He waited until he was certain she was asleep. It was difficult to pull himself away from her warm, relaxed body, but he wanted all her nights, not just this one.

Which meant that he had a difficult conversation ahead of him.

No one could move as silently as a shark. She never stirred as he collected his armor and slipped out the door.

The moon was dipping toward the horizon. He frowned at it as he dressed, calculating time zones. It would be very early in the morning in Atlantis, but it was his best chance of being able to make his petition in private.

Making sure his medallion of office was correctly placed over his heart, he headed for the sea. The tide was in, gentle waves lapping high up the white sands.

He let out his breath at the first welcome touch of salt water on his bare feet. It had been several days now since he had last shifted; his very bones felt dry. But there was no time to swim now. He needed his human voice for this.

Wading out to waist-depth, he touched the pearl set into his medallion. “My Empress.”

The pearl glowed softly under his hand, letting him know that his call had been heard. Nonetheless, it took several minutes before the rippling waves around him flattened into mirror-like stillness.

“Master Shark?” The Pearl Empress’s reflection peered up at him from the water. She appeared to be wearing nothing more than a sheet, so he guessed that she was using the scrying-pool in the royal apartment. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. But I must ask a favor.”

She pushed her tangled hair back from her face, her blue eyes concerned. “If you’re calling at the crack of dawn, it must be more than ‘nothing.’ What sort of favor?”

“I seek your permission to bring a…guest with me, when I return to Atlantis.”

“A guest?” Her eyebrows shot up. “You mean a dry-lander?”

Silently, he nodded. Behind his back, his fist clenched. If she says no…

She blew out her breath, looking annoyed, and his heart seized. “Master Shark, you are meant to be on vacation. Not negotiating diplomatic alliances.”

“Not a diplomatic guest. A personal one.”

She blinked. “Master Shark, you are making no sense whatsoever.”

“My Empress.” He took a deep breath, setting his shoulders. “I would like permission to bring my mate to Atlantis.”

She stared at him.

“Please,” he added, voice cracking on the unaccustomed word.

“He wants to do what?” The Royal Consort, who clearly must have been listening in, appeared over the Empress’s shoulder. The indigo-haired sea dragon was bare-chested and sleep-tousled, but still had his sword in his hand.

His stomach sank at their looks of shock. “I understand that it is unprecedented to bring a land-shifter to Atlantis. But, my Empress, if I have served you-“

“Master Shark, you can bring anyone you like here,” the Empress interrupted. Despite her words, she still looked stunned. “I owe you more than I can ever repay, after all. But…you really met your mate? On land?”

“She is a coyote shifter, a pack leader and matriarch of great standing,” he said, wishing that his harsh voice was capable of showing the pride he felt. “Her name is Martha Hernandez.”

“Martha,” the Empress repeated, a brilliant smile breaking across her face. “Oh, I can’t wait to meet her. Of course you must bring her to Atlantis.”

The Royal Consort did not seem to share his mate’s evident pleasure in the news. The sea dragon was still studying him, his stern features impossible to read.

He had feared that the Royal Consort might prove to be his enemy in this. There was no love lost between them—they both carried scars from the other’s teeth, though they had since made an uneasy peace with each other. And the sea dragon was a Knight-Poet of the First Water, honor-bound and oath-sworn. Although the Royal Consort was a little more flexible than most, sea dragon Knights were still rigid adherents to custom.

He will seek to deny me. He will argue that it is too dangerous to allow a land-shifter into Atlantis, that it would put the Empress at risk.

When the Royal Consort spoke, though, his words were utterly unexpected. “Master Shark…does she wish to come?”

He hesitated for a moment, caught off-guard. “We have not yet discussed it. But we are mates. We must be together.”

The Royal Consort nodded fractionally, as if he’d been expecting this answer. He touched the Empress’s shoulder.

“My heart,” he said softly. “May I speak with the Master Shark alone for a moment?”

The Empress narrowed her eyes at him. “John, don’t you even think about objecting based on some silly tradition. We have sea shifters venturing onto land now. It’s only right that we should welcome other shifters here in return.”

He shook his head, the golden charms braided into his hair catching the light. “I have no objection to that. But nonetheless there are security concerns that I must discuss with him, warrior to warrior. I am Imperial Champion as well as your Consort. It is a matter of duty.”

The Empress gave him an unconvinced look, but gave way. “I look forward to meeting your mate, Master Shark. I’ll be in contact to sort out the practicalities.”

The Royal Consort waited a few moments, until she had left the room. “Master Shark,” he said, his tone hardening, “if your mate does not want to come to Atlantis, will you stay with her on land?”

The question hit him like a blow. He had been so focused on pursuing his mate, he had not given much thought to what he would do if he caught her.

What if Martha didn’t wish to come to Atlantis?

“That,” he said coldly, not letting any hint of the sudden doubt he felt show in his expression, “is not a matter for your concern.”

“With respect, Master Shark, it is.” The sea dragon didn’t flinch at all from his glare. “I am responsible for the Empress’s well-being. And she needs you. The Pearl Empire needs you.”

He could not deny the truth of the Royal Consort’s words. The Pearl Empress had only reclaimed her throne recently. There were still too many enemies circling round her, hunting any opportunity to tear her down.

And he had sworn an oath to her father that he would protect her with his life.

“I am sorry,” the Royal Consort said softly, when he didn’t speak. “I know full well what it is to be caught between duty and love. And in truth, I cannot tell you to pick duty over your mate. I tried to do that, and I know now that it would have destroyed me utterly, had I succeeded.”

It was even harder than usual to force words out of his tight throat. “Then what would you have me do?”

“You must persuade your mate to come to Atlantis. For the sake of my mate.” The Royal Consort met his eyes levelly. “For all our sakes.”