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The night had slipped out of my fingers and crashed to the floor.

A selfish, obsessed part of me had a fucking great evening. Sitting next to Daphne while she got ready, having an excuse to stare at her unabashedly. Catching a glimpse of her toned leg when she put on her shoes, even if it made the front of my pants rather uncomfortable. All things that would chalk up to a great night.

But dinner fucking ruined it. Dislike was a kind word for how I felt about her parents. I knew they had their moments, but every time they snuck a dig at Daphne, I wanted to scream at them until they opened their eyes to her perfection.

I didn’t, I held it in. Because that would embarrass her. So I formed a habit of passing my hand over my mouth to physically stop the words from coming out.

Another cry through the door. Daphne was trying to mask her crying, trying to keep it soft. But I could still hear it.

I had to rest my head against the door and curl my fists to keep from breaking it down. I just wanted to fucking hold her. To let her cry but do it with me wrapped around her.

Not alone.

But our dynamic was so fragile. And for all I knew, she didn’t want me anywhere near her.

I could hear her moving around her room and I listened, practically begging for her crying to escalate to sobs. That, I told myself, was when I’d break down her door and fucking comfort her.

It didn’t though. Nothing changed until I heard the distinct splash of water.

I knew what that meant.

Daphne had probably jumped right off her balcony into the sea.

“And why can’t you just walk around to the stables like a normal person?” I asked, my hand on Daphne’s chin.

She shrugged, sitting cross-legged on my bed. Or our bed now, I guess. “Takes too long.”

I took the long way around, if only to try to calm myself down. I’d do something stupid if I couldn’t get my head on straight.

I stepped outside and what I saw sent panic like I’d never known through my body.

No.No. No.

It was the only word I could think as I surged forward, toward Daphne’s limp body. Floating in the water and showing no signs of life.

She shouldn’t have gone out into the water while her power wasn’t stable. But none of that mattered. I ran toward the barrier as fast as I could, ready to dive into the water and swim to her.

When I passed the stables, I almost fell to my knees in relief. I couldn’t see it from further away, but June was swimming up from the water below, barreling toward Daphne.

I watched, my blood still on fire from the panic, while June spun around Daphne. She finally,finallymoved, letting out a laugh and twisting to sit astride the saddle on June’s back.

And that was when I decided I could accomplish two goals at once—keep that smile on her face and get her back for scaring the shit out of me.

Chapter 16

Daphne

I’d forgotten how much of a sneaky little bitch June was.

When I first swam by the stables, I heard her from afar. A general statement ofhello, what do you think you’re doing out there without me?

I sent back my intention for her to join me. The hippocampi stayed in the stables because they wanted to. They could swim right over their stalls and out if they pleased.

June hadn’t responded, so I decided to just float for a little, letting the salt wash away my tears. Right as I was starting to feel peaceful again, June came rushing toward me like her tail was on fire, spinning me out from my relaxed position.

I grabbed onto her saddle at the last second, hauling myself onto her back. She spun around happily, flipping us both around in a circle. I couldn’t help but laugh.

When she finally stopped twirling and blowing bubbles back into my face, she calmed. Enough for me to pass my hand over her mane in soothing strokes, letting her feel how much I missed her.