The Sea Prince

by Brenna Zinn

  "Once again, your words lie.” He sat beside her and stroked her leg. “What troubles you?"

  Where should she start? She only had one hour left with him before she made her most important decision ever, and telling him what troubled her would take a whole week.

  She gazed out to the beach. The moon had just risen, its bright glow bathed everything in sight with its otherworldly sheen. The waters from the Caribbean rolled and crashed against dry land.

  Except for Kronnos, the scene was nearly the same as the night before. But what a difference having Kronnos with her made. Last night she had just been rejected by her gay fiancé and felt as though the world was caving in. This evening she sat, confused but excited, next to a man who quickly wooed her, made love to her all day and wanted to make her his lifemate.

  If she only had more time. If only she wasn't deathly afraid of the water.

  She looked back at her merman. His sensitive dark eyes—poet's eyes—reflected hers. If it were possible to dive into the pools of another's eyes, his were the ones she would be willing to try. “Kronnos, I'm crazy about you. I really am. And I think, over time, I could love you.” She stopped, unsure of her next words.

  He cupped her face and brushed his finger over her damp cheek. “I love you, Shelly."

  She froze. His statement caught her completely off guard. “How can you be so sure? You just met me. Believe me, there's lots to me you don't even know about yet. Things that will turn your hair white."

  "I trust in destiny, and I know what is in my heart.” He lowered his touch and smoothed the soft pad of his thumb over her lips. “The moment I saw you my dreams were realized. I knew you were the one, my lifemate."

  Shelly leaned into his grasp, allowing his strength to support her. More tears welled and spilled over.

  He pulled her to him and held her in his arms. “Do not cry, my lovely one. All will work out the way it was meant to be. You must believe."

  "I don't think I can,” she blubbered.

  "Then you must stay.” He ran his fingers over her hair.

  "And return to Boston so I can work at my exciting job in the public library and search for the man of my dreams?” She hugged Kronnos, squeezing him with all her might. “It's not fair. I already found him. He just happens to be a merman who lives in a palace in the middle of the flipping ocean."

  She wriggled free of his embrace and stood, gathering the ends of the sheet around her chest. As she walked to the edge of the patio's railing, the weight of the world bore down on her shoulders. Could she be any more miserable?

  "Let us use our time wisely. There are precious few minutes left before I change back and must return to the water.” He raised himself from the lounge and held out his hand. “Come to me, Shelly. Let me love you one last time."

  Shelly nodded and grabbed hold of his hand. Arm in arm they walked back to the bedroom, the room meant for honeymooners.

  Kronnos lifted her in his arms and with great care, lowered her onto the bed. He plucked a lock of her hair from the pillow, sliding his fingers down the strands until they fell to the cushion. “Such extraordinary color. Like the sunsets off of the island of Crete. Pure beauty."

  When he bent and placed his lips on hers, emotion, jagged and raw, stabbed at her heart. She couldn't actually let him go, could she?

  He removed the white cotton sheet covering her, tossing it to the floor, and then his towel. With hands on hips, he stood in silent observation as his gaze roamed over her nakedness.

  His concentration on her body was unnerving. “What are you doing? Come join me."

  "I don't want to forget how you look at this moment. You are more lovely, more radiant than any mermaid swimming in the seas. To know you are mine fills me with pride."

  Shelly grinned. “It obviously fills you with more than that."

  Kronnos’ penis hardened before her eyes. Erect, his cock nearly touched her chin from where he waited.

  Not wanting to miss this opportunity, she took his stiff rod into her hands, placing the tip in her mouth. She stroked his rigid shaft while cupping his balls and swirled her tongue over his full head.

  He placed his palms on the sides of her head, spreading his fingers through her hair. Very slowly, he rotated his hips, pumping his dick in and out. “You are magnificent. I love watching you suck me."

  A sharp ache rolled through Shelly's womb, and a rush of moisture flooded her pussy. Just hearing him talk about their sex turned her on.

  When his cock swelled and she detected the faint taste of his sweet cum, she detached her mouth. Repositioning herself on the bed, she turned her backside to him and placed her knees near the edge of the mattress. Her elbows sunk deep into the bed's padding.

  Though she couldn't see what he was doing, she could feel his hands grip the rounded curve of her ass. He slid hard dick back and forth between her drenched folds, teasing her while he lubricated himself.

  "Zeus, but you are wet.” He plunged his penis in deep, sheathing the entire shaft with her quaking pussy. “And tight,” he uttered on a moan.

  With slow pumps, he rocked, occasionally brushing his balls against her bottom. She reached around the mounds of pillows supporting her weight to the moist spot between her thighs. Running her fingers over the slick, sensitive folds, she located her clit. As the tempo of his thrusts increased, she applied more pressure to her tender nub.

  Poised on the brink of rapture, Shelly buried her face into the mattress and released a shuddering cry of pleasure. Kronnos joined her, filling her throbbing womb with hot cum.

  After a moment, he pulled out, and they both fell onto the crumpled remains of the bedding, breathing hard. He grabbed her hand and squeezed, sending shivers down to her belly. He didn't have to say a word. She knew. It was time.

  The unanswered question still loomed before her like a giant black hole. Would she stay or would she go?

  * * * *

  Naked, her heart pounding like a kettle drum in her chest, Shelly walked across the beach with Kronnos. Each step through the soft sand seemed to tug at her feet, weighing her down. Not that she cared. Getting to the edge of the ocean would only mean the time for her answer had come, and she still struggled with the decision.

  The choices were impossibly horrible.

  Live alone in Boston doing boring work, knowing she would pine for Kronnos every second of every day. Or literally take the plunge and chance killing herself to be with her amazing merman.

  When they reached the end of the beach, Kronnos paused. “Is this farewell, treasured one? Or do you have faith in me and my powers to protect you?"

  Resolve bolstering her like punch spiked with rum, Shelly sucked in a lungful of sweet floral air and gripped the Kronnos’ hand. “I want to go with you."

  Shelly stepped into the breaking surf until the waves licked and pulled at her calves. A spark of optimism flashed. Being in the water wasn't too bad. She could do this.

  Kronnos stayed at her side as she inched her way deeper into the rolling water. When the tide reached her hips, she gripped his hand so tight the blood stopped flowing to her fingers.

  A deep line of worry creased between his brows. He searched her eyes, apparently looking for reassurance she was all right.

  "So far, so good,” she lied.

  He frowned but nodded. “Stay here. I must make my transformation."

  The moon's bright glow reflected off his broad, muscular back as he continued further into the ocean. The undulating water splashed and caressed his body like a familiar lover. Suddenly, a bright flash appeared beneath the surface of the dark Caribbean. In that instant, Kronnos's lower body morphed into a glistening tail.

  The last of her doubts about his being a merman were now gone. As incredible as his story was, it was all real.

  She clutched at the necklace. The coral's rough surface scraped against her palm. Despite the terror-induced adrenaline pumping through her veins, she had to believe. It was the only way to be with him.

&n
bsp; Kronnos turned in the water, bobbing and weaving through the tops of the waves. He placed his hands near his mouth. “I cannot move any closer.” His shout was a dull noise over the roar of the surf. “You must come to me.” Holding out his arms, his hands open, he added, “You are safe. Please trust me."

  Shelly moved into deeper black water. The current yanked at her limbs, attempting to knock her over. A sudden dip in the floor of the ocean caused her to lunge forward. The churning waves smacked against her torso.

  Her lungs contracted. She couldn't breath. The pressure of the surging tide compressed the muscles in her chest. She opened her lips and tried to scream but nothing came out. Instead, salt water slammed into her mouth. She coughed, trying to keep herself from choking.

  She didn't know what to do. She couldn't swim. She would die out here. What was she thinking?

  Shelly scrambled back toward the beach, but the strength of the water's resistance was hard to push through. The roiling Caribbean pulled at her legs. Each time she took a step the undertow dragged her back. Land appeared a million miles away. Impossible to reach.

  When she finally reached dry sand, her chest burned. The exertion of dragging herself from the water left her winded. The muscles in her legs and abdomen cramped. She threw herself onto the beach, sucking in fresh air.

  "Senora! Senora!"

  Too exhausted to raise herself up, Shelly turned her head toward the resort to locate the source of the shouts. Sand covered her wet skin and filled her mouth. A stocky Mexican man in shorts and an unbuttoned, yellow guayabera shirt ran from the closest villa down the beach.

  Shelly dropped her face back onto the gritty sand. An overwhelming sense of misery and fatigue blanketed her mind and body. She had failed. Her one chance at actually living her life and loving a fantastic man—merman—and she failed.

  The man intent on helping her came to a shaky, sand-flying stop and dropped to a knee at her side.

  "Senora? Are you all right?” He flattened a hand on her back and shook her. “Should I call for help?"

  She closed her eyes and moaned. “Let me die. My life is shit."

  "I saw you from my window. I thought you were drowning.” His thickly accented words came out in a rush. His breath smelled of tequila and lime juice.

  She felt something light drape over her backside. With tremendous effort she forced open an eyelid and saw a yellow linen sleeve near her nose. “What are you doing?"

  "I covered you with my shirt. I did not think you wanted me to see your nakedness."

  Her nakedness? Her groggy mind took a minute to process the word. Why was she naked?

  Kronnos!

  Using what was left of her drained energy, she shifted her weight and turned toward the ocean. The rolling waves were still there but no merman. She narrowed her eyes, scanning every inch of churning water.

  Kronnos was gone.

  * * * *

  Pushing back her living room curtains, Shelly looked out the small apartment window, taking in the view of the wet streets below. People ran from parked cars to stores and back again. Brightly colored umbrellas dotted the drizzly grey landscape.

  She wasn't interested in the gay colors bouncing and dancing across the sidewalks though. The black, rainy skies over Boston better matched her mood.

  If she couldn't be happy, why should anyone else? Let the fools in the rain ruin their nice new sport coats and leather briefcases. Her life was ruined.

  At least those folks could replace what they lost in the water. Picking out a new purse or jacket was easy. Finding a man to share a life with was a whole ‘nother ball game.

  A familiar lump formed in her throat, and Shelly fought the urge to cry.

  Not now. Not again.

  The promise made to herself two weeks ago on the plane ride back to Boston had to stand firm. The blubbering needed to end. She had a life to live, doggone it. All her positive self-talk in Mexico about making a change meant something. And moving forward was impossible until she ended the crying, stopped obsessing over her lost merman and started looking for someone new.

  A stabbing pain tore at her chest, and a tear formed at the corner of her eye.

  Kronnos.

  Shelly put down the spoon and tub of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. She rested her head against the cool glass of the window and let the waterworks flow.

  No sense in trying to fight it. There was no man on Earth who could take the place of her merman. Kronnos was the best thing to ever happen to her. Definitely the best lover she'd ever had. But what did she do after she found him? She let him swim away forever because she was afraid of the water.

  Dull pain shot through her as she pounded her head against the window. Unfortunately, the hurt paled in comparison to the ache in her heart. That was a forever kind of pain.

  Shelly closed the curtains and grabbed the ice cream and spoon, digging out a huge bite of sweet creaminess. What did it matter if she ate ice cream for breakfast and got as big as a barn? It wasn't like she would find another man of her dreams anyway.

  She plopped onto the sofa and pulled her legs up until her knees touched her chest. Laying aside the empty ice cream container, she dragged an afghan across her body, picked up the remote and channel surfed. Maybe Saturday morning television would get her mind off her sorrows.

  The television blinked to life, filling the tiny Harvard Square apartment with sound. Singing, actually. Ariel, the little mermaid, skimmed the surface of a beautiful lagoon on a boat with her Prince Charming. A crab and a chorus of frogs and turtles provided background music.

  Shelly frowned and changed the channel.

  Jacques Cousteau appeared, wearing his legendary red knit cap in a documentary about the eating habits of sharks.

  Click.

  A rerun of Flipper. The dolphin clicked and squealed, warning the idiot humans of the gas leak on the boat.

  Click.

  An old black and white movie popped up. Esther Williams as the Millionaire Mermaid dove into a sparkling pool through a ring of flowers. A slew of women in ill-fitting yellow bathing suits dove in the water, moving in one continuous line.

  Was the entire planet conspiring to make her as unhappy as she could possibly be?

  With the press of a button the television went black. Shelly dropped the remote to the floor and hugged her legs. The walls were closing in. She had to get out.

  On the street, Shelly contemplated her choices in direction to take. She felt for the coral around her neck, fingering its irregular shape. Left, toward the marina seemed like a good enough place to go. True, the bay would probably terrify her, but at least there she could be closer to her merman—wherever he was.

  She walked without an umbrella, allowing the cold rain to soak her hair and clothes. The cool damp was a welcome guest at her pity club. Membership only required a broken heart.

  As she neared the docks her mood lightened, and she picked up her pace. As though called by an unseen force, the ocean beckoned. Rather than creating fear, being near the water felt right, as right as being held in Kronnos's arms.

  By the time she could see the harboring boats, she was running. The wet wood of the walkway squeaked each time her tennis shoe hit a plank. When she reached the end of the pier, a sense of excitement washed over her. She knew what she had to do.

  Steeling herself by focusing only on a mental image of Kronnos's face, Shelly jumped into a small dinghy, keeping low in the tiny craft to not tip it over. After untying the boat from its shoring, she pushed off.

  Scared, but resolved to follow through with her plan, Shelly clasped tightly to the oars. She rowed to the middle of the harbor then continued on to open ocean. The non-stop rain beat down on her head and the surrounding water like small bullets. Her soaked clothing clung to her skin and wet locks of hair stuck to her face.

  Swells lifted and dropped the wood craft. The waves crashed on the dinghy's side, causing it to pitch and sway. Her heart raced. Her palms sweated. With the exception
of her attempt to follow Kronnos into the Caribbean, she had never felt so scared.

  Come to me.

  Shelly stopped rowing. She squinted and turned her head from right to left, looking as far as the limited visibility allowed. There was nothing out on the water.

  Her hands shook, and her stomach roiled. Was she hearing things or had she finally lost her mind?

  Come to me, my treasure.

  "Kronnos?” She gripped the sides of the rocking boat. “Kronnos, is that you?” Her voice was little more than a shaky shout.

  You must trust me.

  "I can hear you.” Bending her knees, she half stood in the boat, her shifting weight tipping the craft from side to side. “Where are you?"

  I am in the water. You must come to me.

  Impossible. How could she hear his voice when he was nowhere to be seen?

  Terror mixed with frustration. She was losing her mind. “Damn it, Kronnos. Don't do this to me.” Tears rolled down her face. The ties holding her emotions together came unraveled.

  The oars slipped off their metal housing and splashed into the water. Shelly dropped to her knees and leaned on the side of the dinghy. With her hands, she paddled as fast as she could, trying to chase down the oars. After several minutes she gave up. The writhing waters pulled them too far away.

  Trust in the amulet. Come to me.

  Tired and scared, Shelly sat in a pool of water in the middle of the boat, placing her head in her hands. She could hear Kronnos's voice in her mind. Was he here? Was she delusional?

  Please, Shelly. You must believe.

  The moment of truth was here. She would either find her merman, her lifemate, or die trying.

  On shaky legs she attempted to stand upright on the teetering dinghy. A wave broadsided the small craft, sending Shelly over the side.

  The ocean engulfed her.

  A rush of salt water filled her mouth as she tied to scream. With all her might she kicked her legs and paddled with her arms, trying to reach the ocean's surface but to no avail. The heavy weight of her drenched clothes pulled her down.

  After a final ferocious kick, her strength left her. Her lungs burned. She continued descending into the Atlantic's chilly waters. A sense of calm washed through her. So this is what it felt like to die.