“May I have this dance?”

I stiffened at the sound of the familiar deep voice behind me. I hadn’t seen Dane yet. Not since the ceremony. And I wasn’t sure I was ready to face him. I’d already planned to make myself scarce if he was around. And now here he was, sneaking up on me.

Annaruth had guided us into the castle, introducing me to the guards. To my surprise, they knew who I was. They even knew Beazil. They showed no fear, though I did notice they gave him a wide berth as we swam through the wide gates.

We’d settled him in the stables, where Annaruth said he could come and go at his leisure. I’d laughed when she’d said ‘leisure.’ That was Beazil’s middle name.

I shook my head wryly.

I had no doubt my shark was about to get very fat.

He’d been immediately presented with two barrels full of shrimp, with the promise of more to come. Bottomless barrels, so to speak. I’d left him munching happily with a promise to see him in the morning.

Then I’d been shown to my rooms, which were beyond all expectations. I was still in shock about the housing I’d been given. I was struggling to believe such extraordinary rooms were truly mine. Yet, from what I could tell, they were. Both rooms were large and so beautiful, elegantly decorated in blue, green, and gold, with a separate sitting room. The bedroom came complete with an enormous wardrobe full of gowns, tunics, and of course, several identical versions of my Spark uniform.

Annaruth had insisted that I change into a dark green and gold gown before the ball began. I didn’t give a thought to my hair until she took control of that too. Finally, she gave me a gentle nudge toward a human-made mirror. It was massive and so clear, with intricately carved wood surrounding it. It wasn’t even slightly tarnished or rotted, the wood and glass protected by magic, no doubt.

But it was what was in the glass that made me stare in stupefied awe.

I hadn’t recognized the Mer floating there.

She was different than I was. Older. More confident. At ease in her own skin. She was pretty! I’d never imagined I’d say that about myself, but it was true. For the first time in my life, I liked what I saw when I looked at my reflection. My hair was still wild and curly, but it looked shinier, with the top lifted up and held back with two gem-encrusted combs.

And my skin! Even my freckles looked charming for once, instead of just spotty!

So, I shouldn’t be nervous now, just because there was a Prince waiting to dance with me. Right?

He swam to face me, giving Starla a nod and a smile in greeting. She’d also changed into a fuchsia-colored gown that brought out the stunning green of her hair and the gold of her eyes. We were hoping our rooms were near each other in the Castle.

Rip had already told us he was in the Elite Mermen’s wing, but there was a central hall that connected the males and females, where we could go to eat and to relax when we weren’t on duty.

I wondered if Dane would visit us there. I wondered if Lila could visit. I’d made promises to her, as well. Promises I intended to keep.

And I didn’t want her serving in my stepmother’s palace a moment more. Not after the old witch had pushed her daughter to nearly murder me. I felt a twinge of pity for my half-sister. Perhaps I’d been the lucky one. I’d had two loving parents. Even though they’d died young, they had been mine.

“You look . . .”

I gave Dane a warning look and he laughed.

“I was going to say beautiful, but that doesn’t really do you justice.”

I sighed, not sure what to say.

“Thanks?”

“You’re welcome.” He swam closer. “Will you dance with me?”

He held out his hand, and I stared at it for a moment, deciding. But it wasn’t like I was ever going to say no. I was just working up the nerve to dance with him. He was the Royal Prince, after all. I placed my hand in his and we swam onto the dance floor. I was startled when he pulled me close.

“So, do you hate me?”

I breathed out through my nose.

“No, Dane. I mean, Pollux. I mean, Your Highness.”

I stopped dancing and gave him a belated bow. He laughed and pulled me into his arms again, twirling me away from the other dancers, all craning their necks to look at us.

“You are incorrigible.” He stared at me intently. “I’m glad you aren’t impressed with my title.”

“Oh, but I am. I’m just too tired to bow properly.”

“Not too tired to dance, I hope.”

“Well, I think I could manage a song or two.”

He squeezed me, and we danced around the room, my gown swirling around us as we spun giddily in circles. We passed the podium where his mother, the Queen, sat on a gilded throne. She was beautiful, with golden waves and clear green eyes. Her gown was covered in gemstones and crusted in pearls.

“Bring her to us, Son.”

I looked up at her in awe, bowing low.

“You may rise. Leave us, Pollux.”

I cast him a panicked glance, but Dane was too busy glaring at his mother to notice.

“Mother, I warn you—”

“Now, Son.”

He gave me a quick smile and then swam off. I was sure that smile was supposed to be encouraging, but he looked worried. So . . . not reassuring. Not even a little.

“You performed well in the Trials, Katriana Spark. We are most impressed.”

“I hope to serve you well, Highness.”

“What if we don’t want you to serve as Spark, Katriana? What if we want you to become one of us? What if we want you to become Princess?”

“Princess?” I sputtered, unable to hide my shock.

“Do you love our son?”

“You are serious?”

She nodded imperiously, and I knew I had no choice but to answer.

My eyes were as wide as sand dollars. I struggled to find words. Was she proposing marriage to me? I resisted the urge to look around for an exit.

Stay firm, Tri. Be true to yourself.

“I’ve barely known him a week, Your Highness.”

“Yes. But that doesn’t answer my question.”

I tilted my head to the side and thought about it.

“Dane, I mean Prince Pollux, has been by my side through much of the Trials. He’s always done his best to help me and other Mers who weren’t as strong or skilled as he is. I admire his strength as well as his compassion. He’s bright and kind and even funny sometimes. So yes, I do care for him. He is my friend, maybe even one of my best friends. But love?” I stared her right in the face. “I have to think about it.”

The Queen stared at me in shock. I felt like sinking into the floor, which was impossible since it was inlaid marble, not the usual silt. It felt like everyone in the ballroom went silent all at once, with even the music coming to a pause. Only the tinkling of Annaruth’s laughter broke the tension.

“I told you, Your Highness, that she has a mind of her own.”

“So I see,” she said wryly. “Go and dance, child, and enjoy the ball. We will speak again.”

I bowed deeply and left, studiously avoiding Dane’s gaze as I passed him. But he was right on my fins, and being as big as he was, impossible to avoid.

“Tri!”

“What?”

I stopped near an alcove off the dance floor, spinning to face him. I gave him a brief curtsy, already knowing that this whole bowing thing was going to wear thin.

“I mean, yes, Your Highness? How can I serve?”

He pulled me into the alcove and let me go. Then he sighed, running his hand through his hair. I knew he was worried or frustrated when he did that. It was also annoyingly adorable. I ignored the warmth that pooled in my belly when I looked into his big blue eyes.

“What did you talk about?”

I stood up straighter.

“That is between me and the Queen.”

His jaw dropped as I bowed to him.

“Katriana! Please, tell me.”

“No.”

“I command you to tell me!”

“Low blow, Dane.”

“I’m sorry, I just . . . she’s up to something, Tri. I need to know what it is.”

“Fine. She asked me if I loved you.”

He looked shocked. Shocked, and then intrigued.

“What did you say?”

“That it was too soon to answer, not that it really matters.”

“Why doesn’t it matter? Of course it matters!”

“If you say so.” I shrugged and bowed again. “Now, if will excuse me, I heard there was lobster by the orchestra. I’m—”

“Hungry.” His face broke into a wide smile. “I know. Come on. I’ll show you where they hide the best stuff for the Royal family.”

My stomach rumbled and I smiled.

“Now, that is a command I will gladly obey.”

“Just one last thing…”

His eyes darkened as he pulled me close. I knew what was going to happen a split second before it did. His lips found mine, slanting this way and that. I sighed, melting into his arms.

He lifted his head but didn’t let go.

“How do you feel now? Any closer to a decision?”

I felt shaky, and hot and cold from my head to my fins. But there was no way I was going to tell him that.

“Starving?”

He laughed and shook his head.

“All right, you win.”

“Lead the way, Your Highness.”

And he did.