Weak sunlight filtered through our bedroom windows when I opened my eyes. Blinking against the glare, I frowned when a sharp pain occurred in my neck. After a few more blinks, my surroundings came into view, details slowly clicking into place. I wasn't in our bedroom. I wasn't even in the palace.

I pushed myself upright with a gasp from where I'd curled up on the cave floor with my cloak rumpled and warm beneath me. Weak sunlight indeed filtered into the cave, but I knew I was a long way away from home. For a split second, I hated sending everyone into a panic, but then I thought of Waverly and the harsh words between us.

Maybe space from everyone right now was what I needed. At the same time, a horrible, empty loneliness spread through me.

Fragments of our argument floated through my head, lodging in the crevices of my mind like sea glass into flesh. "'But that's no reason to stop living your life.'" "'I know you're hurting, Faye.'" "'I understand that the pain may never go away.'"

"'After you received the most shocking and heartbreaking news ever, how did you react?'" "'Did you seek out those closest to you, knowing they could help ease the burden?'" "'Or did you close yourself off, wallowing in your grief and anger because it was easier than admitting the truth?'"

I hated that I'd lashed out at her, loathed the words I'd spat. I knew they'd struck her as effectively as her own had cut me. My stomach growled, the sound jolting me out of my thoughts.

Judging from how my head spun whenever I moved, it had been a long time since I'd last eaten or drank. I was hesitant to leave the relative safety of the cave, but I knew I couldn't go much longer without food. In my furious haste, I'd left my messenger bag in our suite. I carefully rose from the cave floor, grabbing my cloak and shaking it out before slinging it over my shoulders.

Taking a steadying breath, I exhaled deeply before cautiously swimming to the mouth of the cave. I didn't recognize my surroundings, but I could tell I wasn't anywhere near Pelathas. I swallowed hard, pushing past the lump in my throat. All I wanted to do was let the empty loneliness consume me, but I knew I had to keep moving.

Various sea creatures crossed my path as I swam, but I paid them no heed. My entire focus was on breathing and staying upright. I swam until exhaustion crept back into my bones, forcing me to pause. When I caught my breath and looked up, my heart leaped into my throat. Buildings in the distance caught my eye, filling me with wary hope. I moved closer, almost sinking to the seafloor as I neared Nepptheas' entrance.

I felt more than saw the curious and concerned glances thrown my way, but again, I paid them no heed. I passed various buildings, halting when I saw a vaguely familiar sign—The Ocean Blue Café. Vaguely, I remembered Aunt Nerissa's stories of her time working here.

I let out a sigh of relief as I swam inside and sat in a corner booth, lowering my head into my trembling hands and rubbing my face. "Hello." I jerked upright at the mermaid's voice, meeting warm, dark grey eyes.

When I didn't respond, her eyes softened, filling with concern. It was only when she opened her mouth that I noticed she held a plate of shrimp and a mug of bubble tea. I watched as her gaze flicked from my face down my body, taking in my silt-covered clothes and weary expression. "My name is Stella." As the words left her mouth, she placed the mug and plate before me.

I didn't even have the energy to voice my confusion. I gave her a weary nod of thanks in place of a smile. She eyed my trembling hands, then met my eyes again. "You're Queen Isabella's daughter, aren't you?" I was surprised when she didn't coat the words with scorn but pure curiosity.

Another nod, this one preceded by a shaky intake of breath. Whether Stella saw the agony on my face or merely perceived it by my body language, she didn't push. "Let me know if you need anything else."

As she swam away, I placed a shrimp in my mouth, not tasting anything. I rolled my neck as I chewed, trying to ease the ache. I lingered long after I'd finished my food and tea, unwilling to leave the sanctuary of the restaurant. It wasn't until a tear splashed onto my plate that I realized I was crying.

Silent sobs wracked my body: agony, anger, regret, and pain pouring off me in waves. I pulled my hood over my head, hoping it would block my face from view. I hated the fear and worry my parents, Jonah, and Drew must be feeling right now, but every time I thought about coming back home, I thought of the explanation they would indeed want—the words I knew I'd be unable to voice. My heart skipped a beat as I heard the front door open, and then a sharp gasp pierced the fallen silence.

"Faye?" The voice was broken, choked. I swallowed hard at the lump in my throat, the fresh tears that pricked at the corners of my eyes. When I looked up, a blurry face appeared in my vision. I wanted to move, but I was frozen. I held still as Mom's arms came around me, then went limp.

I hadn't let anyone embrace me since... it happened. I hadn't realized how much I'd craved another's touch. My body had moved past what Zander had done, even if I hadn't. I wasn't fully healed—not in the slightest—but I realized I couldn't go for the rest of my life without being embraced.

Mom was sobbing; her words were all but indecipherable through her tears. If I were to go for the rest of my life without being embraced—if I remained trapped in that victim's mindset—it meant Zander would have truly and irrevocably won. He may have broken something inside me, but I did not deserve to suffer forever—even though the loss of Waverly hurt more than being pierced by the sharpest dagger.

Neither of us spoke for quite some time. Only when our sobs lessened to sniffles did we finally break apart, clutching each other's hands. "Oh, honey," Mom whispered, her hand shaking as she gently touched my cheek. "Yesterday, Laguna told us Waverly had locked herself in her suite and wouldn't come out or speak to anyone."

A sharp intake of breath, and then she spoke again. "Jonah appeared a moment later, and he was frantic. He said that he couldn't find you. I immediately contacted Izzy and Jay, who said they hadn't seen you in a few days. I was going to Nepptheas' palace to see if Queen Irvetta and King Marlin had heard any news. When I saw you through the window..." Her voice broke as she dissolved into tears again.

She held me at arm's length, surveying my weary appearance and haggard expression. "Where have you been? Are you okay?"

I wordlessly shook my head, guilt and regret hitting me again. When Stella appeared again, her voice brimming with relief, she sighed as she inclined her head to Mom. "Your Majesty. I hope you don't mind. She looked so..." Stella trailed off as Mom held up a hand, a relieved and tearful smile on her face.

"No apologies necessary, Miss..." It was Mom's turn to trail off as she looked from me to Stella. Stella caught my eye, but I couldn't speak.

"Lockwood, your Majesty. Stella Lockwood. You may not remember, as it was quite a long time ago, but I was once one of Queen Nerissa's ladies-in-waiting." Regret filled each word so heavily it was almost potent.

Mom's eyes darkened, but the smile remained on her face. "A wise mermaid once told me you are not your past mistakes. All that matters is the future and the choices you make." Her voice wavered on the last word as she squeezed my hand again.

Stella stifled a gasp as her eyes filled with tears. Mom's voice was weary as she spoke again. "Thank you so much for looking after my daughter. I will never forget the kindness you showed her." She may have looked calm on the outside, but the way her hand trembled as it held mine told me that she remembered the events that led to Stella working here.

She wrapped an arm around me as I carefully rose from the chair, tightening her grip as I wobbled. "I've got you, honey," Mom murmured as we swam out of the restaurant together.

I leaned my head against Mom's shoulder as we swam, exhaustion plaguing me heavily enough that every stroke took almost all my concentration. When I finally spoke, we could see the palace in the distance. "Mom," I began, my voice ragged.

I felt the shudder go through her at the sound of my voice. "Honey, you don't have to—" She broke off as I took a shaky breath. Exhaling deeply, I took several more deep breaths before speaking again.

"No, please. I—I need to say this." We were approaching the palace entrance, the guards at the front straightening and bowing as they opened the doors for us. "What happened may have changed me inside and out, but I can't live in fear anymore. I can't go the rest of my life without being embraced."

Tears formed in my eyes, but I blinked them away. "I need to talk to Jonah. Do you know where he is?" Even as I said the words, that old panic reared its ugly head again. But I shoved against it, reminded myself for the umpteenth time that I was safe with him, that he would never even consider harming me.

Mom searched my face before nodding. "He hasn't left your suite since yesterday. I think he blames himself."

I turned away before she could see the tears fill my eyes, then consequently spill down my cheeks. It was more than wanting Jonah's touch—I needed it. My very bones were crying out for it. In the weeks and months following what happened with Zander, I'd closed myself off so thoroughly that I'd forgotten what it was like to be genuinely and lovingly embraced by someone.

When I reached our suite, it took everything in me not to rush inside. With a shaking hand, I knocked on the door, the sound echoing in the hallway's silence. I had time to take all of a ragged breath before the door cracked open. My heart broke in half as I glimpsed my husband's face.

He looked like he hadn't slept in months. His eyes were bloodshot, and his gaze blank as he stared at me without seeing me. One glance at his rumpled shirt told me he had not bothered to change in quite some time. His hair was sticking up in various directions, almost like he'd been running his fingers through it. A broken sob escaped my mouth as I took a breath and tried to speak.

"Jo—" My voice caught as more tears spilled down my cheeks. He showed no indication he'd heard me, nor that he even realized I was there. I took another steadying breath, pushing past the lump in my throat. "Jonah?"

The instant his name left my lips, a switch flicked in his brain. He blinked several times as if emerging from darkness, eyes widening as he beheld me. His whole body trembled as he reached for me. I gently caught his hand, placing it on my cheek as tears streamed down my face.

"I'm home," I choked out, sadness, grief, anger, exhaustion, and depression washing over me. "I'm home."

Jonah hesitated for all of a heartbeat before throwing his arms around me. I held him with every ounce of strength in my body, savoring the feel of him. I could feel him trembling as silent sobs wracked his body.

When he finally spoke, it was all I could do to keep clinging to him, to not collapse in a heap of regret. "You came home."

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