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I can’t breathe. I can’t stop my tears. I can’t allow my mind to think about anything until I finally see my father take a deep breath, filling his lungs while wearing a look of pure relief.

Then his eyes open and he smiles up at me. “Hello, Princess.”

Bastien releases me and I rush into the pool—drenched again—to hug my dad, who’s standing now, his arms wide and ready for me.

“Daddy, I thought…”

“Shh,” he says, soothingly, “it’s okay.” He rubs my back.

I allow this lovely reality to become solid in my mind, but the bliss cracks with the reverberations of Bastien’s obvious distress. I pull back from my dad and look up at Bastien, where he stands quivering beside the pool.

My mind presents the problem to me and I already know the devastating answer. I glance at Archie, whose expression shows a deep loss; at Remy, who looks roughly the same; and then at Pennie, who stands beside me.

“Nico did this,” I say through tears.

“Was he big and furry with an impressive vocabulary?” my dad asks gently.

“Yes, that’s him.”

“Then he absolutely did this.”

I have never in my life experienced the collision of such powerfully contrasting emotions. The ecstasy of hugging my father after thinking I never would again impacts with the knowledge that I’ll never be held by my beautiful Nico again.

“There has to be a way to get him back,” I demand of my monsters, even Remy.

None appear to have a single shred of hope that Nico can ever be brought home.

I look at my father, whose age seems to be mildly erased from his time in the pool.

My father studies my face, cupping my cheek with his wet hand. “You found your adventure, Princess.”

“I did, but now I’ve lost someone who…”

His blue eyes squint slightly. “Baby, losthow?”

“Nico traded his life to save yours because he loves me.”

My father nods, seeming unsurprised. “Okay then, Princess Bianca, how are you going to get him back?”

I suddenly remember my father’s words from just before this adventure began, and I repeat them back to him. “Princesses face challenges and they fight for what matters.”

“Yes, they do.”

“I’m going to get him back,” I state, but Archie, Pennie, Bastien, and even Remy still look doubtful. “No,really,” I say, more emphatically, “I’m going to get him back. It’s time for me to meet yourqueen.”

Chapter38

Bianca

Doubty McDoubtersons… the bunch of them. Well, themonsterportion of the bunch, not my dad. My dad has seen me in action, instigating the downfall of bullies both large and small. My childhood was littered with the fallen. I was never afraid to confront those who harmed others—I’m still not. But confronting those who harmed me… I was significantly less adept at that, total crap if I’m into that self-honesty thing.

What was I trying to do? Become a bully whisperer or something? I invited them into my life when I should have drop-kicked them a country mile. For those people, I needed my dad’s support to find my way. He knew I was worth protecting even when I didn’t. So it’s no surprise at all that he’s currently staring at me as though I should already be wearing my tiara and commanding the masses to make better decisions with their lives.

I lean into him, both of us a wet mess of two remarkably healthy humans. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

His arm around me is a beautifully resonant echo of the million comforting moments we’ve shared.

“I’m so glad to be here.” He releases a deep sigh, as though marveling at the air flowing out and then into his lungs. “I thought it was over. I thought I’d never see you again, at least in this life. I thought…”