Breathless: A Little Mermaid Retelling

by Megan Linski

  He laughed. “I’m not your average guy.”

  “Obviously.” She looked him up and down, and Adrian felt himself growing hot all over. “Well, I guess I’ll see you when I see you.”

  “It won’t be long,” he promised. “I’ll be back to see you soon.”

  “How will you find me?”

  “I’ll know.”

  The red and orange of the sunset was mixing into the blonde of her hair and making her tan skin glow. She ran the tip of her tongue over her lips lightly, and it made Adrian hungry. Her eyes became hooded as he took a step closer, and their bodies were touching again.

  “Isa…” he said, and he went to bend down. He lifted a hand to lay it upon the back of her hair, and his insides did backflips. Their noses were touching, and his lips were inches from hers...

  Isa pulled away at the last moment. “Uh, I’m… I’m sorry,” she finished lamely. She wouldn’t look at him, only down at the ground. “Do you need a ride?”

  He shook his head. He was so disappointed. “No. I’ll find my own way. Catch up with you later.”

  Isa nodded, then turned and ran up the beach like Adrian was chasing her. Adrian put his hands back in his pockets and shook his head.

  “Water,” he rasped. “I need to get back to the sea.”

  He couldn’t transform here, not in front of all these people. But Adrian knew he had to get back to the ocean, and fast.

  Adrian left that particular coastline and got back on the bus to be driven to his usual cove. When the bus pulled away from the ocean, Adrian clenched at his chest. The pain was so intense it felt like he was having a heart attack, and he struggled to breathe. It was like his insides were shriveling up on themselves.

  “Hey, buddy, you okay?” the driver asked as Adrian stumbled off the bus.

  Adrian didn’t answer. He proceeded downward, down the shoreline and to his cove. This time of day there was no one around, but Adrian worried it was too late. He could no longer breathe outside of water, and black dots coated his vision.

  He picked up the pace. The water was directly ahead, but that only made things worse and he ended up gasping. Adrian collapsed upon the line where the sea met the shore. His fingertips touched the ocean, and everything went dark.

  Adrian came to a few moments later. He was suspended in the deep, his tail was back, and Moona was looking closely at him in a way that signaled she was going to explode.

  Everything felt fine now, but Adrian knew if Moona hadn’t pulled him in, it wouldn’t have been. “Moona…”

  Moona took a deep breath and belted out her rage. “How. Could. You!? You know better than to stay out that long, but you did anyway! Then you left me to deal with questions from everyone on where you were! Do you realize how long it took for me to slip away, and how worried I was when I couldn’t find you? I thought some human had broiled and fried you by now!”

  “I’m sorry, Moona, okay? I couldn’t help myself,” he slung back at her. “I really don’t need a guilt trip from you right now!”

  “Don’t give me an attitude. I saved your life,” Moona snapped. “You would’ve suffocated onshore if it wasn't for me pulling you in.”

  He knew she was right.

  “Was it worth it, at least?” Moona snapped. “Did you find her?”

  Adrian nodded. “I did, Moona. The mating bond snapped into place. She’s mine, and I’m hers, at least, that’s what the sea is telling me.”

  Moona relaxed. Her anger was gone now, but it was switched to concern. “But… Adrian. She’s a human, and you’re a mermaid. How can you two be together?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know. That’s what I need to speak with my father about.”

  “What!” Moona’s eyes popped out of her head. “You can’t be serious. Poseidon isn’t going to allow this, Adrian. You know it.”

  “I have to try. The bond won’t let me pick any other girl. It’ll make me physically sick to be with anyone else. He won’t have any choice but to accept it,” Adrian insisted. “He’s the god of the sea. My father must have some sort of magic that can fix this.”

  Moona fiddled anxiously with her fins. “I know, Adrian. He probably has something, but using it on you? I don’t think he’ll change you or her, even if you beg.”

  “I have to try.” Adrian began swimming determinedly in the direction of Aquatica. “And who knows? Maybe he’ll go for it.”

  Moona muttered something under her breath, but Adrian didn’t hear her. As they swam back, Moona peppered him with pesky questions.

  “What is it exactly about her that you like so much? You barely know her,” Moona said.

  “I know, Moona.” Adrian looked at her. “But I just have my feeling in my gut about her that’s so powerful. It goes beyond the mating bond. The way she rode that wave… you could tell she was fearless, that she was willing to live life on the edge. She wants a life of freedom, of adventure. And I want that too.”

  “You know you can’t have that, Adrian. You’re a prince. You have responsibilities,” Moona said quietly.

  Moona didn’t understand. If she felt how he did, then she’d know.

  Adrian couldn’t help but feel nervous as he approached the palace’s large silver doors, but the need to declare Isa his mate was stronger. He swam into the throne room, where a collection of merpeople gave him harsh glares and a myriad of whispers. He wasn’t very popular as the prince who’d abandoned his own party.

  Poseidon was on the throne, but his mother was nowhere to be seen. Poseidon’s rage grew as Adrian swam closer, but now wasn’t the time for Adrian to lose his nerve.

  “Father, before you say anything,” Adrian said as the king opened his mouth, “Let it be known that I have officially found my mate.”

  Scattered claps were given throughout the court, although they were shocked and dispelled. Mermaids held their breath, waiting for Adrian’s answer, and the court hung on every word.

  The announcement that he’d found a mate was enough to dispel any irritation his father had stored for him. The grimace fell from the god’s face, and he brightened immediately. “Well, that’s wonderful news! Let’s hear it!” Poseidon pounded his trident against the floor.

  “I’d prefer to speak with you alone, Father,” Adrian said. “If that’s all right.”

  Suspicion crossed the king’s face. He supposed Adrian had chosen a commoner instead of someone from royal blood. This was much worse. “Very well. Clear the room,” Poseidon ordered, and merpeople reluctantly swam away. Mermaids cast glances over their shoulders, obviously hoping for good news for later.

  “All right, son, don’t hold your breath,” Poseidon encouraged. “Give me the name of the lucky mermaid, and we’ll get on with it.”

  Adrian took a deep breath. Here it goes. “Her name is Isamaria.”

  “Isamaria. Hm.” Poseidon leaned back on his throne and stroked his beard. “I don’t recall hearing that name before.”

  “That’s because she isn’t a mermaid. She’s a human.”

  Poseidon’s easy demeanor vanished. His face darkened, and shadow grew around him as the water swelled and bowed. “What did you say?”

  “You heard me.” Adrian refused to be intimidated. “She’s a human. And before you say anything, yes, I’ve met her. I know her. She’s the one.”

  Poseidon stared at his son for a moment or two, like he was trying to comprehend what he was seeing. He didn’t scream and rant as Adrian thought he would, and that scared him. Greatly.

  “I knew I allowed this obsession with humans to go on for too long,” Poseidon rampaged under his breath. “I figured it was a phase, a passing interest. I believed once you were older you’d put these childish notions to rest.”

  “It’s not a phase. I love her,” Adrian rebutted.

  “Love? What do you know of love, Adrian? How long have you known her, a few hours? Days, perhaps?” Poseidon challenged.

  “You only knew Mother a single night before you declared her your qu
een.”

  “Your mother is one of us! This girl is not!”

  Poseidon had finally hit his limit. He lunged from the throne and stood before his son. “How did you meet her, by chance? She wasn’t swimming in the middle of the ocean, no doubt.”

  “She was surfing. A wave knocked her over during a large storm, a storm you caused, may I add.” Adrian’s voice grew louder. “If I hadn’t swam in and rescued her, she would’ve drowned.”

  “You went to the surface? How dare you disobey my orders!” Poseidon seethed.

  “Forgive me, Father, but I will be god of the sea someday. And I have to make my own decisions,” Adrian fought back.

  “Your decisions affect our people,” Poseidon raged. “You must think of more than just yourself! Every merperson depends on you to lead them, to make sacrifices for them!”

  “She can become one of us. I know you have the power, Father. She can live among us in Aquatica, and—”

  “Have you lost your mind?” Poseidon hissed. “Humans aren’t to be trusted! If they knew of our existence, they would put us in labs! They would hunt us down to keep in zoos and aquariums. They would persecute us until none of us remained! You’ve seen what they’ve done to the magical community on land, and now you want to bring one of them down here?” Poseidon’s trident glowed. “No. I forbid it!”

  “You cannot stop it. My heart has chosen her. The mating bond is already in place,” Adrian said quickly.

  “If she refuses your bond, the magic will force you to pick someone else,” Poseidon argued. “That is what must happen. You must choose another.”

  The thought of Isa turning him down gutted Adrian to the core. He knew it was a possibility. But he hadn’t entertained the idea that she would say no, because it hurt too much. Her, a human, giving up everything she knew to live a life in the ocean with him? That was impossible.

  “You don’t understand. She’s not like other humans. She cares about the sea, and what happens to it,” Adrian argued. “She wants to help save it.”

  “One human is like the rest. They’re all the same.” His father was settling now, taking back control. “I’ll hear no more about it, Adrian.”

  “But—"

  “No exceptions!” Poseidon’s hand made a slashing motion through the air. “This cannot, and will not, happen! You will choose another for your bride, a mermaid, and put childish fantasies aside! It’s time you learned to act like a king instead of a boy!”

  Adrian fell silent, and Poseidon turned his back on him. “Leave me. I’m ashamed to call you my son.”

  Adrian felt himself cringe. Fine. If his father wanted him to leave, he’d leave. He swam toward the great doors, but his mother was waiting outside of it. Ianthe stared at him, her face showing nothing.

  “What about you?” Adrian asked harshly. “Am I a failure to you, too?”

  Ianthe cupped the side of her son’s face. “You must follow your heart, Adrian. To do anything else is to betray yourself.”

  Ianthe then swam away, toward Poseidon and his precious throne. His mother’s words resonated deeply inside him, and Adrian tried to make a decision.

  When Adrian got back to his room he found it cleared of all human objects, even the gaming console he’d found a mere few days before. It was practically empty. Moona was waiting for him, swimming in slow circles.

  “I tried, Adrian,” she said sadly. “But y

  our father ordered it all taken away. They wouldn’t listen.”

  Adrian angrily punched the wall. He flung himself onto his bed and looked up, thinking.

  “What are you going to do, Adrian?” Moona asked him. She floated above him, looking down while Adrian was pondering.

  An idea came to him. It was a wicked idea— sinful. Wrong. He wasn’t just betraying himself by thinking about it, he was betraying the entire kingdom.

  But he was desperate. And desperation required the worst of actions.

  “I’m going to see Stavros.”

  Chapter Eight

  Isamaria

  Isamaria was beating herself up the day after she’d hung out with Adrian.

  She couldn’t believe what a coward she was. She’d ran away from Adrian like a scared little girl, and she hated herself for it. He was going to kiss her, and she’d totally blown it. He probably thought she wasn’t into him now.

  She’d hooked up with guys she’d known for a shorter time, but that hadn’t been anything but messing around. Adrian was different. She could tell he cared, feel it by looking into his eyes.

  A morning class, a full day on the tour boat and a half-shift at the aquarium should’ve meant she was too busy to think about Adrian, but that wasn’t how it went. She found she was daydreaming most of the day about him, about his eyes, what color they were and how his voice had sounded against the crash of the waves. Isa wanted to record it and replay it over and over.

  She’d probably seemed so pathetic to him yesterday. She told him she was busy because she didn’t want to make it seem like she was desperate, but what Adrian didn’t know is that she had two jobs and a full semester schedule because she was desperately trying to fill the hole created by her father’s absence.

  She got a text from Harbor around 9 o’clock. Brently Shores was throwing a beach party, a kegger to celebrate that his rowing team had made it to the semifinals. Brently wasn’t Isa’s favorite person. He acted like he was a big deal, only talked about rowing, and had made it his personal mission in life to creep on her.

  Ugh. Parties. They so weren’t her thing. But she owed Harbor and Shelly for what she’d put them through the other night, so she said yes.

  Isa slipped on a clean black and white swimsuit with an orange cover-up, grabbed her flip flops, and headed out. She’d stay for an hour, have a few beers, and bug out. She was tired. All she wanted to do was go to sleep and dream about Adrian.

  Last night she’d had the weirdest dream about him. She dreamed they were swimming through the sea, and as she got closer, she saw he had a long tail… that there were fins on his arms, and gills in his neck. She’d dreamed that Adrian was a merman.

  It was totally dumb. But the more Isa thought about it, the more she came back to what she’d seen on the boat— the green fin that had dipped underwater, and the face of the boy she thought had resembled Adrian’s.

  She pulled up to Brently’s beach house and sighed. She was getting more delusional by the day. Hanging with Adrian made her realize how lonely she was. Maybe this party would be good for her.

  The rap music was already pounding, blocking out the crash of the ocean, and a glow from a bonfire outside was illuminating the starry sky. There were already so many people here, girls Isa hadn’t seen since her high school graduation, most of which Isa noticed had already gotten implants… presents from their rich daddies. Isa knew they’d be staring at her cup size and asking Isa why she hadn’t gotten any work done yet.

  There were more guys at the party than girls. They wore cut-off shirts with sandals and shorts, hats worn backwards and long hair wrapped into man buns. They crushed beer cans, made dirty jokes, and bragged loudly about how much they could lift.

  Bros. Double ugh.

  “Hey, baby. Glad you could make it!” one of them cried out as Isa passed them by. She cringed. She was on the way to the stairs to find Harbor, but now she was forced to stop and turn around.

  “What’s up, Ken?” Isa forced a smile. “How’ve you been?”

  “Not bad. Crossfit has been working out great. Want to touch?” He flexed a muscle. Isa thought she might gag.

  “No thanks. I’m actually seeing a guy,” Isa blurted out before she could stop herself.

  “You have someone?” Ken’s eyes widened. Isa had never dated in high school, more or less just messed around. Ken was one of those guys she’d messed with, and Isa wholly regretted it. Ken wasn’t a bad guy… but he wasn’t good in bed, either.

  “Yeah, I do. You don’t know him. He’s from out of town.” She hadn’t
realized she’d thought of Adrian as her own. Boyfriend didn’t seem like an accurate word. It was much more than that.

  But that was crazy. She’d only known him for so short a time.

  Everyone was clustered around, interested in who Isa’s new man was. But thankfully, Luanne came to interrupt before anyone could question further.

  “Hey, Isa.” An orange girl named Luanne, her natural black hair dyed a pasty blonde, saddled up to Ken’s side and put an arm around his waist. “Get any work done yet? You could use some Botox between your eyes. Wrinkles are starting to show, sweet thing.”

  Luanne was Ken’s literal Barbie. Some girls were considered high maintenance, but Luanne was more expensive to keep than a pet leopard. Isa had always thought Luanne looked fake. She always tried to make herself look like someone else instead of herself.

  If Isa was brutally honest, Luanne had spent all of high school trying to look like her.

  At one time, Isa had considered Luanne to be one of her best friends. She didn’t know why now.

  Isa was about to bite back that she was twenty and had no wrinkles, but she swallowed the comeback down and said, “It’s nice to see you, Luanne.”

  “You too, girl. You have a new man?” Luanne smacked her gum. “Well, it’s not like he’ll last long. We all know how you go through guys.”

  Luanne threw her head back and laughed, and the crowd laughed with her.

  Isa’s cheeks burned. “I think it’s different this time.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up, sweetie. I’m looking forward to getting your sloppy seconds. You always nail the hottest guys.” Luanne giggled, and Isa choked. The thought of her kissing Adrian made Isa want to reach out and strangle her, but she kept her composure.

  “I’m gonna get a beer,” Isa said to excuse herself, and she turned back around, waiting to feel a knife in her back at any moment.

  “She goes through men like money,” she heard someone whisper.

  “Daddy issues,” the other person responded, like she knew.

  There it was. Isa had to struggle to keep her fists at her sides as she headed up the steps. She had to find Harbor and Shelly.