"Call me Kai," his voice murmured, smooth and low as the tide.

A shiver coursed through Ren's being, her breath catching in her throat as her mind scrambled to process what he had just said.

The King—the King!—winked beneath his golden mask, a mischievous glint in his eyes, before he turned and swam back toward the palace. His royal cape flowed behind him like a ribbon of liquid gold, his movements commanding and effortless.

Ren stood frozen, her hand clutching her chest as if to still her racing heart.

"Morgan?" she croaked, her voice trembling as she turned toward the elegant merman who had been her guide all evening.

Morgan glanced at her, concern flickering across his sharp features. "What is it, Ren?"

"Kai is the King?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with disbelief. Her fingers tightened around his tattooed arm with such force that Morgan winced.

"Aye," Morgan replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "Did you not know?"

Her grip slackened, and she released his arm, mumbling an apology. "Sorry."

The realization struck her like a tidal wave. All night, she had been dancing with him, laughing with him, utterly charmed by him—and she hadn't known. Her mind whirled, trying to reconcile the Kai she'd spoken to with the ruler of an entire kingdom.

Morgan's pale eyes softened, a flicker of sympathy visible in his gaze. "Ren, are you all right?"

"I... I just need a moment," she stammered, her voice barely audible. She glanced away, unable to meet his gaze. Her pearly white tail flicked idly behind her as if reflecting her unease.

Morgan gave her a small, understanding nod. "Take all the time you need. I'll be inside with Atlantis. When you're ready to leave, just call for me."

Ren murmured a faint "thank you" before turning and drifting toward the glowing coral gardens.

The vibrant garden was alive with soft bioluminescent hues, casting rippling shadows across the sandy seafloor. Schools of fish darted in and out of the coral, their scales glinting like precious gems in the faint light. Ren swam deeper into the tranquil beauty, hoping it would quiet her storm of thoughts.

She gazed down at her glittering white tail, the rainbow reflections playing across its shimmering surface. The tail felt strangely natural now, almost as if it had always been a part of her. But her thoughts kept circling back to Kai—the King.

She sighed deeply, bubbles escaping her lips as the weight of her emotions threatened to pull her under. It wasn't just shock; it was something more. She replayed their time together, his warmth, his easy laughter, the way his gaze never left hers.

But doubt crept in like a cold current. He didn't like the human Ren, she thought bitterly. He liked this illusion. This mask. This form.

The thought unsettled her, more than she wanted to admit. She drifted further into the garden, losing herself among the towering coral spires. Their soft glow comforted her, but a prickling sensation on the back of her neck pulled her attention back to her surroundings.

The water around her felt colder, heavier. Even the fish seemed to sense it, darting away into the shelter of the coral. Ren glanced over her shoulder, her chest tightening.

"Hello?" she called softly, her voice trembling as it echoed in the stillness.

No answer.

She turned back to the path ahead, but before she could take another stroke, something soft clamped over her nose and mouth.

Ren gasped, a muffled scream escaping her lips as bubbles erupted around her. She clawed at the hand covering her face, but her attacker's grip was unyielding. Another arm snaked around her waist, pulling her backward against a warm, solid body.

A bittersweet scent filled her nostrils, making her head spin. Her struggles grew weaker as her vision blurred, swirling with colors that melted into one another like spilled paint.

Her last conscious thought was a desperate plea as the darkness consumed her.

Morgan paced along the edge of the coral garden, his long tail flicking with agitation. "Ren?" he called out, his voice echoing through the still water. "Ren, where are you?"

Atlantis swam beside him, his crimson hair glowing faintly in the soft light. "Calm yourself, Morgan," he said, his voice steady but tinged with concern. "She couldn't have gone far."

Morgan frowned, his pale eyes scanning the garden with increasing desperation. "She said she wanted to leave soon. The poor girl was pale as a sea sprite after learning about Kai."

Atlantis nodded thoughtfully, his sharp amber eyes searching the coral. "I don't understand. I thought she would be happy to know he was the King. Most mermaids would be."

"Ren isn't a mermaid," Morgan snapped, his voice sharper than he intended. "She's human, Atlantis. The idea of becoming queen might not hold the same appeal for her as it would for one of us."

Atlantis tilted his head, considering this. "Even so," he said slowly, "how could she stay here forever? A queen must be of our kind. She cannot live underwater as a human."

Morgan hesitated, his gaze flickering with unease. "There's an old legend," he murmured. "A way to turn a human into a mer. I hoped it was true."

Atlantis didn't respond, his gaze catching on something glinting in the sand below. He swam closer and plucked the object from the seafloor, turning it over in his hand.

"Morgan," he said quietly, holding it up. "Isn't this what Ren was wearing?"

Morgan's pale eyes widened as he took the object—a black pearl—from his brother's hand. "Her belt," he whispered, his voice shaking. He turned the pearl over, noticing the faint scratches from where it had been threaded onto a string.

Atlantis frowned. "Could she have left us? Or..."

Morgan shook his head violently. "Ren wouldn't just leave. Something's wrong. Someone took her."

Atlantis's gaze darkened, his amber eyes narrowing. "If that's true, we must act quickly."

_____________________________________________________________________

The morning sunlight filtered through the water, casting golden beams into Kai's private chambers. He hummed softly to himself as he trimmed his beard, the polished obsidian mirror reflecting his contented smile.

He had spent the night replaying every moment with Lady Belle, every laugh, every look, every word. Today, he would find her again, unmask her, and offer her his heart.

His fingers twitched in anticipation as he pictured her radiant smile and those luminous silver eyes. She wasn't just beautiful; she was intelligent, curious, full of life.

"Kai!"

The urgent voice shattered his thoughts. He turned, his brow furrowing as Atlantis swam into the room, his expression grim.

"Atlantis," Kai said, setting down the trimmer. "What is it? Has Lady Belle arrived yet?"

Atlantis hesitated, his crimson hair shifting like flames in the water. "Kai... Lady Belle is missing."

Kai's heart stopped. "Missing?"

"She disappeared last night. We found her pearls scattered in the coral garden," Atlantis said grimly.

Kai's hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening. The image of Belle's soft laughter and shy smile filled his mind, now replaced with a gnawing fear. "Who would dare take her?"

"We don't know," Atlantis admitted. "But if someone has, they will pay for it."

Kai straightened, his golden eyes burning with resolve. "Gather the guards. Whoever has taken her will face the full wrath of the sea."