Chapter 1

Under the deep Atlantic Ocean—far deeper than any human eye had ever seen—lay the kingdom of Tidalonia, a world of shimmering cities built from coral and gold, where millions of mermaids and mermen thrived.

The kingdom overflowed with treasures humans could only dream of: gold, silver, diamonds, pearls, rubies—enchanted relics that glowed brighter than the sun. And yet, for all its beauty, it was ruled by a man who understood one thing: contentment never lasts.

King Nereus Aquaris, the ruler of Tidalonia, had made a dangerous deal with the sea witch, Nereida—to grant every creature of the ocean a single wish. The result was instant loyalty; his people adored him.

Everyone, except his own son.

Prince Nixxon Aquaris, the king’s second child, saw through the illusion. He knew his father’s benevolence was nothing but a performance—another way to control hearts. To the world, he was the perfect ruler. To Nixxon, he was a liar.

Worse, Nixxon had been cursed with the role of the family’s black sheep—while his elder brother, Maren, the golden heir, could do no wrong. Every law Maren obeyed, Nixxon broke before it was even spoken.

But the real wound between father and son ran deeper than disobedience.

It was betrayal.

King Nereus was forcing him into a political marriage with Princess Valtira of Abyssalia—the daughter of King Pelagius, the man responsible for his mother’s death.

The day his father announced the alliance, something inside Nixxon broke.

He’d rather be exiled than marry into the bloodline of his mother’s murderer.

So that morning, while the palace guards changed shifts, Nixxon prepared to flee.

He glided out of his chamber, his silver and violet scales glinting faintly in the dim light. He cursed the way they shimmered—it made stealth nearly impossible. Still, he darted down the golden stairway, past the glowing silver pillars, and into the great hall carved from living stone. The walls shimmered with mother-of-pearl tiles, casting rippling reflections across his face.

Finally, he reached the grand golden shell door—the last barrier between him and freedom.

But freedom demanded silence. One sound wave too loud, and his father would know.

He held his breath, slowly turned the silver handle… and froze.

His heart stopped.

Because standing right in front of him—blocking his escape—was King Nereus himself, with King Pelagius at his side.

“Going somewhere, Xon?” His father’s voice was calm, but deadly.

Nixxon’s tail flicked nervously. His throat felt dry. He tried to retreat, but the heavy pressure of the king’s presence filled the room like a storm.

“You will greet your in-law properly,” Nereus said coldly.

Nixxon hesitated, but bowed slightly, bitterness rising like bile.

“Let the boy be, Nereus,” Pelagius said, gliding forward with that smug grin that made Nixxon’s blood boil. “He’ll come around.”

“I doubt it,” Nereus growled.

Before Nixxon could reply, a voice—smooth, arrogant, and painfully familiar—cut through the water.

“Oh, Father, you won’t believe what those lowborn creatures tried to—”

“Valtira,” Pelagius warned sharply.

The princess stopped mid-sentence and immediately switched tones. “Forgive me,” she said, flashing a rehearsed smile. “Greetings, great King Nereus.”

“Welcome, Princess Valtira,” Nereus replied, pleased.

“Please—Valtira is fine, my King. After all, I’ll soon be your daughter-in-law,” she purred, her long silver hair rippling elegantly behind her.

Nereus chuckled, turning to Nixxon with mock approval. “At least one of them is sensible.”

Pelagius smirked. “Indeed.”

Nixxon clenched his fists beside his mother’s sculpture, anger pounding in his chest.

He wanted to scream. He wanted to tear the smugness from their faces.

But he stayed silent—until his father called again.

“Come here, Xon.”

Nixxon obeyed slowly, head bowed. “Yes, Father.”

Valtira’s eyes followed him hungrily as he swam closer. Her beauty meant nothing to him. Behind that pretty face was rot—cruelty inherited from her father. He’d heard how she treated the lower merfolk. He despised her.

“Take your fiancée on a tour,” Nereus ordered. “Your father-in-law and I have a wedding to prepare for.”

Nixxon froze.

Wedding? Tomorrow?

His scales darkened—a physical sign of turmoil. “What?” he whispered, his voice trembling.

“You heard me,” Nereus said evenly. “It’s been decided.”

“No.” His voice rose. “I shall not marry her.”

The room went deathly still. Even the water seemed to still around them.

“Did you hear me, Xon?” His father’s tone sharpened like a blade.

“I did. And my answer stands.” He turned sharply to face Pelagius, his rage surfacing. “I will never marry the daughter of my mother’s killer!”

In the next heartbeat, a whirlpool burst where his father had been standing.

Before Nixxon could react, a powerful hand struck across his face, sending him crashing into a shelf of glittering treasures. Jewels and shells tumbled around him.

Pain shot through his cheek, but he met his father’s furious gaze without flinching.

His blood boiled. His scales shimmered darker.

“You have disgraced me,” Nereus said coldly, voice echoing through the hall.

“I see now,” Nixxon rasped, breath shaking, “you never loved her. You never loved Mother. I wouldn’t be surprised if you had a hand in her death too—”

“Enough!” Nereus roared, and before Nixxon could move, the sharp end of the golden scepter drove deep into his shoulder.

Nixxon screamed, his vision flashing white with pain as the glowing scepter burned into his flesh.

Blood clouded the water around him—brilliant red against the gold.

And as his father’s shadow loomed above him, Nixxon thought only one thing:

He would escape.

Even if it killed him.