Also by Stacy Claflin

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  Girl in Trouble

  Turn Back Time

  Little Lies

  Against All Odds

  Don't Forget me

  Tainted Love

  Take On Me

  Danger Zone

  Lady in Red

  Bayside Hunters

  Bayside Opposites

  Curse of the Moon

  Lost Wolf

  Chosen Wolf

  Hunted Wolf

  Broken Wolf

  Cursed Wolf

  Secret Jaguar

  Curse of the Moon Box Set

  Dark Sea Academy

  Mermaid's Song

  Mermaid's Heart

  Fall Into Romance

  Lost in Romance

  Gone

  Gone

  Held

  Over

  The Gone Trilogy

  Dean's List

  Indigo Bay Second Chance Romances

  Sweet Complications

  Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series

  Sweet Dreams

  Sweet Reunion

  The Hunters

  Seaside Surprises

  Seaside Heartbeats

  Seaside Dances

  Seaside Kisses

  Seaside Christmas

  Bayside Wishes

  Bayside Evenings

  Bayside Promises

  Bayside Destinies

  Bayside Mistletoe

  The Hunters: A Collection

  The Transformed

  Deception

  Betrayal

  Forgotten

  Ascension

  Duplicity

  Sacrifice

  Destroyed

  Transcend

  Entangled

  Dauntless

  Obscured

  Partition

  Fallen (The Transformed Prequel)

  Silent Bite: A Transformed Christmas

  Hidden Intentions

  Saved by a Vampire

  Sweet Desire

  Valhalla's Curse

  Renegade Valkyrie

  Pursued Valkyrie

  Silenced Valkyrie

  Vengeful Valkyrie

  Unleashed Valkyrie

  Wildflower Romance

  When Tomorrow Starts Without me

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  Alex Mercer Thrillers Box Set 1-3

  Gone Saga Standalones

  Watch for more at Stacy Claflin’s site.

  Mermaid's Heart

  Stacy Claflin

  MERMAID’S HEART

  DARK SEA ACADEMY - BOOK TWO

  by Stacy Claflin

  http://www.stacyclaflin.com

  * * *

  Copyright ©2019 Stacy Claflin. All rights reserved.

  ©Cover Design: Rebecca Frank

  Edited by Staci Troilo

  * * *

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental or used fictitiously. The author has taken great liberties with locales including the creation of fictional towns.

  * * *

  Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited. Do not upload or distribute anywhere.

  * * *

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

  * * *

  Receive free books from the author:

  http://stacyclaflin.com/newsletter

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Other Books by Stacy Claflin

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  I stare at the empty doorway where my mom just left. Forever. I’ll never see her or anyone or anything on land again. I almost can’t believe I chose Valora. But I didn’t choose the underwater kingdom, and I definitely didn’t choose my two-timing dad.

  King or not, allowed as many wives as he wants or not, he still betrayed her. And I’m staying here with him.

  No, I picked Bash and Halen. My destiny. The destiny that left me with pinkish-purple hair and whispers of a legendary Queen Sirena brought back to life. I don’t believe in reincarnation or any of that, but I can’t ignore the fact that she was said to have had her hair color changed by her trident. Just like me.

  Halen rests her arm on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  I just shake my head. I’m anything but okay. When my parents first dragged me back here, I couldn’t wait to leave. My plan had been to sneak back to land at the first opportunity. Now here I am, having turned down a perfectly good opportunity.

  “We should get back to the academy.”

  Bash appears next to her. “I can’t believe they did that!”

  I glance over at my dad and Mrs. Middlebrooks—who really isn’t a Mrs. at all. She’s not married, but widowed. And now engaged. To my father. The dean of mermaids at my school will soon be my stepmother.

  Is there time to chase after my heartbroken mom? How can I let her go back and face this on her own?

  “Excuse me.” I pull away from my best friend and my boyfriend and swim in the direction my mom went. The castle is like a maze of hallways, but having spent my early childhood here, I instinctively know the path my mom took.

  I race as fast as I can toward her. Finally see her. “Mom!”

  She whips around, her eyes red. “Marra! What are you doing?”

  “Are you going to be okay?” I wrap my arms around her.

  Mom squeezes me tightly and sniffles. “Yes. I’ll get through this, but I’m selling our house. That’s the first thing I’m doing. I can’t live anywhere I shared a life with him.” She glances toward the banquet hall where Dad is likely still sitting on the throne with Mrs. Middlebrooks.

  “Are you okay with me staying? It’s not because of Dad.” I play with a lock of my long pink hair. “Everyone says I’m following the same path as Queen Sirena.”

  Mom kisses my cheek and wipes her eyes. “No doubt you are.” Her voice wobbles. “Follow your path. I just wish I could be here to see it. But I know you’ll be amazing, no matter what you do.”

  Tears blur my vision, but quickly blend in with the water around us. “Will I ever see you again?”

  She looks away. Doesn’t answer my question.

  I sob. I’m at the age of wanting independence, but I don’t want to lose my mom. “There has to be another way! Can’t you stay in Valora? You could stay in the city. I’d visit you as much as you want.”

  “You’re making it hard to keep myself under control!” Mom sobs and leans against me. “I can’t be anywhere near your father. I gave my life to him, and now that’s over. At least I have a job I love up there. They begged me to stay, so I know I can go back to it. I’ll be happy, so you won’t have to worry about me.”

  “Not worry? I hate this! How could he do this to you? To us?”

  “Your dad has always had his sights set on being king. Being the second son has been a thorn in his side for the entirety of his life.”

  “That doesn't excuse what he did!”

  She shakes her head and swallows. “No, it doesn’t.”

  I fold my arms, anger building in my chest. “It’s been a long time since a king has taken multiple wives. That archaic law should’ve been removed by now!”

  “Maybe you can do something about that.” She kisses my cheek and clears her throat. “I need to get going. I’ll be fine, honey, and so will you. We’re both strong women.”

  My lips tremble. “I’ll really never see you again?”

  She takes a deep breath and looks away. “I can’t see that happening, sweetie. I’m sorry. Always remember how much I love you. You’re meant to be down here.”

  “And you’re not?”

  “I’ve been banished.”

  “It’s not fair.” I wipe my eyes. “I should go with you.”

  “You belong here.” She holds my gaze and plays with a lock of my hair. “You’re not only heir to the throne, but you need to figure out what this is all about. And besides, you’ve found love. You don’t want to walk—or should I say swim—away from that. Trust me, you’ll regret that for the rest of your life. You’ll always wonder what could’ve been.”

  “Aren’t you doing exactly that?”

  She shakes her head and smiles wistfully. “No. If what your dad and I had was lo
ve, we wouldn’t be in this position. Also, we had twenty years together. There’s nothing to wonder about.”

  “But—”

  “Really, I have to leave. I love you, sweetie.” Mom kisses me, then she hurries away. The sound of her sobs carries back to me.

  I start to chase after her, but someone stops me. Bash pulls me close and wraps his arms around me. Runs his fingers through my hair and whispers, “It’ll be okay.”

  I lean against him and let him comfort me. “I hate this.”

  “Your dad sucks.”

  I don’t disagree. He rubs his hands up and down my back. His touch on my skin sends a shiver down my spine.

  Halen races over. “There you two are! What happened?”

  “She needed to talk to her mom one last time,” Bash says.

  “Were you eavesdropping?” I ask.

  He gives me a crooked smile. “Guess we’re even now.”

  I lean my head against his and close my eyes, the reality of the situation sinking in. I’m never going to see my mom again. A girl needs her mom. I look back at Bash. “How have you survived so long without your parents?”

  He frowns. “It hasn’t been easy, but I have my band. They’ve been there for me through thick and thin. Now I have you, and …” His voice trails off as he looks deep in thought. “It’s like I said in the song I wrote for you—it’s so much easier to come up with the right words when I’m putting them to music. It just—”

  I press my lips on his and kiss him deeply, losing myself and forgetting my heartache for a few moments.

  “Someone’s coming!” Halen nudges me.

  Bash and I pull apart. Voices sound down the hallway. I’d know those anywhere—Dad and his new fiancée. I throw up a little in my mouth thinking of her that way. Halen grabs my arm and yanks me down a corridor. Bash quickly follows.

  “I thought I heard voices down here,” Mrs. Middlebrooks says. Her voice grates on me. Has it always been so nasally? Or is it just because she basically banished my mom to land?

  Halen puts a finger to her lips, as if I’d say anything and risk having to talk to those two.

  “They must’ve gone back to the academy,” Dad says.

  “I’m sure they did.” Now Mrs. Middlebrooks’s voice sounds sultry. I picture her leaning against my dad, rubbing her palms over his beard. I close my eyes, but can’t get the image out of my head. “I don’t have to be at my office until morning. That leaves us with the night to ourselves.”

  Now I throw up a lot in my mouth. Without thinking, I race down the hallway until I find a bathroom.

  Halen joins me and grimaces. “Can you believe them?”

  I rinse out my mouth. “My dad can’t get enough of ruining my life.”

  She digs into her purse. “Have a mint.”

  “Thanks.” I take it and we head back into the hallway.

  “You okay?” Bash asks.

  “As much as I possibly can be.”

  Halen gives me a hug.

  Bash glances down the corridor. “They left. I won’t tell you what they said their plans are.”

  My stomach lurches. “Thank you. I really don’t need a visual. Let’s get back to the academy. The last place I want to be is here.”

  He does that eye thing that always turns me into a puddle. “I have a better idea.”

  “What?” I’m not sure the question actually made it to my mouth.

  “You’ll see.” He gives me a sexy-as-Hades smirk and takes my hand.

  Chapter 2

  I hesitate at the doorway of the dim bar. Laughter, pool balls colliding, and a gritty love song sound from inside. I can smell the alcohol from here.

  Bash turns to me. “What’s the matter?”

  I remind myself there aren’t any age limits on drinking under the ocean and try to smile at him. “Just thinking about how different things are here.”

  He waves to the bartender—a guy with one eye and a black bandanna over his long hair. Then Bash leads Halen and me to a booth with a view of the karaoke stage. The woman singing her heart out is slightly off-key but not bad.

  Once Halen and I are sitting, Bash nods to the bartender. “I’m going to order for us.”

  “We can pick out our own food.” Halen tilts her head and lifts a brow.

  He gives half a grin. “Trust me on this.”

  She shrugs. “You payin’?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Order away.” She turns to me. “You should totally sing. Put that poor girl out of her misery.”

  “She’s not that bad.”

  Then the singer hits such a high note it makes the mic squeal, and half the people groan or cover their ears.

  Halen gives me a knowing look. “See? You and Bash sing so much better.”

  I shrug. “I’m not really in the mood.”

  “That’s the point. Singing will help you feel better. I’ve seen you when you sing, and it changes you. It’s like you’re in your element. Right where you belong.”

  I can’t deny that, but I also don’t want to sing. Don’t want to feel better. I’m allowed some wallow time, which is why Bash brought us here. I hope he doesn’t want us to sing.

  He slides into the booth and puts an arm around me as he sets three bottles on the table. “The best meal of your life will be here shortly. You’re welcome.”

  “We didn’t thank you yet,” Halen says.

  “You will.” Bash grins.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “Just wait. It won’t be long.”

  The mic squeals.

  Halen grimaces and turns to Bash. “Someone needs to take that girl off the stage.”

  “She’s a lot better than the merwoman who sang last time I was here.” He shudders. “My eardrums are still recovering.”

  Halen clears her throat. “I was referring to you two. Drag Marra up there.”

  I shake my head. “No. I’m here to wallow.”

  “And wallow you will.” He nudges one of the bottles in front of me. “Try this.”

  “What is it?” I can’t shake the feeling that I’m doing something illegal, even though I’m not. Once you’re old enough for academy, you’re old enough for booze around here—not that it’s allowed at the academies.

  “I said try it.” His eyes shine with delight at driving me crazy.

  “Fine.” I take it and have a tiny sip.

  He sighs dramatically. “Seriously? That’s how you drink?”

  I glance at Halen for some support.

  She grabs hers and guzzles a bunch before setting it down. “That, my friend, is how it’s done.”

  “I’m basically an alcohol virgin, okay? It isn’t allowed on the surface until you’re twenty-one.”

  “Really?” Bash makes a disgusted face.

  “Yep.” I tap the bottle.

  “And kids don’t drink anyway?”

  “I don’t. I mean, my parents have allowed me some sips of wine at home. No big deal, but being in a bar … it just feels like I’m doing something wrong. Like I could get kicked out at any moment.”

  Bash nods. “Good. After what your dad pulled, you deserve some rebelling. Drink up!”

  Halen raises hers. “Drink up!”

  The image of my dad announcing his engagement at the banquet without first telling me or Mom runs through my head. Then I see my mom racing out of the castle. Dad’s image seems to darken, like I’m seeing him for what he really is finally—a power-hungry dictator. Selfish and greedy.

  Maybe all the rumors about him actually hold some truth. The hatred for him could have some merit. Perhaps more than just some.

  I bring the bottle to my mouth and let the bitter, fizzy drink fill my mouth. Then I swallow and a warmth spreads through me. Suddenly, things don’t seem so bad. Sure, my dad’s still a jerk and he’s fooling around with my dean, but who cares? I have Bash and Halen. My hair is a gorgeous color, and I won’t have to go to a hairdresser to keep it up. I’m following in the path of a legendary queen, one previously thought to be mythological. And I can sing like a siren.