I woke up buzzing with excitement, practically vibrating with the urge to run and tell the kids that their King had granted our wish. For once, things felt like they were looking up. But before I could reach the door, I noticed Theo scratching like he was trying to shed an entire winter coat.
His fingers raked down his arms and neck; tufts of silver-brown fur drifted through the air with every movement.
"Theo… are you okay?" I asked, stepping closer. "You're shedding faster than a golden retriever in summer."
"Oh, I'm fine! Just bored." He scratched harder, flaking even more. "Hey—can you get this spot on my back? I can't reach it."
I scratched gently between his shoulder blades. "Here? Or… here?"
He sighed like he'd just been released from years of suffering. "Yes! Right there!"
I laughed softly. "I'm sorry I can't bring you along, Theo. I know it's boring here. Just… trust me, I'm working on getting us out."
"It's okay," he said brightly. Then he reached forward and scratched my back.
I jolted upright. "Theo!"
"You looked like you needed it," he said with a grin.
I shook my head, smiling despite myself, and waved him goodbye. Then I practically sprinted to meet the kids, my excitement bubbling so intensely my chest felt warm.
When the last child gathered, I took a deep breath, stood tall, and announced proudly:
"Kids! Our wish has been granted! The King will bring your parents home—at least for a little while!"
For a moment, time froze.
Then the world exploded in cheers, tiny bodies bouncing everywhere, joyful shrieks echoing like bells. Children hugged each other, some falling dramatically to the floor in excitement. Others grabbed my hands and kissed them, thanking me with teary smiles.
My heart felt too full. Too warm.
I didn't realize I was smiling so hard until a familiar deep voice sliced through the air.
"Well… it's true that I granted her wish."
My stomach dropped.
I turned slowly to see Rocco standing behind me, his silhouette blocking the glowing blue light of the underwater dome. He stepped forward lazily, like a man entirely in control, and placed his large hands on my shoulders.
His touch radiated cold and warmth at the same time—like icy water covering a flame. A shiver ran down my spine as his thumbs pressed slowly into my muscles, almost massaging.
"I granted her wish," he repeated, rubbing my shoulders in a possessive, almost teasing way, "but not theirs yet."
He leaned to me and then told the kids.
"To fulfill your wish, I hear the west side of the city has plenty of pearls. Why don't you all gather those for me?"
The kids froze. Their joy shattered like glass.
My heart burned. I shoved his hands off and spun around to face him, tears already blurring my vision.
"This isn't what we talked about last night," I said sharply.
Rocco's lips curled into a wicked, smug smile. He leaned in so close I could feel his breath glide across my cheek.
"Really? Because I remember agreeing to your wish," he murmured. "Maybe if you hadn't left me hanging and stayed with me a bit longer… you could've fulfilled their part of the deal too."
I could've slapped him.
Instead, I turned away, wiped my eyes, and raised my chin.
"Fine! We'll get your ugly pearls. Come on, kids!"
And for good measure, I stuck my tongue out at him before storming off.
He laughed. Not mocking—genuinely amused. Which somehow made me angrier.
⸻
The west side of Mariner's Bay shimmered like a sea of diamonds, the ground glittering with scattered pearls in all colors—blush, midnight, lavender, moon-white. The children scrambled around, scooping handfuls into baskets. Even in their excitement, I kept scanning for trouble.
"Sienna!" Pietri said, tugging at my arm. "Some kids won't listen. Can you tell them to stay close? The undertow is strong today."
"Let's do it," I said, squeezing his shoulder.
We warned them again, and they nodded. For a while, things seemed okay.
Until Frankie, a turtle looking mer-child, wandered too close to the water wall—mesmerized by the glowing jellyfish passing behind it like floating lanterns.
One misstep. One slip.
Pietri's scream tore through the air.
"MISS SIENNA! FRANKIE GOT TAKEN BY THE UNDERTOW!"
My heart plummeted.
Kids scattered in panic. Frankie's tiny hand disappeared into the swirling blue current.
There was no thinking involved—just instinct. I ran and dove straight into the wall of water.
It wasn't like normal water. It felt alive—cold, dense, powerful, wrapping around my limbs like tentacles. The undertow pulled like a whirlpool, dragging me deeper and deeper. My lungs screamed as I spotted Frankie spinning away, eyes wide with terror.
I forced my way to him, kicking hard, muscles burning. When I finally reached him, I grabbed him tight against my chest.
The current jerked again, ripping us downward. My lungs were about to burst—
Then a massive surge of water slammed upward, carrying us toward the surface.
Someone grabbed us—someone strong. The world blurred as we were pulled out into air.
I collapsed on the dry ground, coughing violently, clutching Frankie as he wailed. I rocked him, rubbing his back.
"You're okay… shhh… you're safe. I've got you," I whispered.
He didn't calm until I began singing softly:
"You are my sunshine… my only sunshine…"
His cries softened. The kids joined in, their voices echoing like bells through the dome. Tears streamed down my face—not from fear this time… but relief.
Then I felt someone watching.
Rocco.
But not the arrogant king. Not the smug ruler.
He looked… shaken. Pale. Vulnerable. His chest rose and fell rapidly. His jaw clenched, like he was holding back a storm.
He walked up to me slowly, eyes locked on mine. Then he grabbed me by the arms and pulled me into a crushing embrace.
"You fool," he whispered hoarsely, face buried in my hair. "Why did you go out there? We could've lost you. You could have died." His voice trembled. "What were you thinking?"
I felt his heart pounding wildly against me.
He was genuinely scared.
I pushed him away, tears streaming again—but this time from anger.
"This is your fault!" I shouted. "If you weren't so obsessed with treasure, none of this would've happened! These kids deserve better! They believed in you! They look up to you!"
His expression shattered—hurt flashing across his face before he masked it again.
I turned and walked away, limping, wobbling, trying not to collapse as the weight of everything crashed onto me.
I ruined everything.
Again.
Always.
First Theo.
Then Gideon.
Now the kids of Mariner's Bay.
Why can't I do one thing right? Why do my mistakes always cost someone else?
My sobs echoed across the kingdom until everything blurred through my tears.