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his eyes caught hers and his gill flaps stopped moving.
    Caught you red finned, Tatiana thought with a smirk.
    She swam full force, determined to discover if he did in fact try to steal her from the palace, when she noticed newly placed golden bracers emblazoned with the Natatorian insignia on his arms. His jaw tightened as his eyes met hers, piercing into her. And instead of fear, his gaze lay thick with the secret and a hint of smolder.
    He rose from his seat and tipped his head. “Princess.”
    Her heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing. After her assault on him, she couldn’t believe he’d look at her like that, not to mention she was promised. Even still, she couldn’t collect herself. She looked away and smoothed down the tulle wisps of her gemmed promising dress, embarrassed she still had it on. Confusion clouded her mind, one for her reaction to him, but also in lack of proof. Without a bite mark, she couldn’t be sure if he was the one.
    “Princess. I’m glad to see you’ve met Jacob.”
    Her insides jumped at Blanchard’s voice. She swallowed hard. Jacob remained stoic, eyes now cast downward.
    “Not formally, but then again I have no idea who any of these men are that are occupying my living room. Don’t the barracks have a hall for them to commune in? They’re stinking up the place.”
    “Of course, milady.” Blanchard straightened himself. “In light of the recent attack, we’re fitting those chosen with armor so they’re prepared to serve the kingdom at a moment’s notice. That frees the Dradux so they can directly serve the King. Though I know they’re annoying to you, the guards are here to keep watch over the prisoners.”
    She wanted to roll her eyes and laugh at the absurdity of his statement. Like she needed protection from the rebels. The Dradux, on the other hand, she most definitely didn’t want to be alone with. The ones who allowed parasites to latch onto their tongues and occupy their mouths—she shivered at the thought.
    She returned her attention to Jacob, the sneaky little  anemone fish . He’d slid right into the compound undetected. What are you up to, Jacob? Little did Azor know before fitting him with armor, he’d ditched the black rebel robes and bandaged his arm just in time. If only she could take one peek under that sliver of gold to make sure.
    Blanchard cleared his throat, gaining Tatiana’s attention. “And in light of your abduction, you’re being assigned a personal bodyguard as well. Jacob will personally make sure you’re safe until the threat is over.”
    She turned to Blanchard, aghast and practically laughed. Was he kidding? “Threat? What threat?”
    “I heard a rebel abducted you, correct?”
    She squinted in disbelief and chuckled, eyeing Jacob for a response. Technically, rebels were on her side. The irony was, they assigned the very rebel who had abducted her—she couldn’t believe her ears.
    “I really don’t think that will be necessary.”
    “Yes, it is, Princess. With everything that’s happened, it’s hard to know who to trust.”
    Her lips pressed into a line unappreciative of Blanchard’s subtle implication that she was a rebel as well. Her father had defended her honor; that was the truth. She wanted to shout their innocence across the hall so everyone would hear, especially the guards who continued to glare at her.
    “Fish sticks!” she said. “No one is going to bother me. I don’t need a bodyguard. I have Azor.”
    Blanchard’s face hardened. “Prince Azor will not be able to provide round the clock protection.”
    “And poor Jacob must have a family or something.” She glanced at his finger for a promise tattoo, finding nothing. “This is silly. With all the guards here at the house…”
    “I’m only following the Prince’s instructions. You’ll need to take it up with him if you disagree.”
    She clenched her jaw, refraining from arguing further. Oh, you bet I will , she thought.
    Blanchard bowed before