Blood coated my hands and clothes as I floated in a clearing near Rosewood Manor. Bodies surrounded me, some stacked on top of one another, some side by side. Mermaids and mermen alike, they ranged in age from Ella to Jay. I bit back a cry, shaking my head. This wasn't me. It couldn't be me.

When the hand came down on my shoulder, I was frantically reaching for a dagger that wasn't there. I whirled around, my mouth opening in horror as emerald-green eyes met mine, her own mouth stretched in a smirk.

What's the matter, Nerissa? Afraid to let your people see the real you? She gestured to the bodies. You did this.

My breath caught in my throat as I touched my neck, expecting to feel the cool stone of the Loyalty Pendant, or worse, the Lost Soul Pendant. Not surprisingly, however, it was bare.

I frantically shook my head, looking from the bodies to Naia. No. I'm not... My hands fell to my sides as the truth washed over me. Was that who I really was, underneath it all? A murderer? After all, Tiger Shark was my father.

I threw myself awake, shaking. Jay slept soundly beside me, a testament to the hard work we'd both subjected ourselves to over the past few weeks. Gods knew I should be sleeping as well, but it was clear sleep wouldn't come.

I quietly got dressed and swam outside, the current calm and still. Something was off, though. It felt as if I had multiple people staring at me, but when I turned around, I was alone. I shook it off and continued swimming.

I had no interruptions until I reached Nepptheas's entrance. No sooner had I approached the gates did I feel the shift in the current. Tugging my cloak over my curls, I swam into the square, keeping my head down. To my horror, I saw a familiar black-and-white spotted tail approaching me. I froze, keeping my face hidden and body still as Naia swam past me.

She paused in front of me, waiting a heartbeat, then two, before swimming away. I let out a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding, then continued swimming. I had only swam a few feet before I was jerked backwards, a cry escaping my lips. I fumbled for the dagger on my hip, but was too slow. A hand closed around the hilt, jerking it away.

She released me and I spun around, breathing heavily. A cruel smile was on her face as she stared at me, her eyes alight with malice. What do you want, Naia?

The grin never faltered, even as her hands started moving. I just wanted you to be the first to hear the news.

I shook my head, confused. What news? As my hands signed the last word, her own came into view. More specifically, the ring on her left hand. My eyes widened, mouth opening and closing as I struggled to formulate a response.

Aren't you happy for me, Nerissa? I could do nothing but stare, shaking my head.

I couldn't believe this was happening. You... you married Brandon? When?

The cruel smile was gone, her face alight with joy; mine, however, was frozen in a look of pure shock. A few days ago. We eloped. If you and Jay had been sent an invite, would you have come?

I didn't bother responding. We both knew the answer. What surprised me, however, was how much it stung. The happiness on her face turned my stomach. How could you stomach being near him after everything he's done? The unspoken words burned my tongue: After everything you both have done?

The words didn't even faze her. We love each other. You should be happy for us. Noah certainly was.

The name sent pure fury rippling through me. You've spoken to Noah? Where is he?

She had an expression of mock surprise on her face as she considered her answer. You really think he wants you to know?

My hands were raised before I had even opened my mouth. Fine. Don't expect any wedding gifts from us.

The water between us was thick with tension. I floated motionless for a few minutes after she'd left, my head spinning. I couldn't believe she'd actually gone through with it. I swam home in a daze, dodging mermaids and mermen in the current.

Tears were streaming down my face before I even realised I was crying. The enormity of what I'd been told was just hitting me. Before I even put my hand on the knob, the door had swung open. I fell into Jay's arms, unable to hold myself up.

I didn't even have enough strength to lift my head. He just held me, stroking my curls. When my tears finally subsided, leaving me lightheaded, I met his gaze.

His dark green eyes were filled with concern. What happened? He signed.

I shook my head. Noah. It was all I could manage.

His expression changed from concerned to angry in the span of a heartbeat. He was moving before I had the chance to open my mouth.

David and Bella swam in just as he was leaving. They had confused expressions on their faces as they looked from Jay to me. Naia... She and Brandon got married.

The former's expression was nothing short of furious. His hands clenched into fists as his chest heaved. The latter just stared, her grey eyes wide.

Another wave of tears washed over me as the nightmare resurfaced in my head. Unbidden, Noah's words came back to me: Who would ever want a broken queen?

My hands shook. I can't do this. Every time I think I have it under control, something comes along to mess it up. Who was I kidding? Noah was right. I am broken.

Faster than I could blink, David was in front of me, his grey eyes filled with such determination it took my breath away. Don't ever say that again. You are not broken. You are one of the strongest, most resilient people I've ever met.

Underneath that determination, however, I sensed a quiet anger that was slowly resurfacing. I couldn't stop the shiver that ran down my spine. When I looked out the window, I was surprised to find the water had darkened. I hadn't realised how much time had passed.

I'll see you later. I'm going to bed. My hands shook as I signed, a harbinger of the exhaustion slowly creeping into my bones.

David gently kissed the top of my head, squeezing my hand once before letting go. Bella swam with me to our room. David's right, you know. Her hands were steady as she signed, her gaze fierce. You are one of the strongest people we've ever met. You just need to believe in yourself.

Then she was gone, gently closing the door behind her. I mulled over her words as I stared at the ceiling, my mind racing. Finally, I gave myself over to the exhaustion that had been tugging at me since I'd gotten the news.

Read and review!