Early the next morning, I was awake before the sun had even risen over the water. I'd slept fitfully the night before, partly because of Kai not being there and partly because of the nightmares that had haunted me. Each one had left me shaking and gasping for water as I'd opened my eyes. I couldn't stop replaying the moment I was shoved to the side, causing the concrete to miss me by inches.

I'd seen the crimson-and-gold blur, but it wasn't until later that I'd realized who it had been. Kai. He could have been killed, but he risked his life to save me. Transparent faces appeared in the edges of my vision, eyes filled with malice. '"This is your fault, you know.'" "'A shame, too. You could have avoided it so easily.'"

I didn't need them to remind me of that. I got dressed in a daze, pulling on a purple-and-grey dress before leaving my parents' suite. It was barely dawn, so luckily, the waters were deserted. When I arrived at the hospital, I realized my hands were shaking. I tried to take a deep breath, but it felt like an anchor was sitting on my chest.

Tears blurring my vision, hopelessness almost overwhelming me, I swam blindly to Kai's hospital room. I was already crying when I swam inside. When I felt hands on me, I almost flinched, but the voice that spoke was soothing, motherly. "Come sit down, Isadora. It's okay."

Queen Katrina's grip was soft as she led me to a chair beside Kai's hospital bed. In my haze of shame and anger, I vaguely recalled her words from yesterday, that Kai would be able to go home today. He quickly got dressed then sat on the edge of the bed. His arm was still in a sling, but his eyes looked clearer than they had the first time I'd been here.

I saw the worry and concern in them, but that only made me cry harder. I tried to speak, but any words were drowned in a torrent of tears. They never pressed me, just waited for the tears to finally cease.

"It's all my fault," I choked out, sniffling. My breath hitched as I tried to calm down; every time I thought the tears were slowing, another wave would crash over me. "You should never have saved me."

He sat up in a rush, barely wincing at what the sudden movement must have done to his arm. With his free hand, he grabbed mine, squeezing gently. I looked into his eyes, taken aback by the intensity of his gaze. "Don't ever say anything like that again," he said softly.

Queen Katrina put a hand on my back, her touch calming my pounding heart. "Is everything okay?"

"Is this still about the attack?" Kai asked.

I opened my mouth to answer, but froze as I saw translucent figures appear in the edges of my vision. "'Yeah, Izzy. What's this really about?'" "'Could it be that you blame yourself for not being able to save Nadia?'" "'Or is it something else?'"

I clenched my hands into fists, letting the anger, shame, and grief wash over me instead of filling me. This wasn't about Nadia. Or the attack itself. It was about the fact that even though I'd done everything I could to get everyone out, it still hadn't been enough. I'd let my anger at Stella blind me. I'd assumed the shock on Uncle Noah's face had been aimed at Stella, but what if it'd been aimed at me?

As much as I dreaded it, I knew what I had to do. I had to find Uncle Noah. I had no idea where to start looking, but I'd check everywhere in Aegrem and go from there.

I felt something brush against my face and glanced at Kai, the darkness in his eyes calming. "I'm coming with you," he said.

I hated that he'd gotten caught up in this, but I knew he wouldn't let me go alone. Halfheartedly shaking my head, I tried to dissuade him. "No. You're still recovering." If I was being honest, though, the thought of facing my uncle alone almost made me chicken out.

Before he could open his mouth and respond, we all turned at the sound of a door opening. My eyes widened at the sight of the two mermen, the determination on their faces. "Your mother sent for us, Princess," Jesper said, voice calm as he spoke.

I glanced from him to Troy, a lump appearing in my throat. "We will accompany you on your journey and keep you safe." It was as if he'd somehow known about our conversation beforehand.

"Okay. I'm going," I said, as if voicing the thought would magically give me the courage I needed. Kai reached out and caught my hand, determination in his gaze. With his free hand, he cupped my face, kissing me deeply.

"I love you," he said, eyes searching my face. "Come back to me."

Whenever I looked into his eyes, it was as if we were the only two people in the room. I tried my hardest to steady my hands as we readied ourselves to leave. We had just reached the door to his room when I suddenly turned and looked back at him.

"I love you, too," I said, voice breaking on the last word. My bag bumped against the doorframe as we left the room, my grip white-knuckled on the straps. When we'd emerged from the hospital out into the open water, I turned around, looking both Jesper and Troy in the eyes. "I have no idea what I'm swimming into, or even if this journey will prove successful. I'm giving you a chance now to respectfully back out."

They didn't even glance at one another before Jesper responded. "We're with you all the way, Princess." His voice was unwavering as he spoke, the determination in it reminding me of Kai.

Troy echoed the sentiment, gaze firm as he stared at me. I felt a sudden rush of gratitude for these two mermen having the courage to go in blindly, to face whatever came their way. I tugged my cloak tighter around myself as I swam. The current was full of mermaids and mermen out enjoying the beautiful day. Many gave me warm smiles and nods as they saw us.

I respectfully inclined my head to each of them, but didn't stop to speak. If I did, I knew I'd just chicken out. I was tense and jumpy the whole time we swam, flinching at every noise. When we reached the outskirts of Aegrem, a familiar voice filled my ears. "Isadora."

I had to restrain myself from immediately going for the daggers at my waist. I slowly turned around, meeting wary eyes. Uncle Noah had a cautious expression on his face as we stared at one another. He put his hands out in front of him, as if anticipating a fight. "Hear me out," he said, voice surprisingly calm.

I took a deep breath in through my nose, exhaling heavily and nodding. It took all of my self-control to do as he said and not immediately start shouting at him.

"Jay came to me a few days ago and told me how you've had difficulty recovering from the attack." His eyes were devoid of emotion as he stared at me. "I figured you might have questions about it, so I came back here, hoping we'd run into each other." As the last word left his mouth, he took a breath.

I opened my mouth, the questions suddenly pouring out. "What were you doing outside our suite right before the attack? Were you working with Stella?" The name came out before I could stop it. I felt more than saw the hurt flash across his face.

He shook his head. "No, of course not. I'd actually stopped by to surprise your parents by taking them out to breakfast." The sincerity in his words surprised me. "I had no idea Stella would be there, nor that she would do anything like that."

I nodded, wanting to believe him more than anything. But a small voice in the back of my head told me not to trust him, that he could just as easily be trying to double-cross me. As if summoned by my thoughts, the ghosts resurfaced, voices grating and gazes piercing. "'After everything he's done, do you really expect him to just slip back into the role of loving, supportive uncle?'" "'After everyone he's hurt?'"

"Why?" I suddenly asked. "What made you suddenly decide to come back to us?" My voice was heavy with grief and anger, and my eyes never left his as I waited for his response.

He swam towards me and took my hand, grip warm. "I could apologize for the rest of my life and it would never be enough. When I saw my parents for the first time after they'd come back to life, it was as if I was seeing the world through new eyes. For the longest time, I hated myself for what I'd done with..." he trailed off, shame and disgust mingling in his words, "them. The chance of rebuilding my relationship with my parents and brother made me realize what I'd done was wrong."

My chin trembled, eyes welling with tears. I furiously blinked them away, trying to focus on the blurry figure in front of me. "I know that it'll take some time for you to forgive me, but I hope that we can be a family again someday." Uncle Noah's eyes were bright, his gaze clear. I tore my hand from his grip, turning away before I completely broke down.

I wanted to forgive him, too. I wanted him to be back in our lives, but it was too soon. I wasn't ready. The tears slipped down my cheeks as I swam back to where Jesper and Troy were waiting. They took one look at my face and nodded. I didn't even have the energy to respond.

I couldn't stop seeing his face when he mentioned Dad and their parents. When I finally got back to the palace, it was early evening. I hadn't realized how much time had passed. Kai met me in the entryway, eyes searching my face.

My body was shaking with the force of my tears. He took my hand, leading me down the endless hallways to our rooms. Only when he'd shut the door behind us did he speak, his voice low. "Let me know when you're ready to talk."

After what just happened, all I wanted to do was sleep. I could barely keep my eyes open. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

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