"Kai," Ren said, her eyes widening with surprise. Without her mask, she knew Kai would know that "Lady Belle" was not a mermaid but a deceitful human.

"Ren," his deep voice echoed through the water, sending warm shivers down her spine. Her heart thumped fiercely inside her chest. She wanted to tell him everything, but no words could form.

Morgan protectively wrapped his scaly arms around her. "Don't punish her, Kai. If you feel the need, punish me instead."

The Emerald King tilted his head, a single black brow arched in question. However, his green orbs landed on the Diamond Prince, his pupils narrowing. "You," he spoke in a commanding tone.

Prince Destan seemed unfazed and looked at him with a bored expression. "Yes?"

"Come with me. It's time I spoke to you about a private matter," Kai said, motioning for Destan to follow him.

Destan followed the king through the coral, his heart beating wildly inside his chest. What did he mean about speaking privately? Why was he cold towards Ren, and why didn't he try to kill him? He was so engrossed in his thoughts he didn't see a fist flying toward his face. The impact sent him reeling back. He expected more, but none came from the fuming man.

"I suppose I deserved that," Destan muttered, rubbing his jaw.

"Yes, and so much more," Kai muttered under his breath. "But now that that's out of the way, I want to tell you something about your mother and the reason why your father hates my kingdom so much."

A sarcastic laugh passed Destan's lips. "My mother? Why should I care about her? She abandoned me, my father, and the kingdom. She has no right to stake claim over me."

Kai's shoulders tensed. "She didn't abandon you. She was banished."

Destan's heart stopped. Banished? Nothing made sense.

"How?" he spoke breathlessly. "She ran off with the sea gypsies."

The king shook his head. "That was a lie crafted by your father."

Anger rolled off Destan's shoulders in waves. "How do you know? You've never met her!"

"I did. She took refuge in my kingdom."

Destan was speechless. "How? Why? I—"

"She fell in love with a human before she married your father," Kai murmured. "Your father knew of the relationship she had with the human, but he married her mostly for the wealth her father had. After you were born, he fabricated a lie claiming she ran off with the gypsies, but he had banished her, keeping you with him."

"I don't understand," Destan said softly. "How did you know her?"

"Your mother was my mother's sister. She helped my father raise me and my brother," the king said in a tender tone. "I know not everything. It's best you speak to your mother about it."

Hope flared inside Destan's chest. "My mother is still alive? She is with you?"

Kai nodded as he began to swim away. "Help us win this war you started and perhaps then your mother may want to see you."

Destan inhaled sharply. For years he hadn't seen his mother and now she is nearly within his grasp.

***********

Ren twiddled her fingers nervously. "Do you think Kai is angry at me? He didn't even seem happy to see me."

Morgan wrapped his arms around her, his massive and ancient form more imposing in the dim glow of the water. His long, scaled limbs shimmered faintly with an iridescent sheen, and his voice, deep and resonant, seemed to carry an age-old authority.

Before Ren could speak again, a familiar voice distracted them.

"Morgan! Ren!" Atlantis said, his voice bright and joyous as his crimson fins swirled through the water. A wide grin was etched on his painted face.

"Atlantis!" Ren said happily, throwing herself into her friend's arms. Atlantis embraced her warmly before turning to Morgan. For a moment, the two stared at each other, an electric current of emotion rippling through the water.

"You ancient beast," Atlantis teased, his voice softening. "I missed you."

Morgan's normally stoic expression melted as he reached for Atlantis, pulling him close. "And I missed you," he rumbled, his deep voice vibrating with affection. "It's been days, but it felt like ages."

Atlantis's crimson fins shimmered as he buried his face in Morgan's shoulder. "I hated leaving you, but Kai needed me."

"And you returned," Morgan said, his massive arms tightening around him. "That's all that matters."

Ren watched the scene, her heart swelling at the tenderness between them. Atlantis pulled back slightly, his golden eyes glowing with emotion as he cupped Morgan's face. "I love you, you know."

Morgan's chuckle rumbled through the water. "And I you."

The two shared a kiss that spoke of trust and understanding, their connection tangible to anyone near. Ren turned away, giving them a moment of privacy. A pang of longing hit her as she thought of Kai. Would he ever look at her that way?

Before her thoughts could spiral further, a deep voice murmured behind her. "Ren."

She turned, a hand caressing her cheek. Her grey eyes landed on green orbs, dark hair framing his toned form.

"Kai," she whispered, her eyes wide as her heart carved a tattoo on her chest. "I can explain."

She expected his eyes to be filled with hate. However, they were filled with something she couldn't decipher. "You don't have to," Kai murmured. "Atlantis told me everything."

Ren covered her face with her hands. "I just wanted to be someone you could love. Morgan said he could, and I took up his offer to be a mermaid." She looked at him, trying to read the emotion that had settled over his handsome features.

A soft chuckle rose from his lips. "Oh, Ren, you don't have to be a mermaid to make me love you. I love you for who you are inside," Kai said, a single finger tapping over her thundering heart. "I love you, Ren, human or mermaid."

He loves me, she thought, happiness spreading through her veins.

"I love you," Ren whispered with a confident tone before her lips were sealed by Kai's.

Her lips were soft underneath his, her slender frame pressed up against his warrior form. Kai was sure of his feelings for her.

Love.

Something he never knew he wanted for so long in a relationship. He wanted her.

No, he needed her. He needed her by his side, ruling the kingdom with him.

Regretfully, he pulled his lips away from her, resting his forehead against hers. "Marry me," he murmured softly.

He saw her eyes widen in surprise. "I—"

"Kai!" Atlantis said, his usually calm voice filled with alarm.

For a moment, Kai felt annoyed by his younger brother. "What is it, Atlantis?" Atlantis motioned for him to come close to the coral wall. Kai's green orbs landed on a horde of mers. Men and women were clad in armor, their spears raised and swords strapped to their waists.

"It's the Diamond Army. They're here," Atlantis said, gripping his spear tightly.

"How? I thought Prince Destan took care of that."

Atlantis shook his head. "Something must've happened."

Fear encased Kai's heart—not for himself, but for the woman who held his heart. His green eyes shifted toward Morgan. "Take her to the cave."

The witch nodded and pulled the arm of the suddenly pale mermaid.

"Kai, what's happening?" Ren said shakily.

Kai shook his head and plastered a smile. "Nothing, just go to Morgan's cave. I'll be there soon."