Mermaid Kailani never thought she’d long for the days when bullies and warmongers were her biggest problem. She’s determined to outwit the aristocrats who claim her lack of a magical Voice makes her unworthy to rule, but when she saves a human in tribute to her deceased mother, she finds herself an unwilling pawn in a political power grab. Blackmailed by her aunt into killing the prince she saved or forfeiting her throne, she must call on her questionable acting skills to gain access to the prince as the pious princess he was recently promised to.

Human Jonah is NOT marrying a stranger, even to prevent his island’s invasion and an alliance with his greatest enemy. When his attempt to escape his fate ends with almost drowning, followed by his judgmental fiancé showing up, he’s determined to prove he can get rid of her and protect his people without sacrificing his own happiness.

As Kailani and Jonah try to outmaneuver each other, Jonah recognizes that Kailani might be the partner he wants, and Kailani realizes she’ll do whatever it takes to keep Jonah safe. But as Kailani's time as a human ticks down, shocking secrets about her Voice, her mother’s death, and her aunt’s involvement with the human world come to light, jeopardizing Kailani’s new plan to end the human-merfolk conflict and go home. And when her aunt loses patience and comes after Jonah herself, Kailani faces an impossible choice: claim her magic and her throne or save the boy she’s come to love.