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Red claimed my father’s face and neck. “Get out of my sight. All of you.”
The healers and mersoldiers scurried out.
My mermen stood by my side.
A splinter tore through the center of my chest. My father had just told me that I was free to choose, and when I did, he insulted my mermen. He might have been the King of Tritonia, but he was not the ruler of my heart.
“No,” I told him. “They’ve claimed me as their mate, and I them. If you do not accept it, then I will leave the kingdom tonight and never return.”
The stern gaze my father regarded me with cut me to pieces. That was my cue to leave. There would be no changing his mind.
“Goodbye, Father,” I said, drifting out of the cave.
Fin met me at the entrance and swept me into his arms. “Princess, are you mad? You just defied the king.”
Yes, I supposed I was going mad. Such was the effect these three had on me. They’d swept my heart into a tangled mess and left me trapped in their love. I’d do anything to be with them, even if it meant leaving everything, my family included, behind.
I yanked free of Fin. “Let’s leave before my father has us arrested.”
Nemo blocked my way out. “Let your father cool down first.”
“You heard what he said,” I snapped, all caught up in the fury and sadness ruling my emotions. “He thinks you’re not good enough for his daughter. There’s no reasoning with a stubborn fool like him.”
Fin took my hand and stroked it. “Don’t speak ill of your father like that.”
Poseidon. Where would I be without my beloved and practical Fin?
“He wants to tear us apart,” I said, my voice wavering.
Emotions poked at my chest like a dam waiting to burst. A voice in my mind screamed at me to leave and never return. I couldn’t bear the heartbreak of my father turning his back on me.
Gill held me tightly, and I buried my face in his chest. “Shhh,” he whispered, brushing hair from my neck and laying light, feathery kisses there.
One of the other mermen took my hand. “Everything will be all right, your royal ass.” Nemo. Always up for a joke. “You’ll see.”
For once, I hoped he was right. His optimism was a beacon in the darkness, and I clung to it for all hope.
Gill rested the top of his head on mine. His heart kept a soft, steady beat. I fell under its spell, listening to it, letting it fill me, calm me, give me strength. I clung to his strength, letting it wrap around me and give me courage to face my future with all my heart.
These three had changed me in profound ways. Fin had shown me how to take charge of my own destiny and stand up for what I believed in. Nero’s sunshine had filled me with cheer and joy. Gill’s courage had shown me that taking chances paid off and that I should never apologize for being true to myself.
Someone cleared his throat behind us, and I jolted from Gill’s arms to confront my father.
“Perhaps I was a little hasty,” he said.
His admission had me rocking on the spot. It was a rare day for the king of Tritonia to admit he was wrong. “Maybe I ought to determine why my daughter is so fond of you all.”
My jaw fell open. This I had not anticipated, as much as I’d wanted for him to give my mermen a chance.
“I remember you.” My father pointed one huge finger at Nemo. “You were but a frightened little boy when my men presented your family at court.”
No one could say my father didn’t have a brilliant memory.
Nemo smiled and bowed his head. “That’s right, my king.”
My father laughed. “When my daughter entered, your eyes lit up and never left her. I recall you vowed to marry her.”
Nemo stood tall and proud. “My intentions haven’t changed.”
