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Aria’s brow furrowed. “Actually, my understanding is that only children descended from gods are granted elemental powers. Magic, like the magic you have, is found in royal children.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “You have magic that derives from the water. Your elemental power.”

“I wouldn’t consider it a power. I’m a poor conductor of my magic. I frolic in my daydreams too much, according to my mother.” Aria laughed quietly and shrugged. “Guess performing magic tricks was never my strength. I prefer watching in amazement at what others can do. Your talent has always been captivating.”

She nudged his shoulder with her own, a playful gesture she hoped would lighten the thick, suffocating air around them. “Especially when you created those waterspouts and filled them with lightning. You gave me a storm of my own, right down to the tiny licks of flame and the clouds and…the…” Her eyes lowered, memories sweeping through her mind. Of the times when Caspian controlled the waters to create magnificent obstacles and illusions. He brought elements—elements—into some of his displays. Magical displays he shared only with her. “Oh, gods.”

She blinked before daring to meet his gaze again. His brow lifted.

“Your magic. It’s not just magic. It’s elemental. And multiple elements.” Her lips moved, this time silent, until she was able to form the words. “You’re not just a prince. You’re agod. The Forgotten Prince of the Lost Kingdom Astauria. The gods’ paradise. Only the most powerful gods and goddesses can visit Astauria.”

“That last part is a rumor, as you might imagine. Astauria is a place like any other. Dima is no goddess. She’s an exiled sea demon who takes the form of a mermaid. It’s her basic form, but not what she truly is. However, she possesses magic, dark magic, that she’s become skilled enough to weave into elements. She dwells at the bottom of the oceans, wreaking havoc on kingdoms unprotected from her wiles. She has a small following, but she prefers to work alone.”

“Then why is she searching for you?”

“Because I’m the only one who can set her free. She’s been cursed to remain bound to the ocean, unable to take any humanoid form. She gains her most potent resources from human life essences. Something about a mortal’s soul calls to her darkness. A beacon of light, an intoxicating and addicting ambrosia. She needs humans to strengthen her powers, and she’s been refused such allowances. So, she seeks the only means to end her incarceration.” Caspian’s eyes lowered again. “It was my father who cursed her after she left a trail of blood and body parts along one of our pristine beaches. The blood of innocent humans. It turned our shores red.”

Aria sucked in a deep, controlled breath, trying to wrap her head around this new information. Caspian, her once beloved friend, wasn’t just a prince, but a god. An immensely powerful god, if his small displays to her many years ago were any indication. His secrets, though not terrible, dug a proverbial claw into her heart. He hadn’t been able to trust her. Why did it hurt so much now, all this time later? Especially when she had proven all too well he couldn’t put his faith in her fickle heart. But that was before she’d learned better.

Slowly, she pushed off the sofa and crossed to the window. Rain pummeled the glass and pelted the tall grass flat. The darkened waters roared below the cliff, whitecaps thick and large atop vicious waves. She swore she could feel the vibrations of their rage through her feet when they crashed into the rocky cliff.

Cold seeped into her skin. She hugged herself, unable to shake the chill and the sinking churn of her stomach.

“What happened to Astauria?” Aria asked quietly. She couldn’t look at him, not when she felt the pain of failing to earn his full trust. Right as he’d been, why did it feel like betrayal?

“It fell. After the massacre, after my father denied her advances, she sought me. I was the son of god and goddess. She’d seen me practicing my magic, honing my powers. She knew what I possessed and saw a different opportunity, but I knew what she was after and didn’t give her what she wanted. I had just learned of the bloodshed and when she approached me, I cast her away. Literally. With a whirlpool of lava.”

All this time, and she never realized. Never put the obvious together. He never performed magic in public, but didn’t shy from it with her. How had she not suspected? Her curiosity usually got the best of her about everything and everyone. Except Caspian.

“She retaliated, drunk on a power high from all the human life essence she devoured. Dima possesses a scream like a banshee, only the damage her scream produces is a hundred times worse. We didn’t know. Weren’t prepared. The ocean floor cracked. Opened up wide. Lava spouted through the cracks, melting all in its path. That’s how it started. The floor swallowed parts of Astauria in fiery wrath. Our guards attacked and were mercilessly slain by sharks. Our castle crumbled. One of the jade bricks crushed my tail in my escape. Another stone knocked me in the head. I lost consciousness.

“When I awoke, I gazed upon a nightmare.”

The click of glass drew her attention. Caspian was pouring himself another brandy.

“My mother was dead. My father barely alive. Yes, we’re gods, but we’re not indestructible. Dima’s screams somehow countered their attempts to protect themselves, cutting through their power and mine. My father warned me of the curse and the role I would play, and commanded I leave. He died in his determination to force me to flee. When I made my way through the devastation Dima’s vengeful attack left, I couldn’t recognize our kingdom. There was nothing left but thick streams of blood dispersing through the undercurrents, the bodies of our merpeople—or what was left of them—and mountains of rubble that used to be homes. I escaped, using my drained strength to conjure spells to keep her from tracking me. I struggled to wash away the blood trail left by my wounds. It took me weeks from that day to finally arrive in Timarra. To you.”

Caspian twisted around, resting a hand on the table with the brandy decanter. His eyes brimmed with a sorrow and grief so stark it scalded her skin. She had never once seen such vulnerability in him, and certainly didn’t expect this degree of regret. He tossed back the shot of brandy in one gulp, placed the snifter on the tray, and hesitantly approached her.

Did he really think she’d run after his admission?

Did he think, after all this time, that she’d see him as anything other than a magnificent man with the potential to save all merfolk?

“I’m sorry, Aria. For bringing her to your home. I should never have stayed as long as I had, but I couldn’t help it. Yes, I was a fool.” He offered a sad grin. “A blinded fool. I thought I had erased my tracks, but I should have known she would never give up her hunt for me as long as the curse remained. You and your family were never the ones Dima sought, but you’re the perfect bait to get what she wants. Me.”

“We’ve been estranged for years. How could she think this horrible plan would work?”

Caspian rubbed a hand over his chin and jaw. He tilted his head, his gaze drawing her in. Open and unfiltered. No mask. Nothing hidden. “Because you have always been my one weakness, Aria. From the first day I saw you, I’ve loved you unconditionally. I just never believed she’d find me, find you, and learn the truth.”

Her jaw slackened, her lips pulled apart on a gasp. Love. All this time, helovedher?

As if to answer her unspoken question, he reached out and brushed his knuckles over her jaw. Traced the bone of her cheek with the same fire-tingling caress. She found herself dipping her head into his touch, a touch brimming with possibilities and promises. A touch that defied any of the playful jabs of her youth.

Her heart spoke to her now. Cooing with delight.

Her heart responded to his confession with a lifetime of joy.

Why did she not listen to her heart all those years ago?