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Chapter 3

Earwyn and her dogfish are laughing in the kitchen. They stop as soon as they see me. She arches a brow at me. “Look who’s here.”

“Yes, I am. What’s it to you?”

Cove and Vanya giggle while Earwyn straightens her back. “Pardon me?”

“I said, what’s it to you? You going to kick me out? Rub it in my face that you got what you wanted with my dad’s death? At my own hand, nonetheless.” I try to glare at her, but I’m not sure it works.

She waves me off. “You’re high.”

I ignore the comment and move closer to her. “Everyone knows you have a problem with me. But here’s the thing—I didn’t do anything against you. Ever. All the slights you feel, they weren’t my fault. I didn’t ask for the suite! I had no clue my dad tried to kill Tiberias. He set all his decrees on his own. None of it had anything to do with me! You should just give me a break. All I’m trying to do is make the best of the situation. You think it’s easy to adjust to life in Valora after living on land most of my life?”

She starts to say something, but I cut her off.

“It’s not! Everything’s different! Well, don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of snooty mean girls up there. But aside from that, it’s been the challenge of a lifetime. And I didn’t want any of it. I tried to stay on land, and I’m sure nothing would’ve made you happier, but my dad was so controlling and wouldn’t have any of it. So, if you choose to keep picking on me, just know you’re attacking someone who’s already down. And if you think that makes you better, you’re wrong. Dead wrong.”

She starts to say something again, but I push past her. “I don’t want to hear it.”

I storm out of the room and down a hall. There are groups of people making out, and I hurry past them. Everything seems to spin around me until I come to a staircase. Then the house hits me.

No. Actually, I think I slam into the wall. Not sure how I managed that. I rub the side of my head and plop down on a stair. At least I’m away from everyone judging me. I’m away from everyone.

I’m not sure why I felt the need to tell off Earwyn. I thought that powder was supposed to make me not care about anything. Maybe it was the after-effects of saying all that in front of her friends that I didn’t care about.

I’ll probably care later. Or maybe I won’t. I don’t care now, and that’s all that matters.

A few minutes later, everything stops spinning and my head doesn’t hurt anymore. Unless I press on the sore spot. Ow.

I get up then follow the stairs. Laughter sounds and I follow it until I come to a group playing cards.

“Hey, Marra!” says one girl. I really should know her name. She’s in one of my classes. “Wanna join us?”

“I probably don’t know how. Loser who grew up on land, remember?” I laugh at myself.

They laugh too, but at least it doesn’t bother me.

The girl smiles. “It’s easy, and we could use a sixth player. Works so much better with an even number of players.”

I shrug. “Sure.”

As I sit and collect cards, they explain the rules. Seems simple enough. I lose the first round spectacularly but then manage to win the second one. Everybody congratulates me, and we begin a new round. We’re all laughing and having fun, and it nearly feels like we’re friends. Like some of these people weren’t protesting for my dad’s death not long ago. Except that he wasn’t actually my dad, and I killed him.

People should love me. More than Earwyn, even. What has she ever done for anyone other than stick her nose up at them and throw decent parties?

After a few more rounds, everyone heads downstairs. I tag along, and they don’t seem to mind.

In the room where everyone is dancing, there’s a karaoke dance competition. A third-year from the Magic Arts School is facing off with a first year from the royals. Everyone is cheering so loudly, I can’t hear the music.

Once the third-year is declared the winner, they set the mics down. Then a popular fourth-year from the Performing Arts School takes one and looks around. “Who dares to try and beat me?” Her gaze lands on me. “Marra Ayers. What do you say?”

I swallow. Why me? I’ve only ever sung with Bash.

“Do it,” urges one of the mermaids I played cards with. “Beat Ashlyn!”

“Marra!” others agree.

Why not? What do I have to lose? It’s not like anyone could like me any less than most of them already do.