As we walked deeper into Mariner's Bay, I realized something immediately—they weren't just ocean-folk. They moved like pirates. Treasure-hungry. Sharp-eyed. Restless.
Jewels clinked against their skin with every step. Golden bands wrapped around their arms, necks, ankles—some wore more treasure than clothing. Children ran through the streets, play-fighting with wooden tridents or splashing puddles with tired laughter. Their faces smiled, but their eyes… their eyes were drained and dim.
The weight of it all pressed into my chest.
Their cheeriness was a mask.
They looked happy, but they weren't.
And everyone greeted their king not with reverence, but with casual acknowledgment—like thanking a rich neighbor who never runs out of resources.
Then we reached Rocco's palace.
My breath caught—not in awe, but in shock.
Gold.
Diamonds.
Crystals.
Rubies.
Sapphires.
Pearls.
Everywhere.
The place didn't look built—it looked encrusted. The walls glimmered as if sculpted from treasure hoarded for centuries. Towers shimmered like chandeliers. The floor reflected our faces like polished mirrors.
It was the most extravagant, excessive display I had ever seen.
And I despised it.
"Are you taking us there?" I asked, unable to hide the distaste in my voice.
Rocco smirked. "Yes. Do you have a problem with that? You should be happy. Not many get to step inside my palace. Only a chosen few." He spread his arms wide. "Because—would you look at how it shines?"
I stopped walking.
Absolutely not.
"Can we… maybe stay here instead?" I said quickly. "I—I don't think I deserve to be in your palace. A lowly creature like me…" I lied through my teeth, trying desperately to avoid stepping foot into that glittering headache.
Rocco frowned. "You don't like my palace? Most women would die to see so much opulence. They'd be fighting to pick a treasure."
"I just want to enjoy the view from outside," I said, trying not to offend. "It's beautiful here, really."
And it was—so unbelievably beautiful I forgot to breathe.
We stood in a clear underwater dome. Massive sea turtles drifted above us, casting shadows. Schools of iridescent fish swirled like living ribbons. A pod of whales glided by, their songs vibrating softly through the glass-like walls.
It felt like being inside a floating aquarium—but with the ocean stretched endlessly beyond.
"Please, can we stay here?" I said, my voice filled with childlike wonder. "Look! I've never seen so many whales up close!"
Rocco stared at me for a long moment, entranced by my excitement. A rare, soft smile tugged at his mouth.
"Your reaction to the simplest things," he said quietly, "versus my luxurious home… completely opposite."
He shook his head. "What could possibly be beautiful about this?"
"Are you kidding?" I whispered. "All of this is extraordinary."
Tears rose to my eyes—not from sadness, but overwhelming awe.
Chance ruined the moment.
"Hey, boss! Are we leaving them here or what?"
Rocco straightened. "We will take them in."
Ugh.
So much for small wins.
My chest tightened at the thought of Gideon. For a second, I swore I felt his presence tugging at me from somewhere far away. I missed him.
Inside the palace, Theo was set gently on the floor—but everything else was wrong.
Cold stone.
Empty halls.
Treasure piled everywhere like junk.
No warmth.
No heart.
Just greed, glittering and hollow.
Rocco lounged on a massive golden throne, treasure spilling around him like waves. I grew nauseous staring at all that vanity.
"Pick anything you want," Rocco said grandly. "Surely you're dying to get your hands on all this splendor."
Absolutely not.
If it weren't for Theo, I'd run straight back into the ocean.
Rocco watched my reaction—the disgust I tried so hard to hide.
He rose from his throne, grabbed a crystal-and-gold mirror, and approached me. He leaned close—too close—his cold gray eyes searching mine.
"Your dissatisfaction bothers me," he murmured. "Here. Indulge yourself with this."
Chance squeaked, "Nice one, King! The mermaids would kill for that!"
"No thank you," I said, pushing the mirror back gently. "I have no use for it."
Rocco's brows twitched. "What do you want then? Name it."
Before I could respond, Theo gasped awake.
I rushed to him. "Theo! You're okay. I'm here. I'm so sorry—you suffered because of me."
He shook his head weakly. "Not your fault. The King told me to protect you. I only did that."
Rocco's gaze sharpened. "A king? The Beast King? Are you a princess or something?"
Theo stood tall—too tall for someone who nearly died.
"No. She's our king's chosen mate. He planned to make her his Queen!"
My face burst into flames. "Theo! No—it's not like that—I didn't—"
Rocco laughed darkly. "Maybe your king will pay handsomely to buy you back."
He looked at me, voice dropping. "But by the time he gets here… maybe his mate will have changed her mind."
"She is marked already!" Theo boasted. "No one can undo that!"
Theo, please shut up.
Your mouth is going to get us killed.
Rocco tilted his head. "His mark means nothing here. What kingdom are you from again?"
"Juno!" Theo declared proudly. "The powerful Kingdom of Juno!"
Rocco scoffed. "Ah, the prideful, isolated beasts who think they're above everyone else. How's that working out for you?"
Juno was isolated…? Why?
The thought lingered.
"We're not isolated," Theo snapped. "We're protecting ourselves from enemies—corrupt beast souls!"
My eyes widened as I looked around.
Corruption. Greed. Vanity.
Theo wasn't wrong.
Chance summoned a water sphere, narrowing his eyes. "Watch your tongue, Beast. This is our territory."
Theo growled back.
This was bad.
I stepped between them.
"You know what? On second thought," I said quickly, "I'll keep the mirror. Theo thinks it looks… nice. Your King generously gave it to me."
Chance blinked. Rocco smirked.
"Come, Theo," I said sweetly. "What do we say to our gracious rescuers?"
He sighed. "But Sienna—"
"No buts." I pressed my hand to his back, forcing him to bow with me.
Chance lowered his spear.
Rocco watched, studying every movement.
"Interesting," he murmured.
He whistled sharply.
A group of mermen swam into the hall, forming a circle around us.
"Watch over them."
"Yes, boss!" they chimed in unison.
As Rocco turned and walked deeper into his glittering palace, Chance followed at his side. Their figures disappeared into the brilliance—leaving Theo and me surrounded, uncertain, and trapped in the kingdom of a man who valued treasure more than people.
Or so I thought.