Heir of the Tide

Copyright Copyright © 2023 by Louise Shepardwww.louiseshepard.com Cover Art & Design: Bewitching Book Covers by Rebecca Frankwww.rebeccafrank.design/ All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Contents 1. Chapter 1 NIA 2. Chapter 2 KYAN 3. Chapter 3 NIA 4. Chapter 4 KYAN 5. Chapter 5 NIA 6. Chapter 6 KYAN 7. Chapter 7 KYAN 8. Chapter 8 NIA 9. Chapter 9 NIA 10. Chapter 10 KYAN 11. Chapter 11 NIA 12. Chapter 12 NIA 13. Chapter 13 KYAN 14. Chapter 14 NIA 15. Chapter 15 NIA 16. Chapter 16 KYAN 17. Chapter 17 NIA 18. Chapter 18 KYAN 19. Chapter 19 NIA 20. Chapter 20 NIA 21. Chapter 21 NIA 22. Chapter 22 KYAN 23. Chapter 23 KYAN 24. Chapter 24 NIA 25. Chapter 25 NIA 26. Chapter 26 NIA 27. Chapter 27 KYAN 28. Chapter 28 NIA 29. Chapter 29 KYAN 30. Chapter 30 NIA 31. Chapter 31 NIA 32. Chapter 32 KYAN 33. Epilogue NIA Books by Louise Shepard VILLAINOUS HEIRSHeir of the TideHeir of Never Sign up for Louise's newsletter to be among the first to know about new releases! CONTENT WARNINGS Readers should be aware of the following potentially sensitive subjects included in Heir of the Tide: Blood/violence Abusive parent Shark attack Body dysmorphia(The main character has an internal struggle with her sense of self and feeling out of place in her body. This is not related to her gender or insecurity about her appearance, but about having legs instead of a tail. The way it is written could could potentially be upsetting to readers who are sensitive to issues surrounding body dysmorphia/gender dysphoria.) Chapter 1 NIA On land, people call me the Lost Princess. They tell a haunting tale, one of a girl who was stolen away by the sea and a queen who has spent the last five years mourning the loss of her only daughter. I have been claimed by the waves—that much is true enough. But I am not lost. In the underwater city of Caspia, I've found a home among the merfolk. The ocean led me here, and I've never regretted following its call. Here, I'm no longer a princess trapped by my duties; I'm the mermaid I was always born to be and part of a family I never knew I had. I'm home. I spend most evenings with my cousin, Princess Delphina, and tonight will be no different. I've just made it back to my private bedchamber to change out of my armor when she appears in my doorway. "Just a minute, Del," I call over my shoulder. "I was thinking we could go to Neptune's Nook tonight. That merman you've been talking to said he'd be going there tonight, and I know you—" "Nia." Del's soft voice cuts me off, and I spin around to look at her properly. Her long tail flicks back and forth anxiously, and judging by the way she's looking anywhere but at me, sneaking off with a sexy merman is the last thing on her mind. "What's wrong?" I ask, swimming over to take her hand in mine. "My mother wants you to join her in the Hall of the Merthrone immediately. She says it's urgent." My mind races through reasons my aunt would summon me so soon after my patrol ended, and none of them are good. I summon my trident, gripping it tight as the ocean forms it in my hand. I don't know if I'll need my weapon, but calling it is instinct at this point. Del lets out a tiny squeaking noise, and I follow her attention to the window, where a shark fills the frame. His wary black eyes dart back and forth as he searches every corner of my bedchamber for danger. Is something wrong, Lady Nia? My shark companion's rough voice fills my mind through our link. I felt your distress. I lower my hand, signaling for Tadros to stand down. I don't know yet. While most merfolk are magically bound to creatures like fish or crabs, I somehow ended up with a shark for my familiar. At about half the size of a normal great white, Tadros is smaller and less intimidating than most, but he's still a shark. He tends to make other merfolk nervous. Especially Del. I can scare off Princess Delphina if she's bothering you. He flashes me his rows of terrifyingly sharp teeth in his best imitation of a smile. I shoot my companion an exasperated look. That won't be necessary. Del drifts further away from Tadros, the pink and blue scales on her tail flashing as she flits it from side to side. "What's he saying?" "Nothing. He just wants to know what's going on. What does Queen Adra want?" Del looks away and crosses her arms over her chest. "I'm sure it's not a big deal." "Right, I'm sure she'd summon me to the throne room for something that's not a big deal." "Well, you should probably get down there quickly and find out what it is." Del has been my closest friend since I arrived in Caspia. I hate seeing her so distant and unwilling to confide in me. I try to think of anything I might have done to offend her—or her mother—but nothing comes to mind. With a sigh, I release my magical weapon for the moment and gesture for Tadros to relax. He continues to circle just outside my window, keeping his gaze fixed on Del to taunt her. She ducks behind a pillar, and I can feel his delight. You don't have to harass her like that, you know, I say. My familiar's chuckle fills my mind. It is too much fun not to. Her reactions are amusing. Stop it. Tadros sighs. I obviously do not intend to hurt her. I do not understand why she fears me so much. Probably has something