Right after the incident with Maron, a new word appeared on my wrist: Compassion.
The glowing script faded slowly into my skin, joining Fertility, Friendship, and Fire.
I traced it with my fingers and finally started to understand—these marks weren't random. They appeared whenever I did something that mattered, that changed something, that felt… right.
Whatever it meant, it made my chest warm. Especially now, when my relationship with the kids of Mariner's Bay was finally shifting.
Kids have always been closest to my heart. Encouraging them to learn, explore, and discover new things is one of the reasons I became a librarian. So being able to earn the trust and respect of the Mariner's Bay children? It gave my life here a purpose.
With them, I didn't feel like a prisoner anymore. I felt like… a teacher again.
We had our little routines now. I taught them how to tidy up and take turns, how to share and say thank you, how to appreciate small things, not just shiny ones. Values more precious than any treasure piled in Rocco's palace.
Rocco never interfered. He just watched from afar and let me be.
"Ms. Sienna, look!" Pietri ran up to me one afternoon, his eyes bright. He opened his palm to reveal a small red gem. "I found this on the floor. Do you want it?"
"That's a beautiful gem, Pietri," I said, smiling. "Thank you for showing me."
His grin got wider.
"But," I added gently, "maybe it's better if we return it to whoever dropped it. They might be missing it."
"Oh…" He deflated a little. "Okay. I guess I'll return it."
"You know what?" I said quickly. "Since you're being honest and kind enough to return it, as a prize… we'll play hide-and-seek with everyone."
His face lit up like a lantern. "Really?!"
"Yes, really," I laughed.
Pietri sprinted off, yelling for the others. Soon, a pack of giggling mer-children gathered around me, tails swishing, fins fluttering. I explained the rules—how one child would close their eyes and count, and the others would hide. They listened like it was some sacred ritual.
"Alright," I clapped my hands. "Let's pick the seeker and the hiders!"
"Wait, Ms. Sienna," Sari—one of the little mer-girls with shimmering lavender scales—raised her hand. "Aren't you going to play with us too?"
"Please join us!" another child begged.
The rest chimed in, and their pleading eyes were impossible to refuse.
"Okay, okay," I surrendered, chuckling. "I'll play too."
Pietri was chosen as the seeker. Everyone else scattered in every direction.
Honestly? I was at a disadvantage. I was bigger and less slippery than them, and finding a hiding spot was a challenge. I hurried through coral pillars and rock formations until I spotted a massive coral that looked like a tree trunk with hollowed-out pockets inside.
Perfect.
I squeezed myself into one of the hollows. It was a tight fit—my butt definitely did not belong in small coral crevices—but I managed.
Outside, I heard Pietri's voice echo: "Ready or not, here I come!"
I held my breath, as quiet as a mouse. Little by little, I heard him finding the other kids—shouts of "Found you!" and squeals of laughter.
"Okay, everyone else keep hiding," Pietri called out. "I want to find Ms. Sienna next!"
Oh no.
I pressed myself deeper into the coral nook, peeking through a gap. I was so focused on spotting Pietri that I didn't realize someone was behind me—until a shadow blocked the light and a tall figure slipped into the tiny space, practically caging me in.
I gasped and looked up.
Rocco.
He somehow folded himself into the same hollow, his body curved around mine, his arms braced on either side of me. The coral nook was just big enough for me alone—now with him there, there was no room to move.
"What are you doing?" I whispered, heart pounding so loud I swore he could hear it. His cool skin pressed against my back, and his breath brushed my ear.
"Shhh," he murmured, lips close enough to make me shiver. "He'll find you if you make a sound."
The space shrank further. Every time I tried to adjust, I ended up brushing against him—shoulder, hip, thigh. His skin was cold and slick, and the contrast to the warmth flooding my own body made my breath hitch.
Oh no.
This was not good for my self-control.
"Sienna," he whispered, voice low and rough, "you're burning up." He leaned closer. "I like your warmth."
A small sound escaped me—a mix between a gasp and a tiny, embarrassing whimper. I bit my lip hard.
"Rocco, not now," I hissed under my breath. "The kids—"
He slid one hand gently over my mouth to quiet me, the other resting at my waist, fingers splayed over my side. It wasn't indecent, but it still sent sparks up my spine.
If he wants to play… then I'll play.
I wrapped my fingers around his wrist and pulled his hand away from my mouth. Then, gathering every ounce of courage, I forced myself to turn in the tight space so I was facing him.
He was right there.
Those storm-gray eyes watched me, his expression dark and amused. I noticed the strong line of his neck, the sharp angle of his jaw, the faint parting of his lips. He was absolutely enjoying this.
Wrong move, King of Mariner's Bay.
I shifted deliberately, sliding down just enough to squeeze past him. The friction of our bodies in the cramped space made him inhale sharply.
A low grunt escaped him as I wriggled free.
Before he could react, I slipped out of the coral and straight into the open.
"Found you, Ms. Sienna!" Pietri shouted, eyes shining as he tagged me.
"You got me!" I laughed, walking toward him.
I glanced back to see Rocco still wedged inside the coral, half-stuck, looking like someone who'd just lost a game he didn't know he was playing.
I gave him a satisfied little smile.
Maybe that would teach him not to underestimate a librarian.
⸻
After hide-and-seek, I gathered the kids and we spent time simply looking at their world. I pointed out how the light danced through the water, how shells formed patterns on the sand, how even tiny crabs played their part in the kingdom.
"Treasure isn't just gold and gems," I told them. "Sometimes, the most precious things are the ones you often ignore."
At the end of the day, I sat them all in a circle.
"Tonight," I said, "I'm going to tell you a story about shooting stars and wishes."
Their eyes widened.
I told them how, in my world, people looked up at the night sky and made wishes when they saw a streak of light cross the darkness—a star that appears and disappears in a blink, but long enough to carry a hope.
"If you saw a shooting star," I asked softly, "what would you wish for?"
Sari was the first to answer. "I want to see my parents. Even just for a little while," she said, voice trembling.
The others nodded.
"Me too."
"I want my mom."
"I want my dad."
Soon, all of them were crying, small shoulders shaking with longing.
My heart shattered.
"Oh no… don't cry," I said, pulling them closer. "I know you miss them. So much."
They sniffled and clung to me.
"How about this," I said gently. "I'll ask the King to help. He's my… good friend." (Kind of. Sort of. Ish.) "Maybe he'll grant your wish and let your parents come visit, even for a little while."
Their tears slowed. Hope flickered in their eyes.
"And if he does," I added, getting carried away, "we'll prepare something special for him in return."
"What gift, Ms. Sienna?" they asked eagerly.
"A song," I said. "A special song just for him. All of you have such beautiful voices—we'll sing together."
They cheered at the idea. I started teaching them simple rhymes and melodies; their voices blended in soft, sweet harmony. Listening to them, I felt like I was inside a scene from The Little Mermaid, their songs echoing through the water.
By the time I returned to the palace, I was exhausted but content.
Theo perked up the moment he saw me. "I'm so bored here," he pouted. "Did that king make you work again, Sienna?"
"He didn't make me," I chuckled. "I chose to."
He crossed his arms. "Just wait until the most powerful king finds us. Then we'll see who's boss."
I forced a smile.
Would Gideon really find us here? It had been so long since I'd seen him. I wondered if he was even looking for me… or just Theo. Maybe he was mad—after what happened with Sasha and the Oracle, after nearly burning parts of Juno.
I sighed.
Rocco walked in then—but didn't even glance at me. He strode past like I was invisible.
So he was still mad about the coral incident.
Unfortunately, I needed to talk to him. The kids' wishes weighed heavily in my chest. So I followed him.
I found him sitting by a sea moss canopy near the lagoon, one arm draped over a bent knee, gaze distant.
"Rocco," I called softly. "Can we talk?"
"About what?" he asked, his tone cool.
I knew he'd refuse if I just asked outright. But now that I knew his weakness… I intended to use it.
I sat behind him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders from the back, resting my cheek lightly against him. My fingers traced slowly along the lines of his broad shoulders and down his chest, mapping the shape of him.
"About a wish I promised the kids you'd grant," I murmured, my voice soft, almost teasing. "You'll do it for me… right?"
I shifted closer, letting my warmth press into his cool skin. My cheek brushed his, my breath grazing his ear.
He let out a low, involuntary sound—half sigh, half groan. His body tensed, then melted again under my touch.
He nodded.
I smiled, victorious and guilty all at once.
"Thank you," I whispered.
I pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, feeling him go completely still, then breathless, as if I'd knocked the wind out of him.
By the time I pulled away and walked back toward the palace, my heart was pounding.
It wasn't right to use his feelings this way.
But if it meant giving those children even one moment with their parents…
Then so be it.