“It’s . . .” I’m not sure how to answer, and a lie fails to materialize. “It’s nothing.”

I jump up, trying to wipe the wet sand off its surface.

“Thank you for your help. I have to go now.”

I leap out of the pool, and without another word, I run for the door, hoping I won’t be spotted on my way to an exit.

But then a body steps into the doorway and I slide to a stop, my wet feet squeaking against the smooth tiles. Cyan, the Alluvion King, stands before me, his arms folded and his head cocked, a sliver of moonlight illuminating his dark blue hair and a pale cheekbone.

“Going somewhere, Lor?”

CHAPTER 15

Istumble over my feet, catching myself before I face-plant into the floor.

Cyan watches me with a dispassionate expression, his feet spread wide like a wall, harboring no intention of allowing me through. The corner of his mouth curls up, and he looks like he’s caught a cat with a canary in its jaws. And I’m the stupid cat. Or the stupid canary? Either way, I’m fucked.

“How long have you been waiting there?” I ask, gasping for breath. My heart gallops in my chest, my ribcage compressing into my lungs.

“Long enough to know you’ve stolen my ark and were planning to abscond with it. After all the hospitality I’ve shown you?”

“I . . . uh . . .”

I have absolutely no position of defense or explanation other than that’s exactly what I intended to do. My gaze slides past him, and I wonder how far I can get before he stops me. He catches the direction of my stare and lunges, his hand circling my arm, squeezing tight.

“What are you doing with it?” he asks. All his previous feigned affability and cool demeanor are gone, his blue eyes flashing in the slice of moonlight that falls across his face. “How dare you come into my home and steal one of my most precious objects while desecrating my sacred tide pools?”

“I need it,” I hiss. “More than you can possibly understand.”

“You think that makes it right? To steal from me?” He squeezes my arm tighter, and I wince at the pressure against my bones.

“Let me go.” I attempt to yank my arm from his grasp, but he holds on.

His jaw turns to stone. “You could have just asked,” he says, and I scoff.

“You would never have given it to me.”

“Now you’ll never know,” he says. “Instead of appealing to my good nature, you’ve now forced me to feed you to my pet sea dragon. Such a pity, Heart Queen. Just when you’d returned after all this time. I suppose your family truly is destined for nothing but ruin.”

I yank again, but his grip is firm, and I’m starting to panic.

“I need it to save him!” I scream. “Please. I’m begging you.”