Chapter 3

That afternoon, stylists and tailors from the court arrived at the castle.

Tonight was the Eve of the Tides, the night of the royal Tide Banquet.

Alaric, Caspian, and Lucian would all be there.

In the past, I would be by their side, wearing a gown they had chosen for me.

But today, all the stylists swarmed Evelina.

"Miss Evelina, this moonspun gown perfectly suits your aura."

"Miss Evelina, your collarbones are exquisite. This starlight diamond necklace is perfect for you."

I sat on a sofa in the corner, watching them.

The scales on my left arm had reached my elbow. I had to wear a long-sleeved silk robe.

The gills in my throat felt wider. Every breath was a dry, burning sensation in my lungs.

To avoid suspicion, I picked up a glass of ice water and took a small sip.

Evelina emerged in her gown. She looked like a saint, untouched by the world.

Alaric, Caspian, and Lucian's eyes lit up.

"Evelina, that dress is perfect on you," Alaric said, his praise overflowing.

"You'll be the brightest jewel of the evening," Caspian said, brushing away imaginary dust from her skirt.

Lucian even knelt on one knee to fasten the buckle on her diamond-studded heels.

"My little princess, are you ready to be adored by all?"

Evelina smiled shyly, but her eyes flickered past them to me.

"Sister Seraphina, why haven't you changed?"

She walked over, feigning surprise as she looked at my faded silk robe.

"Tonight is the Tide Banquet. If you go dressed like that, you'll embarrass Captain Alaric and Duke Caspian."

I put down my water. I didn't answer her.

I couldn't go.

I could feel the blood slowing in my veins. My heartbeat was getting weaker.

Mermaids don't have heartbeats.

"I'm not going tonight," I said, looking at Alaric. My tone was flat.

His smile faded. He frowned again.

"Seraphina, what is this now?"

"The entire court will be there. If you don't show up, what will people think?"

"Are you still upset about the amulet? We just want you to learn to be more tolerant. It doesn't mean we don't love you."

Caspian walked over, his voice sharp.

"That's enough, Seraphina."

"Evelina already collected the ashes of the amulet and put them in your room. What more do you want?"

"Do you need her to kneel before the holy icon and repent before you'll be satisfied? Don't mistake our patience for a license to bully her."

Lucian snorted, crossing his arms.

"She just wants an excuse not to go tonight. So she can embarrass all of us."

"She's always been like this. Selfish and dramatic. She takes our love for granted and acts like a tyrant."

I looked at the three men who had once sworn to protect me with their lives. Alaric had taken a poisoned arrow for me. Caspian had stayed up all night brewing fever-reducing potions. Lucian had defied the entire royal court for me. Now, for another woman, every word they spoke nailed me to a cross of shame.

"I don't feel well," I tried to explain. It was pointless. I knew that.

"Not well?" Alaric looked me over. "You look a little pale. Otherwise, you seem fine."

"Seraphina, you used to fake headaches, fake fainting spells. We played along."

"But this is the Tide Banquet. I expect you to know what's important. After tonight, you can throw whatever tantrum you want. We'll be there for you."

Just then, Evelina noticed a small crystal vial on the coffee table.

It was my ice-breath potion. The only thing that eased the burning pain in my gills.

"Sister Seraphina, what's this?"

She reached for it curiously.

I moved to stop her on instinct.

"Don't touch it!"

But my left hand was stiff. Useless. I was too slow.

The moment her fingers touched the vial, she snatched them back as if burned by holy light.

The vial fell. It shattered on the floor.

The glowing blue potion spilled everywhere.

"Ah—" Evelina cried out, clutching her fingers. "It's so cold..."

Alaric rushed over in three strides. He shoved me. Hard.

My back slammed into the iron armrest of the sofa with a dull thud.

I didn't feel pain. My back was already covered in thick scales.

But the groan of my bones was nothing compared to the sharp, tearing agony in my heart. He had sworn to protect me. Promised no one would ever harm a single hair on my head. Now he'd pushed me aside. For another girl.

"What happened? Evelina, are you hurt?" Alaric stared at her hand, his voice tight with worry.

Her fingers had only touched the cold liquid. Her skin wasn't even broken.

"I'm fine... It's just... Sister Seraphina yelled at me. I got scared..."

Caspian whirled on me, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Seraphina! What is wrong with you?"

"Evelina just touched your potion. Why did you scream at her? She's so fragile. How could you scare her like that?"

Lucian ground the glass shards under his expensive dragon-leather boot, crushing them into dust.

"You're always messing with these strange potions. I think you really are cursed with some dark magic."

I stared at the blue puddle on the floor.

That was the only thing that could have helped me breathe tonight.

I slowly got to my feet. I looked at them.

"I'm sorry," I said. My voice was so empty, even I didn't recognize it.

They all stared, surprised by my quick surrender. For a second, a flicker of pity crossed Alaric's face. He opened his mouth, as if to say something.

"I apologize. I'll be at the banquet tonight."

Because after midnight, it would be the Night of the Tides.

I had to be there.

For one final goodbye.