The deep blue ocean wheeled overhead. His body was numb. He floated in and out of consciousness.

Soren’s face was set. So serious. He was striving for some goal. Kadir floated helplessly in his arms. Why?

Ocean again…

Kadir struggled to open his eyes. His queen. Where was she? “Elyssa—” Sharp pain pierced Kadir’s body. He spasmed.

Numbness. Flashes of light. Ocean again…

Elyssa’s sweet voice, taut with nerves. “Stay with me.”

Stay with me.

Yes. He would stay with his queen. Of course he would do this. She must stay with him. Do not go to the shore. Do not disappear. She was the reason he had flown so far…

He forced his eyes open once more. Now, he rested in the heart chamber. His body was numb again. No, he was not numb enough. A heavy weight crushed his torso. His chest and shoulders were bound tightly with sea cloth.

Elyssa’s voice sounded.

Kadir turned his head.

Everything whited out. Pain so sharp it was ripping him in half…it eased. He focused.

Another mer. Dark red tattoos. Elyssa was talking with Balim.

“Are you sure this is okay? A hole in your heart doesn’t just go away. He needs surgery.”

“He will heal. And he was lucky. The needlefish only nicked his heart.”

“If you say so.” She moved to Kadir and softened. She brushed his hair from his forehead. “Hey. Welcome back.”

“Where did I—”

White pain again. It stole his words and his thought. He stared at Elyssa’s profile until she came into focus again.

She winced. “Don’t talk. I mean, not more than you have to. I’ll talk enough for both of us.”

“Remain still.” Balim appeared over her shoulder in the tiny room. “You took five strikes and are much injured.”

“But he’ll make a full recovery, right?”

Balim hesitated. “Of course, my queen.”

Curse it all. Kadir stared at the ceiling. Even moving his eyeballs hurt. He closed his eyes. How long until he made the recovery?

He had never been full strength around Elyssa. They had barely tried to make young fry. She must leave for the surface. Her people. Would she return? Had this final accident frightened her beyond reason? Anyone would understand if she chose to stay away. He was a failed husband. He could not protect her or join with her. She had many reasons to wish not to return.

Elyssa caressed his brow. “I’m so sorry.”

Even her kindness hurt.

“That is a bruise,” Balim said.

“Ah!” Her hand withdrew. “Sorry. Sorry.”

And she used the forbidden word. Her touch hurt, but he preferred her near him, touching him, than far away, alone.

“I’ll just look,” she said, seeming to hear his unspoken desire. “I’ll be right here.”

His chest eased.

His aches increased.

Soren’s voice rumbled from the hall. “My king. I know you would want to know right away. We did not find Sea Opals. The room was empty.”

All for nothing. His injury. The warriors’ uncertainty. Kadir pressed his lips together.

“We will search again,” Soren growled. “All the rooms. Until we have found them.”

Yes. Good.

“But not before Elyssa has to go to the surface,” Balim said, the dispassionate voice of reason. “Say your goodbyes.”

He opened his eyes.

No. She must not leave him. Not when he was vulnerable like this. Not now.

Do not leave.

Elyssa floated above Kadir. She was as close as possible without actually touching him. Her liquid eyes shone so brightly. His pain eased. She would not leave—

“I’ll go as fast as I can,” she said, glowing eagerly. “I’ll explain about the Sea Opals. Aya will understand.”

She was escaping him. Eagerly escaping him. To go to the surface.

To return to her people.

And he had no choice. It was his duty as king to let her go.

Just like the old covenant.