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“Yes,” he says at last. “That is her path, but she can handle it. She has fire in her soul, just like her mother. But there is one thing standing in her way.”

I look up to find him staring at me, his eyes glass-bright in the moonlight. The hope from moments ago is gone, anger standing in its place.

“What’s that?”

“I need ye to take care of it for me,” he says in the same voice he uses to command his crew. “It will help save Mira.”

“What is it?” I grumble.

“She has a mate,” he says. I reel back, brow furrowing. “Veyra confirmed it. I know who he is.”

Cold unease curls through my chest. Ordinarily, this would be good news, but like Bleu said, Mira is different. She’s too vulnerable to hand off to someone who might take advantage of her power for their own good.

“He’s dangerous.” Bleu continues. “I need him gone.” My eyes narrow. He means killed.

“She’s fourteen,” I say in disbelief. “How does she already have a mate?”

“From the moment yer born, ye have a mate. It’s just another destiny,” he says.

“Who is it?” I ask, unsure if I want to know the answer.

“Kai Eldoris,” Bleu says, his jaw clenching in pure disgust.

“The Pirate Lord?” I ask, incredulous. The most feared man in the sea is Mira’s mate. More than that, his father murdered her mother. If not for Captain Eldoris, Sirena would still be alive. I shake my head. “Bleu, something tells me someone as powerful as Kai Eldoris will be able to protect her. Isn’t this good news?”

“No,” he snaps. “He’s said to be her undoing.”

“That could mean love,” I counter. “Not loss.” I hold his gaze, but his countenance remains the same. “I won’t kill him.” My gods, I hope I’m doing the right thing.

Bleu lets out a rough grunt and begins to pace, boots cutting hard lines through the sand as his mind races, already searching for another way to spill Eldoris’s blood. Vengeance is a difficult thing for anyone to relinquish, and I worry Bleu will take it even further.

“Speaking of shattering destinies,” I cut in before he can disappear too far into that fury, “if you kill Kai, you destroy Mira’s chance at love. That’s a future you’re willing to break?” He turns on me, rage bright in his eyes.

“It is one I will gladly shatter,” he spits. “No daughter of mine will ever be mated to an Eldoris.”

“Then why not tell her about him?” I ask, anger threading through my voice.

“She’ll go looking for him, ye know how she is. She is curious,” Bleu fires back. “I’ll raise her to hate the Eldoris bloodline. When the time comes, maybe that hate will be stronger than fate.”

I let out a sharp, doubtful laugh. What a delusional way to look at the stars. “It seems fate itself disagrees with you, Bleu,” I say. “They’re already mated. You can’t undo that. This is a prophecy. It can’t be erased or written over by hatred. It’s about love.” The word settles in my chest, heavy and undeniable. Silas was wrong. Love isn’t weakness.

“The most powerful thing in this world,” I add softly.

“I will break the bond,” he says, resolute, as if force alone can rewrite the heavens. He hasn’t heard a single word I’ve said. Grief has been leading him astray for some time now, but I see it clear as day. He’s completely blinded by it.

“I won’t help you with this,” I tell him. “You’re on your own.” I turn my back on him and start toward Pebble’s, the lights and noise spilling into the night.

“Be smart, Bleu,” I call over my shoulder. “This isn’t the curse you think it is. Eldoris is powerful. He can protect her better than anyone.” Almost anyone, that is. “No matter how much you hate his bloodline.”

Mira Bleu and Kai Eldoris. A pairing strong enough to tilt the balance of the sea. I have faith in them, in what they could become together, in what they could save. The way their bond might end the reign of my mother. They might just be the way out of my cursed destiny.

I’ve barely gone a few paces when I hear Bleu call my name.

“Neressa.”

I turn. He’s run to catch up with me, the wind tugging at his coat.

“I heard about Silas,” he says. “Be careful. The royals, they’re stronger than they appear.” My eyes dart around, scanning the shadows of the shoreline to make sure we’re still alone.