Caspian let out a raw, shuddering breath. His striking, oceanic blue eyes welled up with thick, heavy tears that rapidly spilled over his lashes.

He closed the distance in three desperate strides. He threw his strong arms around Nerissa, burying his face into her shoulder, holding onto his mother as if he were a lost little boy instead of a fearsome Alpha King.

Nerissa softened entirely. She wrapped her graceful arms tightly around his broad back, one hand coming up to gently stroke his hair.

"Oh, what a sweet child," Nerissa cooed, her voice thick with emotion. She rested her cheek against his head, holding him fiercely. "You have grown so strong, my beautiful boy. So incredibly strong."

Nimue, the Princess of the Trenches, stood just a step away, a warm, watery smile on her own lips as she watched her brother reunite with their mother. The heavy, lingering scent of sea salt and crushed pearls completely flooded the entrance hall, mixing beautifully with the warm, spiced aromas drifting from Roxy’s kitchen.

After several long, highly emotional minutes of tearful pleasantries and heartfelt introductions, the freezing chill of the open doors prompted the family to move inward. The Merman guards were quartered in the guest wing, while the royal aquatic family was ushered directly into the warmth of the central parlor. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

The massive stone hearth blazed with life, casting dancing golden shadows across the plush fur rugs and heavy velvet furniture.

The seating arrangement naturally fell into a chaotic, beautiful portrait of their blended Vanguard family.

Roxy sat comfortably on the center of the massive sofa, cradling a peacefully sleeping Little Fedor against her chest. The Kitsune heir was entirely bundled in his emerald blankets, the red gemstone resting warmly against his side. Caspian sat incredibly close directly beside her, his thigh pressed reassuringly against hers, his eyes still slightly red-rimmed but shining with profound happiness.

Standing like a towering, impenetrable monolith directly behind their sofa was Zarek. The Dragon King had his massive arms crossed over his chest, his golden eyes scanning the room with calm, draconic vigilance, serving as the ultimate, immovable anchor for his Queen and his brother.

Across the low mahogany table, Torian lounged in a heavy armchair. The colossal White Tiger Alpha was currently occupied with Tyara; the energetic tiger cub was sitting between his massive boots, aggressively chewing and batting at a set of carved wooden building blocks. Right beside Torian, Kaelen sat perfectly upright on a loveseat, his long arms acting as a physical barricade to keep Axel and Onyx firmly in place, entirely preventing the hyperactive wolf twins from launching themselves at their new oceanic guests.

But it was the guests themselves who were currently being thoroughly charmed by the Iron-Wood pups.

Nerissa, the terrifying, absolute ruler of the deep oceans, was sitting gracefully on a plush armchair. Resting entirely comfortably in the Queen’s lap was little Iris. The sweet wolf pup had taken an immediate liking to the shimmering pearls and bioluminescent shells woven into the Abyssal Queen’s attire.

Iris was currently showing Nerissa a small, woven winter-flower, leaning against the ancient ruler’s chest as if she had known her for years. Nerissa, completely mesmerized by the furry, warm little land-dweller, stroked Iris’s dark hair with a look of absolute, maternal wonder.

Next to her, Nimue was holding Little Zale. The toddler possessed his father’s aquatic traits, and Nimue was entirely delighted by her nephew’s pale, webbed hands. She conjured tiny, floating bubbles of saltwater from her fingertips, and Zale clapped his hands, popping them with a bright, bubbly giggle that made the Princess’s eyes shine.

Once the children were settled, the atmosphere in the parlor slowly shifted, taking on a more respectful, somber tone.

Nerissa looked up from Iris, her depthless blue eyes locking directly onto Roxy. The Abyssal Queen offered a slow, profound nod of respect, honoring the transmigrated woman who held the entire continent together.

"Roxy," Nerissa began, her voice smooth and echoing with ancient authority. "I must offer my deepest, most sincere condolences. Caspian told me of your tragedy through the communication stone. I understand that the Trickster King has returned to the stars."

Roxy’s breath caught slightly, but she managed to offer a grateful, steady smile. "Thank you, Nerissa. It has been... it has been the darkest week of our lives. We have been through a lot, but we are surviving. He left us with Little Fedor, and we are holding on to that light."

Nerissa nodded slowly, her gaze sweeping over the fiercely protective Alphas guarding the room. "You have built an empire of love here, Roxy. The Trickster’s sacrifice will not be forgotten by the deeps."

"I appreciate that very much," Roxy said softly, shifting Fedor slightly in her arms. But her matriarchal instincts, honed by months of political maneuvering and cosmic wagers, nudged her forward. She looked at the oceanic royals with genuine curiosity. "But as much as I am thrilled to see you... the ocean is hundreds of miles away. What really brought you all the way up the mountain, Nerissa?"

A secretive, incredibly proud smile touched Nerissa’s lips.

"I came to deliver a message," Nerissa stated, reaching into the folds of her iridescent robes. "And a gift."

She produced a beautifully carved, flawless box made entirely of rare white coral. The box hummed with a latent, powerful abyssal magic.

Before Nimue could even step forward to take the box and deliver it, a small, incredibly fast blur of dark hair intercepted.

Axel, using his advanced wolf-pup reflexes, smoothly slipped right out from under Kaelen’s arm. The smart, fiercely helpful six-year-old trotted directly up to Nerissa. He carefully took the glowing coral box from the Abyssal Queen’s hands, offering her a respectful, toothy little bow. He then turned and trotted proudly over to the sofa, holding the box up with both hands.

"Here you go, Papa Caspian!" Axel announced, offering a soft, bright smile.

Caspian’s heart melted. The former Merman reached out, accepting the heavy coral box before reaching up to warmly ruffle Axel’s messy dark hair. "Thank you, my brave little pup. Excellent maneuvering."

Axel beamed, immediately running back to Kaelen’s side before the Northern King could scold him.

Caspian looked down at the white coral box resting in his lap. He ran his fingers over the intricate, swirling carvings of sea serpents and tidal waves. He looked up at his mother, his brow furrowing in deep confusion.

Nerissa folded her hands elegantly in her lap, her blue eyes shining with absolute, undeniable pride.

"The abyssal spires are in remarkably good hands, my son," Nerissa told him, her voice ringing clearly in the quiet parlor. "The trench is secure, the rogue leviathans have been quelled, and everywhere in our kingdom is finally, beautifully peaceful. Your judgment was flawless. You have a very good eye, Caspian. And there, in your hands, is your reward."

Caspian’s confusion only deepened. He had severed himself from the politics of the ocean. He didn’t understand what judgment she was referring to.

With trembling fingers, Caspian clicked open the heavy, pearl-inlaid latch. The lid of the coral box swung back, releasing a brilliant, blinding wave of pure, oceanic blue light that illuminated the entire parlor.

Resting on a bed of black velvet was a singular, massive, glowing teardrop made of pure, crystallized water-magic. It was a Heart of the Ocean—an ancient, mythic artifact that allowed terrestrial beings to breathe, swim, and thrive in the crushing depths without a tail.

Caspian’s aquatic eyes widened to the size of saucers. The breath completely left his lungs. He stared at the artifact, his transmigrated soul instantly recognizing the monumental implications of the magical item.

"I..." Caspian choked out, completely stunned. He looked up at Nerissa, his hands shaking as he held the box. "I could return to the sea whenever I want? I could visit the spires?"

Nerissa offered a slow, deeply affirming nod.

Caspian slowly rested his back against the cushions of the sofa, entirely overwhelmed. To be able to show Roxy the glowing trenches, to take Zale swimming in the deep currents, to visit his mother without sacrificing his legs—it was a miracle he had never even dared to dream of.

"But..." Caspian stammered, shaking his head. "Mother, why do I deserve this reward? I abandoned my post. I gave up the throne to walk on land. I left the kingdom without an heir. Why would the deeps grant me this?"

Nerissa smiled. It was a terrifying, beautiful, and completely triumphant smile.

"Because you didn’t leave us without an heir, my smart boy," Nerissa replied, her voice echoing with absolute oceanic authority. "A New King has been put on the throne."