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“Maris, I didn’t plan this! It’s not how it works!”

“Then, how… I…” Maris groaned and stood from her chair. “Is it even allowed? Mates from different kingdoms?”

“Another reason to keep it hidden. I’ve never heard of people from different kingdoms being actual heart mates, let alone soulmates. I am telling you, Maris. Something is changing around us, and I am not sure we are ready for it.”

“The gods are allowing all of this to happen?”

“Who knows?”

Maris rubbed the back of her neck. Things were changing all right. Her conversation with Captain Hurley had been eye opening. She had always felt strange in her own skin but having him look at her as if she was royalty had shifted something inside of her.

“How’s your shoulder?” Melvian asked, touching Maris and making her jump at the sudden contact.

“It’s fine. I thought you healed it.”

“I haven’t been a blessed worshipper for a long time. I still think my powers don’t work.”

“Well, they do and if they didn’t, it doesn’t matter. Valda took me to the pools.”

“Sealian waters have that effect, especially on your people,” Melvian disposed of the glass in a nearby receptacle and moved to Maris. “I would like to look at it, if you do not mind.”

“Oh, no. Not at all.” Maris moved a chair aside for Melvian. The young woman touched and prodded Maris’s shoulder quietly. Still, Maris could feel her friend’s angry eyes burning holes on the side of her face. “Are you sure you are not mad at me?”

Melvian sighed and moved her hands away. “It took me by surprise to see him kneeling before you. Plus, you were touching his face so sweetly. I—” She groaned in frustration.

“If it makes you feel any better, I can say he is not attractive at all,” Maris lied, her lips pursed as she tried her hardest not to laugh.

Melvian eyed her and pushed her shoulder away before standing up. “I know he is gorgeous. All you Sealians are.”

“You think I’m gorgeous, Melvian?” Maris batted her eyelashes and laughed when Melvian made a vulgar gesture.

“No, but seriously. What were you guys talking about?”

Maris’s laughter died down as she thought of an answer. She might as well tell her friend the truth. “He spoke of his life in the Sea Kingdom. Valda called for him because I told her I’ve never met a Sealian before. She thought that maybe it would do me good to talk with someone from my home kingdom.”

“Did it?” Melvian asked, sitting back down next to her.

“Yes and no. Yes, because I got to live through him and experience what the kingdom used to be, and no because I’ve never felt more homesick in my life. I didn’t even know you could be homesick in a place you have no recollection of.”

Melvian gave Maris a sympathetic smile before patting her arm.

“Captain Hurley was sweet enough to go on to full detail about everything and then he said the weirdest thing.”

Melvian tilted her head. “What did he say?”

“He told me that I looked just like Queen Amphitrite.” Maris casted a gaze to the closed door of the meeting room before traveling back to Melvian. “And I was petrified at that. He thinks I am the heir.”

Melvian took a deep breath. “He said that?”

Maris nodded.

“Isen can be dramatic, of that I can assure you. I bet he was all ‘I shall be your champion, my Queen.’ and grabbed your hand and looked into your eyes.”

“He did let me touch his chest.” Maris wiggled her eyebrows. “And face too.”

“Maris, I swear to Asclepius, I will slap that grin off your face.”

“I don’t think your queen will like that,” Maris teased.