"'Hello, Faye. We meet again.'" My eyes flew open as Zander's harsh voice floated through my mind. Even as my exhausted brain recognized my surroundings—the furnishings of our bedroom, the face of the merman sleeping soundly beside me with an arm wrapped around my abdomen—that didn't stop the rush of panic that flowed through me. It had been more than two years since that day, yet the memories and the nightmares hadn't eased; if anything, they'd worsened.

A glance out the open window indicated that it had only been a few hours since I'd finally fallen asleep. Between Wyatt and Zander—and given that we hadn't heard a whisper of the former in two years—it was a miracle that I could sleep at all these days. Neither had we heard from the latter, though instead of filling me with relief, the prospect filled me with dread.

Silently slipping out from underneath Jonah's arm, I swam into the bathing room and shut the door soundlessly behind me. There was enough light from the full moon to see, or rather cringe at, my expression. I looked like I hadn't slept a whole night in months. My eyes—ringed in dark circles and bloodshot—had a permanent haunted look in them that I knew would never entirely go away.

Despite my genuine smiles and laughter, anyone who knew what to look for could spot the subtle cracks in my expression and demeanor. The hypervigilance, startle reflex, and how I'd subconsciously grip Jonah's arm tightly were all due to memories that ambushed me out of nowhere.

Zander Marshal's face would resurface in my head, along with the words he'd spoken in those fateful moments after I'd brought him back to life. "'Hello, Faye. We meet again.'" As would the intense feeling of vertigo that had gripped me in the wake of his words, along with the realization I'd just made a terrible mistake.

The nightmares would result in one of two outcomes: jolting awake and rushing into the bathing room or startling awake to the rush of panic that flowed through my body. The latter had awakened me a few moments ago, but it hadn't been enough to wake Jonah. He still slept deeply in our bed, the sound of his steady and even breathing filling the silence. I let out a silent breath of relief, thankful that he remained asleep.

Thankfully, the nightmares weren't usually enough to wake him. He, unlike me, was a heavy and deep sleeper, a trait I wished I possessed. I took several slow, even breaths, calming my heartbeat and letting the panic gradually fade from my body. Zander hadn't been seen or heard from since that fateful encounter two years ago; there was no reason to assume he would pop up again out of nowhere.

As I looked at my wan expression in the bathing room mirror, I repeated that to myself several times. Zander hadn't been seen or heard from in two years; there was no reason to assume he would pop up again out of nowhere. Again and again, until I half-heartedly believed it. I leaned over the sink, splashing cold water on my face with trembling hands.

It wasn't just me who still struggled with memories of the past—Waverly did as well, though she was much better at masking her emotions than I was. Only those who knew what to look for would notice how she'd suddenly go pale if someone mentioned Zander or how she would suddenly break off during a conversation, her eyes going distant as a memory seized her. Laguna struggled as much—if not more so—than Waverly and I, but if Waverly was better than me at masking her emotions, Laguna was a pro.

Again, only those who knew what to look for would notice her hand curl into a fist or the slight tremor that shuddered through her body whenever someone mentioned Zander. At least Waverly had her mother to talk to, given that our relationship was civil at best. Every time we crossed paths, her blank expression had my unspoken apology bubbling up inside me. I exhaled heavily as I silently swam back into the bedroom.

When Jonah's eyes met mine, their concern and worry nearly broke me. He wordlessly rose from the bed and wrapped his arms around me as I closed my eyes, breathing him in. His voice was barely a whisper as he spoke, the words no more than a push of breath. "You dreamt of him again, didn't you." It wasn't a question. Neither was it the first time he'd awakened during the aftermath of one of these nightmares. Most nights, we didn't talk.

Or, more precisely, I didn't. Most nights—tonight being one such night—it was all I could do to remember to breathe, never mind dredge up speech. The heaviness inside me, coupled with the exhaustion from the nightmares, almost always left me incapable of talking. Because I knew if I opened my mouth, it wouldn't be words that came out. It would be loud, heaving sobs.

I nodded, pressing my cheek against his chest. Neither of us spoke for several moments after that. When I finally felt as though I could swim to the bed without faltering, I took a deep breath before lifting my head from his chest. I kept my eyes trained on the bed but felt his eyes on mine the entire time. It wasn't just the memories that haunted my sleeping and waking thoughts; equally as haunting was the revelation I had moments before going to search for Zander's body.

One I had yet to share with anyone—even Jonah. When I'd touched the pendant that day after so long, I'd felt a spark of something—energy or life. Which had led me to the world-altering revelation that still, even two years later, drew me from a conversation or a meal. The pendant itself was indestructible.

Remembering the ordeals my family had gone through with the pendant decades ago had almost been enough to make me rush to Beltmare and Aegrem. Even now, I occasionally had to fight the urge to make wake for my aunts' and uncles' respective kingdoms and break the news.

The pendant was now safely locked in a vault deep in the palace's dungeons. Mom and Dad had both agreed—after talking it over with me—that the best thing right now would be to put it in a place where no one would even think to look for it. "Hey," Jonah said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I blinked, focusing on his face.

"When and if you're ready to talk, I'm here. I love you." The kiss he placed on my forehead after the last word had left his mouth had me melting against him. Realizing that sleep was impossible, I rubbed my eyes before rising from the bed and swimming into the bathing room again. This time, I didn't even have the energy to look at my reflection. I merely washed my face and put on some waterproof concealer to hide the exhaustion from my features.

It was barely dawn, but I knew neither of us could go back to sleep. When I swam back into the bedroom, Jonah was already halfway to the closet. After he'd gotten dressed, we silently slipped out of the suite, moving through the ghostly halls of the palace. I breathed a sigh of relief that we were the only ones awake. He gripped my hand as we swam, weighted silence between us.

It wasn't until we'd reached the entryway and had emerged out in the open water that I spoke. "What if he comes back?" I hadn't mentioned a name, but we knew who I meant.

He paused, taking a deep breath. When his eyes met mine, their resolve made my breath catch. "We'll deal with it—you, me, Drew, your parents. You never have to face this alone. Ever."

He suddenly glanced up at the surface, a grin on his face. "What is it?" My voice was soft. I had to know what caused this unexpected positive change in his mood.

Jonah merely grabbed my hand, his excitement almost tangible. We swam for a long time before arriving at the Bronze Mermaid. At first, I didn't understand what was happening—until I saw the large banner stretched across the entrance. Happy Homecoming Day! That's when I noticed all the faces grinning at me.

Our entire family floated outside the restaurant, and I could feel the excitement in the water. When Drew appeared beside me, an identical look of confusion on his face, Mom and Dad swam up to us, love and pride shining in both their gazes. Mom was already crying, so Dad spoke instead, his voice filled with happiness.

"Drew, Faye, when the two of you first came into our lives, you were reeling from a tragedy and grieving an unimaginable loss. We opened our hearts and our home to you in hopes that you could slowly start to heal again. The day we adopted you was the happiest day of our lives. We know that we are in no way a replacement for Carla and Jacob, but their spirits live on in both of you. We love you both so much."

When Dad's voice broke, my own eyes filled with tears. That was my breaking point. I covered my mouth in time to stifle the sobs that threatened to escape. All the emotions from earlier—panic, exhaustion, worry, fear—left my body in multiple waves of loud, heaving sobs.

Looking around at our family—those who would rather die than see me or my brother harmed—caused twin waves of fear and love to crash over me. Aunt Nerissa swam up to me, tears in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight. I knew, one way or another, that it would eventually come down to me or Zander. And as much as it terrified me, I didn't know if I would be strong enough to beat him.

I would fight until my dying breath for those I loved. I just hoped it wouldn't cost me everything I loved and held dear.

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