After leaving the protesting human woman on the island with Morgan, the group quickly made their way to Kai's kingdom.

Destan's heart thudded with excitement, his strokes fast and determined. The idea of his mother waiting for him in the Emerald Kingdom fueled his every move.

"How does she look?" Destan asked eagerly, his voice almost boyish in its innocence. "Does she still think of me? Do you think she'll be proud of who I am?"

"Yes to the last two questions," Kai replied with a grin. "And as for the first, you'll see for yourself soon enough."

Ren's soft chuckle reached his ears. "If it makes you feel any better, I've never met the woman either."

"She's in the council," Atlantis offered, his blood-red hair trailing behind him like a fiery comet.

Destan's smile turned nervous. "I can't wait to meet her."

"Kai, what's the plan when we arrive?" Atlantis's voice held a note of seriousness. "Announce the wedding first, then introduce Destan to his mother?"

Kai groaned, running a hand down his face. "Gods, I'd almost forgotten about the wedding announcement. Top priority is to reassure my kingdom. I can't have Raius trying to claim the throne."

From the corner of his eye, Destan saw Atlantis's face twist into a grimace. Ren's gaze grew distant, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.

"Perhaps it would reassure the kingdom if the Diamond King promised himself as an ally," Destan suggested with a tilt of his head and a sly grin.

Atlantis's eyes widened. "You'd do that?"

"Of course. Kai's father took in my mother and protected her. I owe them that much," Destan said, his eyes full of resolve as the grand spires of the Emerald Kingdom came into view.

Kai's grin returned, and he reached out to clasp Destan's arm. "Then I accept your alliance, King Destan."

As if on cue, the distant sound of trumpets echoed through the water. Soldiers formed two long, regal lines, creating a path into the heart of the city. Citizens of all shapes and sizes gathered along the procession route, watching with curiosity and awe. Mermaidens darted forward, placing seashell necklaces around each of their necks before bowing reverently and darting away.

Destan watched as Kai's expression changed. His shoulders pulled back, his chin lifted, and an air of royal authority settled over him like a mantle. The sight was mesmerizing. Kai was no longer the man teasing and bickering with his companions—he was the Emerald King.

Kai's voice boomed over the crowd. "My kingdom! As you may have heard, your king has been searching for his queen—a woman to lead by my side, to guide this kingdom, and to share in our triumphs and trials."

The crowd's murmuring quieted as all eyes focused on him.

Ren's fingers twitched nervously at her sides, her eyes darting across the sea of faces. So many eyes. So many tails of different hues and patterns flashing before her. Her breathing quickened.

A warm arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her against Kai's firm chest. "Meet my people, Ren," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.

Her heart raced as her eyes met his for a moment. His steady gaze grounded her, and she took a slow, calming breath.

Kai's voice rang out again. "This is Ren. My fiancée. She was once a human, but she has been blessed by our goddess and has become one of us after saving my life. Today, I ask you, my people—do you accept Ren as your future queen?"

Gasps echoed through the crowd like the ripple of waves. For a moment, silence reigned. Ren's breath caught in her throat, and her heart clenched with fear. She'd been prepared for rejection, ready to swim away in shame.

But then the roar of applause shattered the stillness. Cheers and shouts of approval filled the kingdom's depths.

Her eyes flicked to Kai, searching his face for confirmation. His grin was wide and triumphant.

"Tomorrow will be the wedding," Kai declared, his voice carrying over the crowd's jubilation. He grabbed Ren's hand and pulled her toward the palace with dizzying speed, their friends following in their wake. The current of excitement followed them all the way to Kai's private chambers.

Ren's body floated upward as she tried to steady herself. "Holy shit!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings.

The men turned toward her, confused by her sudden outburst.

"Something wrong, Ren?" Kai asked, his brow raised. He approached and pulled her into a gentle embrace.

She wrapped her arms around him, resting her cheek against his chest. "There's just... so many of them, Kai. So many mers. I've never seen so many in one place."

Kai's chest rumbled with a soft, amused laugh. "You're just nervous, love. It's natural."

"Did you not hear them? They accepted you!" Atlantis grinned. "You're one of us now."

Ren's heart swelled with joy. She'd lost her family in a terrible accident, but now... now she had a new family. One that accepted her for everything she was.

A voice cleared from the back of the room. "Not to ruin the moment," Destan said, his eyes darting around anxiously, "but do you think I could meet my mother now?"

Ren's eyes widened, and she tugged on Kai's arm. "Kai, you promised Destan you'd introduce him to his mother."

Kai's eyes softened. "You're right. I did promise." He turned to a servant nearby. "Summon Lady Diana to my quarters."

The servant bowed and disappeared in a rush of bubbles.

Moments later, a gentle knock echoed through the room.

Destan leaned against a patch of soft moss that clung to the wall. His heart pounded harder than it had during the battle. The knock echoed in his mind like the call of fate.

"Come in, Aunt Di," Kai's voice carried through the room.

The door drifted open slowly, and a woman entered. Her hair, white as seafoam, drifted behind her like a veil. Her movements were deliberate and graceful, each motion full of quiet power.

Destan's breath caught in his throat. His eyes traced her face, noting the familiar tilt of her cheekbones and the sharpness of her gaze. He saw himself in her features. It was undeniable.

"Mother," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. Slowly, he drifted toward her, his movements unsteady but purposeful.

Her eyes filled with tears as she raised her hands toward him, but she hesitated, fingers trembling just inches from his face. "Destan," she breathed, her voice thick with disbelief and awe. "My son. My beautiful son."

Their eyes met, and something maternal and unbreakable passed between them.

"I've missed you so much, Destan," she murmured, finally letting her fingers brush against his cheek. "I never wanted to abandon you. They stole you from my arms as a babe, and I—" Her voice broke, and she pressed her lips to his forehead.

Destan's arms encircled her in a fierce embrace. "I've missed you too, Mother. More than you'll ever know."