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“I’ll speak to the school about that.”

“Well, I didn’t actually go there. I thought I was fine. You know me, stubborn as a mule.” I laugh nervously. “But he made sure I was okay before leaving me. And that’s not all. When people were rioting against my dad—I mean, your brother—he pulled me away when I wanted to fight them. He brought me to his room and—”

“He took you to his room?”

“Wait! It’s not like that. To study. That’s all. We—”

“I’ve heard more than enough.” He spins around.

“Dad!” I lunge for him, but Mom stops me.

“Let them talk.”

“Can you imagine how that’s going to go? A normal dad-boyfriend talk is bad enough, but he’s the king!”

Mom plays with my hair. “He’s a kind merman, sweetheart. And if anyone knows what it’s like to have love ripped away, it’s him. Your dad is the last person to try and push you two apart.”

She does have a point. “Are you sure?”

Mom gives me a knowing look and nods. “I’m not saying he won’t warn Bash not to break your heart, but he won’t be irrational.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I am.” She leads me over to her phone. “I found some dress ideas you might like. We can also look for some more.”

“It doesn’t really matter if I like the dress. It’s your wedding.”

She smiles at me. “I want you to feel beautiful in it.”

“But everyone will be looking at you. You’ll look amazing.”

“Thanks, hon. I appreciate it, but it isn’t just about me. We’re all going to be a family at long last. It’s about all three of us.”

I sigh. “Remind me why you couldn’t just marry him in the first place.”

“Your grandfather wouldn’t allow it. As king, he had the final say. For whatever reason, he picked me to marry Drake.” Sadness washes over her face.

“And you two didn’t even try to change his mind?”

“We did. Your father pleaded with him, but he wouldn’t have any of it.”

“And Dad never married? Not even after he banished us?”

She shakes her head. “He always held out hope that we would someday end up together.”

“Why did you marry his brother?”

“I was in no position to defy the king. He elevated my parents’ position in the royal class, and my entire family benefitted.”

A horrible thought strikes me. “I’m not going to be forced to marry someone I don’t want to, am I?”

“No. I promise.”

“How can you say that? The king has the final say! And he’s in there talking with Bash.” My pulse races. “I need to get in there!”

Mom puts her hand on my shoulder. “Your dad won’t stop anyone from getting married. Not after what we’ve been through. But you don’t need to worry about that right now. You still have three more years of academy. Just enjoy them, and don’t concern yourself with the future. Speaking of school, how are things going?”

I shrug, then take the phone from her and scroll through images of dresses.