“Don’t leave me,” Zale says, trying to keep the tremor from his voice. “That human man isn’t worth throwing your whole life away.”

Isn’t worth throwing Zale away. He doesn’t understand why you always choose other people over him. He would never do that to you; you’re too special, too precious. Atlantis is much safer than the human world. You belong with other merfolk, not some human named Lance.

You should be with him, like you’ve always been. Zale’s been loyal to you since childhood.