by Rinelle Grey
No, it couldn’t be. She must just be fascinated with humans overall.
Right?
He wanted to ask her. He desperately wanted to believe she was as fascinated with him as he was with her, but he couldn’t really believe it. He was sure she had some other reason for her visits. And that fear kept him silent. He wanted to imagine, even for a little while, that it was him she’d come to see.
The prospect was far too alluring.
She was like no other woman he’d ever met. Not only was she gorgeous, but she was brave as well. She’d risked her life to save him, and he owed her for that if nothing else.
A thought occurred to him. “But surely, even if your father is afraid of discovery, he wouldn’t expect you to let me drown would he? Or be eaten by sharks?”
She still couldn’t meet his eyes, giving him his answer. Apparently the mermaids were even more afraid of humans than the dragons. And that fact meant her bravery was even greater.
Rowan couldn’t resist reaching out his hand and putting it on her shoulder. A zing of current seemed to pass through his fingers, arrowing straight to his heart where it set off a cadence. It must have affected her too, because her eyes snapped to his, wide and shocked.
Rowan wasn’t quite sure how long they stared at each other like that. It felt like hours, but it must have only been seconds. But in that time he felt like everything had changed, and he knew, without a doubt, his life would never be the same again.
He knew he’d do anything he could for her and not just because she’d saved his life.
This was what he’d been after his whole life. This sudden, breathtaking moment where he just knew in his soul he’d met someone special. Someone amazing.
And, of course, she happened to be a mermaid princess. Completely unattainable. Why wasn’t he surprised?
And yet, as he stared into her eyes, feeling like he was staring into her soul, he saw an answering longing, one that made him feel just a glimmer of hope.
But first he had to help her. He couldn’t let her get into trouble because she’d saved him. And he couldn’t let her lose her family and her future because of him. He’d seen that happen to his stepfather, Calrian, a dragon prince, and he knew how much it ate away at a person.
Calrian hadn’t had a choice. He’d been led to believe his entire clan was dead, but the mermaid princess had options. All they had to do was figure out a way to turn her legs back into a tail. To make her an unobtainable mermaid once again.
“Maybe they never have to know,” Rowan said firmly. “In all the stories about mermaids, their legs turn back into tails when they go back into the water. Why don’t we try that?”
The sharks were gone now, the school of fish being a more attractive prospect than the people who had retreated to land.
The woman stared at him. “You’ve heard about mermaids before? And about their tails turning into legs?”
“Well, yeah, there are lots of stories about mermaids,” Rowan tried to explain. “It never even occurred to me that they were real.”
It should have, really. His stepfather and his half-brothers and sister were dragons, so why had it never occurred to him to wonder if mermaids were real? And now that he knew they undoubtedly were, he couldn’t help being curious. What about fairies? Unicorns? And who knew what else.
The possibilities were endless, but none of them fascinated him as much as the woman right in front of him.
She was still looking at him with a disbelieving expression. “How have you heard about mermaid tails turning into legs when I haven’t?”
That was a very interesting question, and Rowan had no idea why she hadn’t heard similar stories. “Maybe your people have forgotten?” he suggested. “Or maybe they’re hiding that information for some reason.”
That answer seemed to stir something in her because she frowned. “Typical,” she huffed under her breath. Then she straightened her shoulders. “Well, let’s see if it works.”
She looked down at her legs and bent them experimentally. Rowan tried to keep his eyes below her knees, although they were enchanting enough. He’d never really paid any attention to legs before, but now the curve of her calves and the shape of her foot, even the perfect toenails, were all mesmerising.
She put her feet on the ground and tried to stand up, but all that happened was she straightened her legs again. She frowned, the expression somehow endearing. “I see this walking thing is harder than it looks. How do you do it?”
“Here, let me help you up.” Rowan jumped forwards and held out his hands.
When she put her hands in his, completely trusting, it set his heart fluttering. She looked so pale and delicate, as though she might break if he pulled too hard, so he tried to keep his movements smooth and gentle as he drew her to her feet.
“There you go.” He released her hands and stepped back.
The mermaid teetered, reaching out a hand towards him involuntarily as she pitched forwards.
Instinctively Rowan closed the distance between them, catching her in his arms and holding her steady. “Whoa. Careful. It might take you a while to get used to it.”
She didn’t weigh much more on land than she did in the water. But that didn’t mean her presence in his arms was unnoticeable. Her skin was cool and slid against his like silk, and her hair tickled his nose. Unsurprisingly, it smelled of the ocean, salty and fresh.
She tilted her head up towards him. “Thank you for catching me,” she said solemnly. “Do you mind taking me back to the water? I don’t know how you humans manage to balance when you’re so heavy. Anyway, it seems pointless learning to walk if I’m going to have my tail back soon.”
Was there a trace of regret in her voice, or was Rowan just imagining it because it was what his heart was feeling?
He couldn’t really argue with the logic of her statement, although he found himself wanting to. His mind thought up stupid, irrational arguments about walking being fun, and he swallowed them down.
He was being given this magical experience of holding a mermaid princess, and the reality was, it couldn’t last. She had responsibilities under the ocean and a family waiting for her. He didn’t want her to lose that, no matter how much he wanted her to stay.
He needed to have realistic expectations. Despite his dragon stepfather and siblings, Rowan’s life was staid and normal and definitely not magical. He might as well enjoy this experience as much as he could since it would be over shortly.
“Sure,” he said, scooping her up into his arms.
She put her arms around his neck and looked up at him with a smile. “This is much better than walking.”
He could hardly argue with that. He loved having her in his arms. It let him pretend, just for a few moments, it indicated the closeness he longed for. That maybe he was carrying her over the threshold on their wedding night. Anything other than just helping her get back to the sea.
Rowan walked the few steps to the water, then waded in up to his waist, and dipped her legs under the lapping waves.
Both of them watched her feet expectantly.
But nothing happened.
“It’s not working.” She stated the obvious.
“No,” Rowan agreed. “Maybe you need to be further in?” He bent down, dipping her full body in the water, releasing her from his arms, like returning a fish he’d caught to the ocean.
But she didn’t let go of his neck. Her legs kicked ineffectually in the water until she found the sand, then she half stood, half leaned on him in the waist deep water. “Do you think this is far enough?”
Since her tail still hadn’t returned, Rowan shook his head. “Clearly not. Maybe you need to be under the water.”
She looked at it dubiously. “I… uh… okay. I’ll try.” She gingerly lowered herself back into the water, her pink hair spreading out around her like a fan. Then her arms and legs kicked wildly.
Rowan grabbed her arms, and hauled her back up, and she stared at him, panting and gasping. �
�I couldn’t breathe.” Her voice had an edge of panic.
“Well, no, humans can’t breathe under water,” Rowan said.
“But mermaids can. And now I can’t. Does that mean I’m a human now? Oh no, what am I going to do? What if I’m stuck like this?” This time, the panic wasn’t a hint—it was full blown terror. She clutched at him, bringing her face right up close to his, her eyes wide.
Her fear caused an almost painful reaction in him. He desperately wanted to help her, to make everything better. “We’ll find a way to fix it,” he promised, trying to make his voice soothing.
It wasn’t enough. “You don’t get it, if I’m stuck like this, I can never go home. I can never see my family again. I… I… I never expected anything like this to happen. I don’t know what to do.”
Rowan couldn’t imagine never seeing his family again. The thought was awful. He wanted to comfort her, to fix it all for her, but if her returning to the water hadn’t helped, he didn’t even know what to try next.
But there was one thing he knew. “I’ll help you,” he promised. “Whatever happens, I’ll look after you until we can figure out how to get you home.”
Her eyes met his, and slowly the panic receded. “You’d do that? But you don’t even know my name. Why would you help me?” She tilted her head to one side, looking at him as though he was some sort of endangered animal.
Which perhaps he was. But Rowan didn’t care. He wanted to help her more than he’d wanted anything in a long time. Even if it meant helping her leave.
“Because you need help,” he said simply. “What’s your name?”
She considered him seriously for a moment, then nodded as though she’d made up her mind. “I’m Cari. What’s your name?”
“Cari? That’s a pretty name. I’m Rowan.” He smiled. “There, we know each other’s names. Now can I help you?”
Cari… Princess Cari, smiled at him. “I’d like that, Rowan,” she said, her voice soft and warm.
Rowan smiled back at her, his heart filling with excitement.
His family would never believe that out of all of them, he’d been the one to get close to the elusive mermaid.
Rowan didn’t quite believe it either.
Chapter 4
Cari knew she shouldn’t still be holding onto the handsome man. Her father would definitely disapprove of her telling him her name and smiling at him. And she most certainly shouldn’t be thinking that maybe being a human forever wouldn’t be so bad.
She felt a strange tingle in the space between her new legs, a much more pleasant feeling than her tail disappearing had caused. And as she stared up at Rowan, she couldn’t help thinking he was even better up close.
A few days ago she’d been obsessed, desperately wishing she could get closer to him, talk to him, be with him, but not game to do so. And now, here she was.
And never in her wildest dreams had she imagined he could be so wonderful.
Not only the way her body reacted to him was astonishing, though that was special enough, but so was the fact that he was so kind and generous. Even after she’d all but admitted that the mermaids of Laquaria would have left him to die if she weren’t around, he was still willing, eager even, to help her.
Humans had a lot more going for them than she’d ever been told.
“Um, we might have to put that on hold though, and think about moving,” Rowan said. “I’m pretty sure this sandbar is under water at high tide.”
That distracted her. Cari looked around. The small area of sand had definitely shrunk. “How are we going to get all the way back to your boat?” she asked in concern. Looking out across the lagoon to the boat, it seemed very small and distant.
Normally the swim would be nothing. She’d made it all the way to the surface with no effort at all. But somehow, she wasn’t convinced swimming would be as easy with human legs instead of fins and a tail.
For a moment, Rowan looked uncertain too, then he squared his shoulders. “We’ll swim,” he said firmly. “I made it all this way. You can make it back. And remember, I’m here to help you if you need it.”
His determination helped her push away her fears. Cari felt silly being relieved at a human offering to help her swim, but the reality was she might just need it. “Well, I guess it’s not like we have much choice since this sandbar is going to disappear soon. At least once we’re past the reef we shouldn’t have to worry about sharks.”
Rowan nodded. “Right, so the sooner we get there, the better.” He didn’t release her though.
It took a surprising amount of willpower for Cari to push back a little and swing those human legs under her, but she didn’t let go of him. No, she was far too doubtful of being able to balance on these strange, stumpy legs to do that. It had nothing to do with wanting to stay close to him. Nothing at all.
“That’s it. We can walk a little deeper, then you try swimming,” Rowan encouraged.
Cari bit back a nervous laugh. “Try swimming. I’ll have you know I’m a far better swimmer than you are.” She hoped the laugh hid the fact she wasn’t too sure of that fact at all right now. She was glad she wasn’t alone. Talking to Rowan helped distract her.
“Of course you are,” Rowan said soothingly. Cari suspected he’d seen right through her bluff, but he was too polite to admit it. It only made her appreciate him more. “Let’s give it a go,” he said.
Cari nodded and lowered herself into the water, testing the buoyancy. She was relieved to find she could float just as well as she always had. That was a good start. She moved to duck her head under the water and start swimming, but she freaked out before she could. “How do you manage to swim when you can’t breathe underwater?” she asked Rowan.
“Um, you hold your breath.” Rowan looked at her, not bothering to hide the concern in his eyes. “Maybe this isn’t such a great idea. Swimming, the human way anyway, isn’t really something you can learn in one lesson.”
“Well what are we going to do then?” Cari hoped her voice didn’t sound too much like a wail, but she was afraid it probably did. She was beginning to panic in a manner definitely not befitting a princess. In a little while this sandbar would be underwater, and she’d have no choice but to swim.
She’d been swimming since before she could talk, and she’d always taken it for granted. To suddenly not be sure she could was terrifying. Even more terrifying than having legs instead of fins.
Rowan put a hand on her shoulder, and some of the panic retreated. “We’ll sort it out,” he promised. “You wait here, and I’ll swim back to the boat and bring it closer. Then I’ll bring a lifeboat out to pick you up,” Rowan said as though the solution was simple.
Which it was.
Except for one thing. That meant Rowan would be swimming away from her and leaving her here all alone.
Objectively, Cari knew that she would be fine. But losing her tail had unsettled her so much she couldn’t help being afraid that maybe he’d swim back to his boat and then decide it was too much hassle to come back for her.
It was silly. Everything she’d seen him do indicated just the opposite. But the irrational fear wouldn’t be silenced by logic.
“What’s wrong?” Rowan asked, taking a step closer. “Are you okay?”
His proximity pushed some of the fear away. It was enough that she felt silly for even doubting him. “Nothing. I’m fine. I’ll just wait here while you go and get the boat.” She’d been doing so well, but her voice wavered on the last word as she thought of him leaving.
Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “Something’s bothering you. Why don’t you just tell me what?”
He stood there waiting. Cari couldn’t meet his eyes. Her fear seemed so silly. He’d just laugh at her.
Rowan took her chin in his hands and twisted her face up until she couldn’t avoid his eyes. “Tell me what it is,” he commanded.
And for some reason, Cari couldn’t help herself. “What if you don’t come back?”
Rowan released her chin and
stared at her in confusion for a moment. “Why wouldn’t I come back?”
He was right. It was a ridiculous fear. Cari turned away again. “I don’t know,” she muttered. “You’re right. Just… go. The sooner you leave the sooner you’ll be back.”
But Rowan didn’t move. When Cari finally worked up the nerve to look at him again, his expression was serious. “Cari, I’ve been out here every day for the last week, chasing you, even though I didn’t think I’d ever catch you. I’m most certainly not going to abandon you now.”
She could hear the truth in his words, and she knew she shouldn’t doubt it. She forced herself to nod and say, “Of course not. I’ll be fine.” Her voice didn’t even shake.
Rowan wasn’t fooled though. His eyes narrowed, and then he reached out and pulled a cord from around his neck and held it out to her. “Here, keep this. Even if you don’t believe I’ll be back for you, I’ll be back for this.”
Cari took the object and stared at it curiously. The cord was made of leather, narrow and worn, and it was twisted around a tooth of some sort. Cari didn’t recognise what sort of creature it was from, certainly not anything from the ocean.
“What is it?” she asked, curiosity making her forget her fear.
Rowan gave an easy smile. “It’s a dragon tooth. My stepfather gave it to me when he and my mother were mated when I was eleven. He wanted to help me feel brave, and to help me stand up to some bullies I was dealing with at school. But it did more than that. It made me feel like I was almost a dragon, as big and brave as he is. I’ve worn it every day since. Trust me. I’m not going to leave it behind.”
An image of a giant blue dragon cavorting in the sea filled her mind. Yes, she’d seen dragons before, right here near this island. It was one of the things that had drawn her to this spot in the first place. Why wasn’t she surprised that this man was associated with them?
His words comforted Cari even more than his promise had. Not because he was leaving something of personal value, even though she believed he was, but because he’d shared a very personal story with her. She nodded without hesitation this time.