Aegrem, nodding at the mermaids and mermen that we passed. The lotus necklace lay against my neck, a comforting presence. I felt Jay stiffen a heartbeat before the stench hit me. Reeling, as if I'd been struck by a physical blow, I pulled him behind a rock, trying to quell the nausea building inside me. Multiple bodies lay on the ground, row after row of them dotting the seafloor.

Naia and Tiger Shark were in front of the bodies, talking quietly. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but they were facing me, so I could read their lips. "This should be enough to occupy Nerissa until we finish with Pelathas. After that, we'll come back and deal with the royal family."

I could feel Naia's doubt even from this far away. "How can you be so sure she'll stay away? The king and queen of Pelathas are two of her and her husband's dearest friends. You don't think word will spread about our 'activities?'"

Ire glimmered in Tiger Shark's eyes. "My only task right now is breaking her. Little by little, bit by bit, until there's nothing left of her. Everyone needs to see what a broken queen she truly is. If word spreads that she's alive, rulers of the surrounding kingdoms will turn support over to Aegrem. There's already been talk of dethroning you. No one knows Nerissa is the true queen of Aegrem. She hasn't been seen in weeks; everyone thinks her dead or gravely injured."

Ire and fury radiated off Jay; my own body was trembling so hard I thought I'd shatter. After Naia and Tiger Shark swam away, I got rid of the bodies as fast as I could. The task was infinitely more difficult because of my body trembling, but I managed. By the time I finished, I was covered in sweat and blood that wasn't my own.

I tried to stifle the sob that was dangerously close to breaking from my lips, but it slipped out before I could stop it. Hopelessness suddenly seized me, so tight I could hardly breathe. I sank to the ground, a hand on my chest as I struggled to get water in my lungs. I dimly felt the arm Jay wrapped around my shoulder, holding me upright.

Somehow, I managed to pull myself together enough to swim home. Jay was silent beside me, no doubt turning the information over in his head. My own head was spinning, unable to focus on any one thing. I was numb inside and out as I swam inside, closing the door behind me.

That familiar heaviness took over my body, making every movement a monumental effort. All I could see were the bodies in front of Naia and Tiger Shark. I suddenly flinched as I felt someone slide into bed beside me and pull me close.

Jay kissed my head as the numbness receded, quickly replaced by shock and sadness. A stifled sob escaped me, then another. My shoulders shook as I sobbed. I fell into a fitful sleep moments later.

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