Ace nibbled on the last piece of her plate which tasted similar to beef.

"Ace!" a loud voice called from the water.

"Morgan!" she cried with a grin as she stood up and ran toward the shoreline. The strange merman was waist-deep in the water, his dark hair slicked back, and his sharp-toothed grin as mischievous as ever.

"I have a gift for you," Morgan said, his grin widening.

"A gift?" she asked, raising a skeptical brow.

He lifted a small glass bottle, its glowing liquid swirling like liquid starlight. "Drink."

Ace's brows furrowed with concern. "Why?"

"Do you trust me, Aceso?" Morgan's voice softened, his cat-like eyes searching hers.

She hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. Her fingers clasped around the bottle's cool surface. She pulled the top off and tipped the bottle back, swallowing the glowing liquid in one go. It was cool and refreshing, like mint water on a hot day.

But then, it hit.

A tingling sensation spread through her legs, like thousands of tiny needles waking up nerves that had been dormant for too long. Her eyes widened in panic as she clutched at Morgan's arm. "What's going on?" she croaked, feeling her insides twist and churn.

"It'll be over soon," Morgan assured, his strong arm wrapping around her shoulders to support her weight as she leaned heavily on him.

"You're telling me you want me to turn Ace into a mermaid?" Morgan's brow arched as he carefully arranged sea flowers in a single vase, his fingers precise and delicate.

Destan's eyes darted around the room, his nerves clear in the tense way he shifted his weight. "Yes... I'd like her to attend Ren and Kai's wedding as my companion."

Morgan's grin was slow and dangerous. He picked up a bright red sea blossom, twirling it between his fingers. "I'll do it, but there's a price."

Destan's eyes narrowed. "A price?"

"Yes." Morgan's grin turned wicked. "You're going to help us keep Ren away from the Grand Room."

Destan's lips thinned, suspicion growing in his gaze, but he nodded. "Fine." The mer-king swap away, feeling a slight tinge of humiliation of being reduced to a errand boy.

"Ren!" Destan's voice echoed as he swam quickly toward the mermaid, who was weaving through the palace's vast gardens.

She turned, her silver eyes bright as she smiled. "Destan! What have you been up to?"

He let out a light chuckle, his eyes scanning the sea blossoms she'd been admiring. "Just visiting Ace. I think we've reached some kind of friendship."

Her lips curled into a grin. "Good. I'm glad."

Destan's gaze lingered on her for a moment as she reached for a pink sea flower, gently caressing its petals. Garden faeries slipped out from the blooms, their soft giggles ringing through the air as they danced around her dark hair, weaving strands into tiny braids.

She'll make a great queen, he thought, his heart warming at the sight of her.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" a deep voice rumbled behind him, making Destan's heart leap in surprise.

He turned to find Kai watching Ren with a look of quiet reverence.

"I have no say, cousin," Destan murmured, his voice quieter. "When I think of beauty, all I see is the human woman on your island."

Kai's grin grew sly, though his eyes never left Ren. "If Morgan can turn her into a mermaid for a few days, perhaps you could take the chance to prove yourself to her."

Destan's gaze sharpened as he thought it over. "And what do you suggest I do?"

Kai's gaze flicked toward the palace's sprawling gardens. "Show her the palace. Show her what it's like to live here."

Destan's eyes settled on a garden faery fluttering nearby. An idea sparked. "I have an idea, but it'll have to wait until after the wedding."

Kai's grin widened. "Then it's settled."

****************************

"Where is she?

" Kai's pacing sent ripples through the water as he moved back and forth. The entire kingdom had already taken their places in the Grand Room, their anticipation palpable.

Atlantis sat back in a chair, his arms crossed, amusement flickering in his eyes as he watched his brother's anxiety rise like a storm. "She'll be here, brother. I doubt one night would change her mind about marrying you."

Kai's fingers brushed through his dark hair, his emerald-studded crown glinting with every motion. His ceremonial markings shimmered on his skin, giving him a divine appearance, but his eyes betrayed him.

"Your Royal Majesty," a servant's voice came from the doorway.

Kai's eyes darted up, his voice laced with tension. "Yes?"

"It's time."

Atlantis's grin widened as he stood, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. "See? She's coming. Relax."

Kai's face was unreadable, but he exhaled slowly before making his way to the Grand Room.

***********************

Ace's jaw dropped as she took in the sight before her. Everything—every single detail—was far beyond her imagination.

The palace glowed like the heart of a bioluminescent reef. The vibrant greens and blues of the emerald stone shimmered, casting rainbows against the pearlescent walls. It reminded her of the night skyline of New York City, but this... this was nature's masterpiece.

"It's not polite to leave your mouth open," Morgan teased, his grin wide and full of mischief.

Heat rushed to her cheeks. "Sorry. It's just... this is insane. It's beautiful."

Morgan's laughter echoed, light and carefree. "Don't worry. You'll have plenty of time to gawk after the wedding."

"Who's getting married?" she asked, her eyes still marveling at the glowing corals and drifting lights.

"Ren and Kai," Morgan answered. He glanced down at himself, adjusting the gold bands on his biceps and the golden necklace that resembled something pulled from ancient Egyptian royalty.

Ace's gaze shifted to herself, her cheeks heating once more. She'd been dressed in something that made her feel exposed. Her torso was adorned with a shell-covered top connected by coral bands that stretched over her shoulders. Her lower half shimmered with a light blue fish tail that caught the light in every hue imaginable.

"Is a wedding a big deal among mers?" she asked, gnawing on her thumbnail.

Morgan's eyes widened, his face incredulous. "A big deal? It's the most sacred event in our kingdom—especially for a king. The ceremony gives the kingdom one night of fertility." He grinned, his eyes dancing with mischief.

"One night of fertility?" Ace's brows lifted.

Morgan's grin grew wider. "You'll see."

He pushed open the grand doors, leading her into a chamber where Ren stood, regal and radiant. Her hair was adorned with emeralds, her silver eyes lined with kohl, and her gown flowed like angel's wings. The green scales that surrounded her face lined with gold, adding to the ethereal glow that seemed to emanate from her skin.

"Are you ready?" Morgan asked Ren.

Ren's gaze met his, then shifted to Ace. Her smile was soft, full of resolve. "I am ready."