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“I haven’t,” the Dragon Queen answers, the tips of her ears twitching as the ice dragon lets out a low whine. “Hopefully they’re also able to break the curse of their rune key and return home to the fae realm. That arrangement has always disgusted me.”

I hold my pendant protectively.

No one knows the whole truth—only Zephyr and me.

“I doubt the remaining members of Morrow’s family will go looking for them. Princess Cordelia was the Mer-King’s least-favored daughter,” James says. “Allegedly, that’s why he wanted to marry her off to someone above the sea.”

An old wound opens. Salt water rushes over it.

“His resentment had nothing to do with anything she did,” Zephyr grouses, gripping their water mug so hard I fear it might crack.

“That’s right. Her mother was the one he hated.” James holds up a finger, recalling a random fact. “Didn’t she swim off when she was pregnant with Princess Cordelia and try to hide out in her home waters?”

“She did,” Darcy confirms. “King Morrow only found them when she called a massive storm that killed dozens of sailors. They say she was the strongest stormsinger the realm has seen in centuries.”

I bite my tongue until I taste blood to stop the storm clouds rolling through my mind.

Blood on the water. The thwip of harpoons flying past my hair. Waves so big they could sink a ship.

My mother was only trying to protect me that day, and they were going to take her away. Don’t let them catch you, little tempest.

My head feels so light, I’m floating again. “Maybe the sailors deserved it.”

Everyone looks at me. Did I say that aloud?

The Dragon Queen chuckles. “They probably did.”

“You must be tired, love,” Darcy says, touching my lower back. “Let’s get you to bed. I’ll come back down and help the crew set up their tents.”

17

CORDELIA

It’s a grave error to insult dead seafarers in the Heartbreak Isles.

Darcy gives me a stern, quiet lecture as we walk through the thick, dead beachgrass leading up to the castle.

“Please be more mindful about what you say around here,” she finishes. “People won’t appreciate it if you imply that those sailors did something to deserve their fate.”

“What if they did?” I ask. “What if they were doing something terrible, and the stormsinger was defending herself?”

“The maritime laws in Seshly are just as strict as the ones in the Heartbreak Isles. ” She stops in front of the castle stairs. “Surely you understand that if seafarers do something terrible, they should be punished by the court, not wrecked to pieces by a damn sea creature.”

“Do you think the maritime laws adequately protect women, Duchess?” I challenge her.

We’ve discussed this before. She just doesn’t remember.

She stares flatly, unblinking. “What an odd question.”

She’s not ready to hear about the ethos of the Undine yet. All daughters of the moon–humans and mermaids alike–should have someone looking after them.

“You’re right. I’m very tired.” I give her an apologetic smile, but I’m not sorry. “I’ll choose my words more carefully next time.”

I’m taken to a chamber with bright teal walls and gold curtains that match the bedding. It’s a pretty place for Darcy to tuck me away and keep me from saying too much in front of her crew.

I lie back with my hands folded on my stomach, pushing against an empty feeling of homesickness. Cor’s castle is in much better shape than Blustery Heights is, but I miss the damp scent of my room there.

I’ve grown attached to the strangest things while I've been on land.