Theo and I fell asleep leaning against each other, the two of us curled up on the cold jeweled floor like abandoned trinkets in a palace made of treasure. The mermen guards never moved; they stood like statues, silent and alert. This place wasn't a home. It was a gilded prison.
And now, I had more problems than before.
Not only was I lost in a world I didn't understand—I also had Theo to worry about. He was my responsibility now. My friend.
How was I supposed to help him get back to Juno when I didn't even know how to leave Mariner's Bay?
Footsteps echoed through the palace, jolting my eyes open.
Rocco and Chance returned.
Rocco tossed a net made of woven seaweed in front of me—overflowing with pearls, shimmering like oversized tears. Then he crouched so close I could see the tiny sparkle in his thick eyelashes, his storm-gray eyes glowing like moonlight on waves.
"I got these for you," he said proudly. "Look. You'll love them."
"Thank you… but I don't have anywhere to put these, or anything to do with them," I said gently, pushing the net back toward him.
He blinked, stunned. Then he bowed his head, exhaling defeat.
"What do you want?" he muttered. "Why is it so hard for you to like treasures?"
"You don't have to give me anything," I said softly. "I never asked for gifts. If you don't need us here, please let us go. I'm alone in this world. I don't belong anywhere here."
As I spoke, I bit my lip—a nervous habit I'd had since forever. When I got shy or scared, I fiddled with my hair, twirled my fingers, or rubbed my legs together. It just happened naturally.
Rocco froze.
"Aaah… are you flirting with me?" he asked, ears turning bright red. "The way you bit your lip—it's… sultry."
My eyes widened. "I—I wasn't flirting! I do that unconsciously!"
Great.
First Gideon, now him.
Why do I attract rulers when I'm literally fighting for my life?
Rocco leaned in. "You said you're not from this world… Now I want you even more. A rare treasure. Tell me—what will make you stay with me?"
Theo immediately shot up. "Hey! You can't do that! Didn't I say she belongs to our King?!"
Rocco snorted. "Your King. Please. I don't see him here."
He stepped closer to me, eyes blazing.
"Unlucky for him, I'm excellent at stealing—including Queens."
He pulled me toward him.
Theo growled. Chance summoned a spear of shimmering water.
What is wrong with these rulers?
Why are they attracted to someone as ordinary as me?
Still… maybe I can use this to our advantage.
"If I tell you what I want," I asked carefully, "you'll really give it to me?"
"Of course." Rocco stepped closer. "There's nothing I can't get. Mariner's Bay is the richest kingdom in the world. What do you want?"
I smiled sweetly.
Hook, line, and sinker.
"Take us around your kingdom," I said brightly. "I want to see everything again—the outside, the view… maybe swim with the whales and turtles. I bet Theo would love that too!"
Rocco blinked.
"That's all you want?"
He chuckled, almost bewildered. "Fine. I'll take you around."
I turned to Theo. "Did you hear that? We get to see all of Mariner's Bay!"
"No," Rocco cut in sharply. "You come. Your friend stays."
Theo panicked instantly. "Where are you taking her?! Sienna, don't go with him!"
"Easy," I soothed. "I'll be back, Theo. I promise. I won't leave you."
Theo plopped dramatically onto the floor, pouting. "Fine! I'll wait."
Rocco led me through the glittering halls. Every surface shimmered like a jewelry store exploded. Gold dripped from the ceilings; crystals lined the walls; gems littered the floors like discarded coins.
It was beautiful…
But empty.
Hollow.
Once we stepped outside the palace, Rocco finally stopped walking.
"I believe you truly aren't from here," he said quietly. "You're too clueless about who you walk beside."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"That beast with you—your 'guardian.' Why do you think the Beast King entrusted you to him?"
"Because he's kind, cheerful, and easy to be around," I answered confidently.
Rocco gave a low, humorless laugh.
"Wrong. The King picked him because he's one of their best."
I blinked.
"What?!"
He continued, unfazed.
"That kid hides how powerful he is. I wouldn't be surprised if the beasts could track both of you all the way here. But I'm not scared."
My stomach dropped.
Theo… the exits he showed me…
Was it because he trusted me?
Or because he could overpower me if I tried to escape?
The thought chilled me, but still—Theo was my friend. That wouldn't change.
"So what?" I said stubbornly. "He's still my friend. If you're trying to badmouth Theo, it won't work on me."
"I'm not insulting him. I'm stating facts." Rocco rested his arms behind his head. "It's interesting how well he hides his strength."
We continued walking under the shimmering dome of the ocean. Sunlight rippled above us, casting waves of blue light along the streets.
Children ran about—far more children than adults. All of them thin, exhausted, and far from properly cared for. Nothing like the gentle women of Juno tending lovingly to their young.
My heart cracked.
"Where are their parents?" I asked carefully. "Are they abandoned? Orphans?"
Rocco shrugged.
"No. Their parents are out scavenging for treasure. Land, sea—wherever they can find it."
"Why?" I whispered, horrified. "Why would they leave them like this?"
"Because treasure sustains our kingdom," he said proudly, as though it was obvious.
My vision blurred with tears.
These children deserved warmth, care, education—not a kingdom obsessed with shiny junk.
I stopped walking.
"I know what I want," I said firmly.
Rocco paused. "What?"
I took a breath.
More than treasure.
More than gold.
More than power.
"I want to take care of the children," I said, voice trembling with conviction. "All of them. That's what I want more than any treasure you could ever offer."
Rocco stared at me—genuine confusion on his face, as if I had spoken a foreign language.
"You… want children?" he repeated.
"No," I corrected. "I want to care for them. Teach them. Feed them. Help them grow. That's what I want."
Rocco blinked, stunned into silence.
Would he really give me whatever I liked…
no matter the cost?