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O nce again, the ocean magic poured off me the moment my head broke through the crashing waves. As my vision cleared, my muscles ached, and everything felt far too heavy. I’d barely made it five steps onto the beach before I collapsed against the warm sand.

Although any rest I could’ve enjoyed was snatched away from me by a looming shadow that now blocked the sun. Heavy boots dug into the sand by my head.

“Care to explain why I just watched my bride crawl out of the ocean when she’s supposed to be dressing for our wedding?”

Blinking the salt from my eyes, I peered up to see Lukas’s stormy expression bearing down on me. “I can explain.” I rolled over to push myself up.

“Can you?” He stepped back, scoffing.

Another splash sounded from the waves behind me followed by a cheerful, “Cousin!”

“I should’ve known you’d be involved with this,” Lukas grumbled at Adriana. “Oh, there’s more I see.” He scowled as she helped Raena break the surface before shooting me another glare. “You know Erik’s been looking for her all morning. I won’t be protecting you once he realises what you’ve done. Unless he draws his sword you’re on your own, forest princess.”

“She won’t be.” Arenn marched out of the water.

A knot formed in my throat as I watched Lukas’s gaze harden like steel. “You,” he seethed. Without another word, he charged towards him.

Rage became flying fists. Raena screamed. I barely had time to scramble to my feet before a loud crack echoed across the beach, and Arenn crashed down against the waves, clutching a now-bloody nose.

“Stop!” I lunged forwards, planting myself between them.

“I should’ve thrown you in the dungeons when you first arrived on this damned beach,” Lukas snarled over my shoulder while I struggled to hold him back.

“But I’ve made your visit here so much fun,” Arenn taunted.

“Enough please,” I scolded them both. Tipping my head back, I met Lukas’s intense gaze. “Calm yourself. Arenn didn’t do anything to hurt me today. He was actually quite helpful with distracting the sea monster.”

“Sea monster?” Lukas almost choked. “Was that what you were fighting when I felt you calling out to me?”

I didn’t remember calling out to him, but then again, I did almost die.

Hesitantly, I nodded before Adriana added, “And there were two of them!”

“Damn it, Naria.” Lukas exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. “You’re leaving me no choice. I’m actually going to have to chain you to my bed frame.”

His threat sent a sudden heat pooling in my belly while Arenn bolted upright. But before another fight could start, I turned to address the faery.

“Are you alright?” I asked tenderly.

Arenn stiffened. “Y-yes.” He wiped away the dribble of blood that had settled on his lips. Other than a slight rosy flush on his cheeks, he seemed fine. Either that or he’d already glamoured the bruise away.

“Good,” I said, giving him a slight smile. “I meant what I said before. You were incredibly helpful today. Thank you.”

Before he could reply, his gaze was forced down as Lukas’s arm curled around my waist, pulling me back against his chest possessively.

“You’re welcome, human,” Arenn said, turning his chin towards the waves. Discomfort lurked in his gaze, but I didn’t press. Instead, I turned away to face the seething man behind me.

“Let me show you why I had to leave.” I reached for the bag of algae at my hip, but the frantic sound of footsteps stole our attention away.

“Raena, are you hurt?” Erik burst out from the line of palm trees, his chest heaving. “I heard you screaming. What happened? Where’ve you been?” Before she could reply, he threw his arms around her, holding her close. “Your gown… Why are you all wet?” He pulled away to glare at her dripping clothes.

“It’s a long story,” Raena laughed nervously. “But I’m fine now, I promise.” She cupped his cheek, brushing her thumb against his face.

“Are you certain?” he demanded.

She laughed again, softer this time. “Quite.”

The knight tensed his jaw, but after a little more fussing his attention flew to me, and his gaze turned deathly serious. “With all due respect, Your Highness, you really ought to leave this kingdom as soon as possible.”

“What?” My lips parted.

“There are riots in the ballroom,” he explained. “They started this morning. Someone has gathered all the servants and guards and convinced them you’re responsible for Prince Raphael’s sickness.”

“But I’d never—”

“We know.” Lukas’s arm tightened around my waist. “And this matter is already being dealt with.” He shot Erik a warning look. “So there’s no need to be afraid. Queen Cora is reasoning with them as we speak—”

“Her reasoning did not work.” Erik’s tone made us both stiffen. “I just came from the ballroom. They believe Queen Cora is too sick with grief to see the truth. And now King Ronan has joined the staff and ordered for search parties to find Princess Naria and ‘bring her to justice’.”

My palms felt sticky. Not King Ronan too…

“Please, Your Majesty. There’s not much time.” He addressed Lukas with desperate eyes. “If you care for your betrothed, you’ll get her on a horse and ride out of here before she’s caught. I can prepare the carriage and meet you in the forests later; you just can’t stay here any longer. It’s not safe.”

Shaking my head, I reached for the pouch at my hip when my fingers were snatched up by a cold, tense hand.

“I’ll take her.” Arenn dragged me towards him. “I can use my magic. It’ll be safer.”

“You are not going anywhere with her,” Lukas seethed, pulling me back.

Before I could shrug them both off, Erik’s panicked voice sliced between us. “Magic?” His finger shot up to point at Arenn’s long faery ears as if only just noticing them now. “You mean to tell me that he… That thing has been a faery this whole time? But I spoke with him at Cora’s garden party. H-he was human before!”

Raena shoved his arm down and tugged him away from the group to explain everything in hushed whispers while Adriana, who’d been silently watching us all until now, followed the pair with a grin.

Long story, indeed.

Turning back to my own problems, I shook free of the fierce hands that gripped me before stepping back to address both men. “I am not leaving this kingdom with either of you,” I said plainly. “Not until I have healed Prince Raphael.”

Lukas sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. “But Naria, you’ve already tried. There’s no helping him—”

“There is.” Unhooking the pouch from my belt, I held it out to him. “This is why I had to go underwater. This will cure him. I’m certain of it.”

“What is it?” His brow lowered, unconvinced.

“The cure,” was all I said before attaching it back to my hip and clenching my fists. “Now I’m going to find the prince. Both of you are welcome to join me or you may stay here. I do not mind which you choose.” Spinning on my heels, I’d made it two steps before I was yanked back into, this time, Arenn’s chest.

“There’s no point walking when I can just deliver you myself to the prince,” he grumbled, holding me tight.

I began to resist, but then I stopped. Travelling this way would be easier, I supposed.

“Take your hands off her,” Lukas growled, lunging for us.

But Arenn just ignored him. Leaning closer, he whispered, “Close your eyes, Princess.”

For once, I did exactly as he’d asked.