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He had allies. Even a few friends.

He lacked nothing but Marin’s love and admiration, and he would earn that soon enough.

Kaerius concentrated on the rhythm, ignoring the heaviness in his heart and the pang of longing for something he could not identify.

The humans moved their feet with nearly as much facility as they moved their hands, and Kaerius would need all his wits to remember the patterns of the various dances.

After demonstrating several dance steps that matched each rhythm, and showing him how the steps could be strung together like knots on a rope, Brighton suggested that Kaerius dance with Lila.

The prince stepped forward, holding his left hand up as Brighton had and putting his right hand lightly against Lila’s waist. He kept his eyes on hers. She smiled at him, warm and sweet and compassionate, and he wondered suddenly whether she felt sorry for him. Did he look pitiful?

He straightened his shoulders even more and smiled regally back at her. He was not someone to be pitied or scorned.

Her eyes danced with humor, but she said nothing other than quiet corrections to his footwork. Brighton told him howthe man was expected to lead the dance, but the woman was expected to follow, and a skillful dance partner made the act much more enjoyable. The princess was quite skillful, and she would follow his lead well, if he could learn even a little of the motions.

Heel, toe. Heel, toe. One, two, three. One, two, three. Turn and twirl his partner. Kaerius felt his mind swirling with the unfamiliar steps, and he wished they could see him in his element, strong and fierce and regal. He had underestimated how frustrating and humiliating it would be to seem so unsophisticated, so uneducated in the ways of royalty. A Mer dance was far lovelier than this, with the flash of light on glittering scales and the swish of water on one’s skin, not to mention the exuberant leaps into the air. Human movement, limited by gravity to only one plane, seemed almost claustrophobic in comparison.

He stumbled, suddenly light-headed, and Brighton caught him under one arm.

“Are you dizzy?” the man asked.

Kaerius nodded, and the movement made the whole room seem to spin around him.

“I think you’ve had enough for one day,” Brighton said. “I’ll help you to bed.”

Kaerius straightened by force of will, but he had no desire to argue.

Chapter 11

Sunlight lit the room in soft gold. Kaerius woke to the strange sensation of warm air upon his face. He thrashed violently, only to realize that he had turned so that his face was half-buried in the fluffy pillow, and it was his own breath that had so startled him.

He turned over and stared at the ceiling and around the room. The warmth and comfort of the bed and the bright, clean furnishings seemed delightfully unpretentious and hospitable. The house was nearly silent, but he could hear low voices several rooms away and birdsong outside.

When he finally emerged from this cocoon of safety and comfort, he found that breakfast had long been put away and Brighton and Lila were preparing lunch together in the kitchen.

“Finally decided to join us?” said Brighton.

I’m sorry. Kaerius leaned against the doorframe. He felt strangely numb and exhausted. Perhaps it was the deluge of new words and ideas and sensations. He had certainly gotten plenty of sleep.

“How are you feeling? You must be hungry.” Lila smiled at him for a moment, and Brighton glanced at him to see his answer.

I could eat. Kaerius rubbed his chest and took a deep, bracing breath, feeling how the air stung the deepest parts of his lungs. He turned away to cough, bracing one hand against the doorframe. His pulse throbbed in his ears.

“Goodness,” said Lila in alarm. “Are you all right?”

Kaerius nodded.I’m sorry, he signed again.The kraken gave me lungs that needed air while I was still far below the surface. I wasn’t fully prepared for that. I think I’m coping rather well, all things considered.

“Why don’t you sit down? Lunch is almost ready.” Lila pointed toward the table.

Kaerius sank into the nearest chair and watched as Brighton and Lila moved about the kitchen in quiet cooperation, as if this ritual of preparing meals together was comfortable and familiar. He had never thought much about human families, but this domestic scene appeared unexpectedly charming.

Lila put plates on the table while Brighton filled cups with water from a glass pitcher in which floated little pieces of several kinds of fruit. The kettle on the stove began to shriek, and Lila poured the steaming water into another kettle.

“Even when he coughs, there’s no sound,” Lila said to Brighton. She looked at Kaerius with new sympathy.

“Is there more saltwater in your lungs? Or do you think it’s nearly gone?” Brighton studied him.

I’m fine.Kaerius smiled, feeling the fatigue lingering at the back of his mind.Thank you for your hospitality.