“What does Duri look like?”

“All orange with light pink fins.”

“And I take it that her disappearance is a common occurrence?”

Ilian chuckles. “Yes. She’ll be wearing something blue like her caretaker—the Dagon who announced that the youngling was missing.”

“How do you know she’ll be wearing blue?”

“Because her caretaker matches the colors of her charge’s clothes. Dagons are intersex. Those who wear black, yellow, gold, or red use the pronouns they and them. Those who wear blue, green, and orange use she and her. And those who wear pink, white, and gray use he and him—but most are genderfluid and wear the whole rainbow.”

“Oh, that’s very interesting—”

“Wait, this way!”

I spot a spec of orange through the glass panels, and Ilian takes off in that direction with me hot on his heels. Just as we reach the young Dagon, Dairfyn sprints from the other side.

“There you are, little scamp! You’re in trouble now.”

The pretty Dagon pokes out her bottom lip at them. “I can’t find my friend.”

“What friend?”

“The one playing hide and seek with me.”

By this point, the Kueeng and Duri’s caretaker have caught up and share a look.

“What did your friend look like?” Dairfyn demands.

“He’s white and in a gray dress.”

As soon as the little one says this, something flashes in my peripheral vision—the other Dagon child.

They’re running just outside the palace walls, being chased by a fearsome-looking creature.

“Um, is that him?”

Duri gasps. “Oh, no! The tishpak is chasing him! Moddy, save them!”

The Kueeng bellows for their guards, but the tishpak—some strange monstrous creature crossed between a bulldog and a shark that I assume is a pet—will soon catch up to the small Dagon.

Before me is a window of sorts, and I dash forward to throw it open. Ilian yells at me to stop, but I’m through it before he can grab me. Everyone else is far too large to fit.

My feet hit the sandy ground, and I sprint forward, intent on grabbing the little one, but instead crash into the tishpak, who whimpers at the collision.

The Dagon child looks back only to trip, somehow catapulting himself out of the safety of the bubble.

Without a second thought, I grab hold of some long kelp growing decoratively nearby and launch out after the little one.

Of all the stupid things I’ve done in my life, this probably tops it, but my instincts just take over.

The water is so cold, I’m certain I’m going to freeze instantly. It sucks all the thought and function right out of me.

Luckily, the force in which I jumped out of the Dagon bubble sends me crashing directly into the child.

I wrap my arms around him just as my kelpy lifeline snaps. Salt water stings my eyes as I try to move, and panic sets in because I can’t.

Fuck, I need to save the little Dagon!

Suddenly, something furry folds around my body and tugs me back toward the bubble. One second I’m in the frigid ocean, and the next, I’m warm again.

Blinking my eyes open, I attempt to understand what’s happening. Both Ilian and Dairfyn hover over me. Their lips move, but I can’t hear them.

The Kueeng steps into view, pushing Dairfyn aside and placing a claw against my ear, massaging it until the pressure inside pops.

Sound comes rushing back, along with a headache the size of Mount Everest. I groan, wondering how my body feels so warm.

“Soyam, can you hear me?” I nod as Ilian gathers me back into his arms. “That was very foolish—brave—but foolish.”

“I didn’t think. I just acted.”

Ilian helps me to sit up, and I glance around at the dozens of Dagons surrounding us. In front of me is the palace window I crawled through…except, it’s gone.

Shards of sparkling glass lie scattered in the sand and a monstrous-sized hole now exposes the interior of the Kueeng’s home.

“Um, what happened?”

“Your mate broke through a wall to get to you,” Dairfyn answers, looking delighted that Ilian destroyed the palace—even the Kueeng looks pleased.

“I will pay for that, of course.”

The Dagon royal shakes their head at him. “Do not worry about it, Ithaqua. Your mate saved one of my own, and you saved her. You are both always welcome in my court.”

“Th-thank you, Your Majesty,” I stammer. “But…how did I survive the cold water?”

“My kind has a special elixir that we use to cover our bodies to keep us warm. I gave some to Ilian to run over you.”

“I told you Dagon inventions are one-of-a-kind,” Ilian whispers.

“You weren’t lying.” Even my clothes are dry. “Thank you, all, for saving me.”

Leaning up, I peck my Ithaquan hero on the cheek. Dairfyn bends down to accept my kiss, too, but Ilian covers my face with his hands.

“Get your own mate.”

“But yours is so wonderful.”

“My best friend is better,” I interject.