My hands are hovering over the daggers at my sides as I slowly turn in a circle, my eyes searching the clearing. Seaweed and rocks surround me, no signs of any life anywhere, except the occasional sea creature swimming by. When I hear my name, I whirl around, my heart jumping into my throat. "Izzy?"

A young merman is in front of me, eyes locked on my face. I scan him for any signs of harm, but thankfully find none. "What are you doing out here? Where are your parents, your sister?" Worry and unease stab at me. Something's wrong. He wouldn't just come out here alone like this.

An unfamiliar voice speaks up from behind me, making me start. "Good job, Drew. Now, go to your sister. Tell her to come back here and bring the king and queen with her." Drew's face is calm; his eyes find mine once before he quickly swims away.

Despite the fear gnawing at me, the blood pounding in my ears, I hold my head high as I slowly turn around. "Who are you?" The merman in front of me is tall, with thinning dark blond hair and eyes the color of the sea. The lines etched on his face make me think he's around Dad's age.

"My name is Jacob Mercer." As the words leave his mouth, I freeze. He's Faye, Ella, and Drew's father. Their biological father.

"Please," I say, squeezing my hands into fists to hide their shaking. "I'll do whatever you want. Just, please don't hurt them."

His next words make my blood run cold. "I'm not going to hurt them. I want to go after who killed my wife and daughter. And I could use your help." His eyes gleam with tears as he finishes speaking.

A small voice in the very back of my head is warning me against trusting him, that it could be—and quite possibly is—a trap. But as I study him—his wide eyes, the tears nearly spilling over, his fists clenched tightly at his sides—I realize he's telling the truth. He knows he's made mistakes in the past—in his own life and others'—but he's genuinely trying to make up for them.

I'm so shocked by this revelation that I don't notice anyone approaching until a hand appears on my arm. Aunt Bella is motionless beside me, eyes locked on the merman in front of us. Faye is clutching her hand tightly, eyes wide with fear. Uncle David just stares at him. "Are you okay, Isadora?" Aunt Bella asks quietly.

I can't answer. My mind is still stuck on the bombshell that just dropped, the implications of it. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Uncle David pull Drew close, murmuring to him.

Drew suddenly speaks up, his voice strong. "You promise you won't hurt my family?" Clearly he remembers his biological father's past well.

I feel more than see Jacob's wince as the words find their mark. He's staring at Drew with such regret and longing in his eyes that it nearly takes my breath away. Uncle David glances from Drew to Jacob, questions in his gaze.

A moment passes before Jacob speaks, his voice tight with unshed tears. "Yes. You have my word, Drew."

That's when I woke up, my throat tight with unshed tears of my own. I knew that their father was still alive, but I thought they hadn't heard from or spoken to him in years. I glanced at the window, noting the position of the sun. Hopefully breakfast was still being served.

I got dressed quickly, pausing in front of the mirror, staring at my cheek. The scar was almost completely healed, but the skin was still tender. I swam to the dining room, my mind racing. The first and most obvious thing to do was tell someone, but who?

Aunt Bella and Uncle David were the clear options, given that they were now Drew and Faye's parents. Mom and Dad? They'd been with them longer than Aunt Bella and Uncle David, after all.

My head was swimming, my stomach in knots when I swam to our table, a thin smile plastered on my face. I spoke only when spoken to, too distracted by the dream to come up with a proper response. I vaguely heard Kai talking about a cometball game that he'd heard about.

His voice made me jump, his hand finding mine under the table. "I spoke to Ronan this morning, and he said that everything's been quiet on on that front. Naia hasn't been seen in Nepptheas. But the king and queen are remaining vigilant, going out only when absolutely necessary, and under heavy guard." The abrupt change in subject jolted me back to the present.

As he finished speaking, I absently placed a couple pieces of shrimp into my mouth, chewing slowly. Queen Katrina's voice was soft when she spoke, filled with concern. "I think that's a good idea. I also took the precaution of adding a personal guard." I saw Kai's eyes dart to her face, surprise written on his own. Clearly, she hadn't discussed this with him.

As breakfast came to a close, I made up my mind. Before things got too out of hand—before it was too late—I would go to Pelathas, warn them. Nadia appeared at my side as I left the dining room, smiling and inclining her head. I smiled back, relieved to have her with me. After what happened, I didn't feel safe going out alone. "Is there anywhere I can accompany you, my lady?" Nadia's voice was soft, but I could hear the concern buried underneath.

I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with water, and exhaled. "Yes. I need to visit my aunt and uncle in Pelathas."

She nodded. "Lead the way." We swam in companionable silence, each of us too lost in our own thoughts to strike up a conversation. At least, I assumed that was the reason for Nadia's silence. Every once in a while, she would jerk her head around, clench her hands into fists.

When we finally got to Pelathas, it was all I could do not to rush inside the palace, head straight for the royal suite. Sobs rose in my throat, but I furiously blinked past the burning in my eyes.

Tears would help no one and nothing right now. The guards straightened as we approached the entrance, bowing. I inclined my head when they opened the doors for us. We swam through the entryway, heading through several long long hallways before finally arriving at the royal suite.

I raised my hand to knock, but it opened before I even made contact. Concerned grey eyes met my own. "Izzy? What's going on?"

Aunt Bella glanced at Nadia, who inclined her head respectfully. "Is Uncle David here?" The words were pushed out of my mouth in a single breath, barely a whisper.

She nodded, beckoning us inside. As we swam inside and she closed the door behind us, Uncle David appeared. His eyes swept over the three of us, coming back to rest on me. "Izzy? Is everything okay?"

Something cracked inside me when he spoke. Fear rushed through my veins, accompanied by urgency. The tears came back with a vengeance, blurring my vision and rolling down my cheeks. I had just opened my mouth to speak when realization washed over me, causing me to falter. Uncle David rushed forward, catching me just before I would have slammed into the seafloor.

It was Uncle Noah. I'd completely forgotten about it, had done everything I could to put it out of my mind. Mom had told me the story a few years ago, but I'd been too traumatized by it to ever bring it up again. It all came rushing back now, though, zooming through my mind like a dagger through the water.

Aunt Naia and Uncle Noah swimming into our house, accompanied by a terrified Ella; the anger in Dad's eyes when he saw his brother; Uncle Noah speaking, his words dripping with venom; Ella beside him, terror written on her face; Dad taking a stroke forward, but too late; the wicked grin on Uncle Noah's face as he snapped her neck.

I heard Aunt Bella and Nadia speaking urgently, but I couldn't make out their words. A cry escaped my lips. "I—I can't," I whispered, my voice breaking.

How could I possibly make the decision to root out a murderer, when he was someone I loved dearly? The very thought sent waves of nausea roiling through me. I vaguely registered Uncle David taking my weight, leading me to the couch in their sitting room.

I buried my face in my hands. When their suite door opened, I flinched. "David? Bella? You here?" All the color drained from my face as I sank back against the cushions. Dad.

"In here, Jay," Uncle David replied, never taking his eyes off my face. All it took was one look from Dad for me to break down again. I didn't understand how a heart could shatter multiple times but still continue to beat, however that's exactly how mine felt: shattered into a million pieces, but still beating.

He swam to me, bending down in front of me and taking my hands. "Are you okay, honey? What happened?" Mom was beside him a heartbeat later, her eyes on my face.

I sniffled, wiping tears off my face. "There's something I have to tell you. All of you." The room seemed to tilt, and I gripped Dad's hands, steadying myself. More than one heart was going to break when the truth finally came out. I just wasn't sure if they would ever fully heal.

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