Page 28

T ears bubbled in my eyes. I’d never seen so much colour before. Huge coral trees whizzed past us with every powerful kick of Sweetie’s tail fin. It was like swimming through a dream. Red and orange starfish clung to the trunks of coral trees, while dozens of different blue and yellow fish darted between the branches. Even with the waves blocking the moonlight, the glow of the corals illuminated any dark spots. If I hadn’t been so focused on clinging to Sweetie’s side, I’d be sighing in awe.

“Why can’t he just swim above the trees?” Arenn complained, clearly feeling nowhere near as enchanted.

“Predators,” Adriana replied gruffly. There’d been tension after she kissed me on the beach. While Raena and I had accepted her mermaid blessing somewhat willingly, Arenn dug his heels into the sand and insisted there must be another way for him to breathe below the waves. ‘ Any other way ’ he’d screeched every time she’d tried to pin him down and kiss him.

It was only when I’d popped back up from the waves and suggested to Adriana that we just go without him that he finally accepted a quick peck from the mermaid. Though he spent the first fifteen minutes of our journey wiping his lips with the back of his hand, his expression turning more sour each time she grinned at him.

“But isn’t Sweetie already a predator? He’s a shark, isn’t he?” Raena chimed over Sweetie’s fin. She and Arenn had taken his left side while Adriana and I clung to his right.

“Sweetie is not a predator,” Adriana huffed. “He’s a sweetheart. That’s why I gave him his name.”

“So you said,” I mumbled to myself. While the shark had never attacked us, I couldn’t help but doubt her name choice every time his pointed teeth flashed. It seemed to happen far too often in this dense coral forest – especially whenever a larger, more human-sized fish would pass by.

“How long until we reach the cave?” I asked the merfolk, desperate for a distraction.

“We’re almost halfway,” she said, patting Sweetie. “Maybe another half hour and then we’ll be searching for the little prince’s cure.”

“Will it be difficult to find once we’re there?” Raena asked, pushing her hair back from her face. We’d been over the plan already. Adriana had covered every detail after Sweetie had arrived to take us through the forests. Still, judging by the way Raena kept fidgeting with her curls, she was just as nervous as I was.

Adriana shook her head. “I don’t think so. The stories say the creatures you’ll need are hard to miss – tiny little green things that’ll be drifting around the seaflowers. Just scoop some up, and that’s all you’ll need.”

“Doesn’t sound very dangerous,” Arenn murmured, his fiery gaze pinned on her.

Adriana laughed awkwardly. “Oh, did I say it was dangerous?” Laughing again, she chewed her lower lip.

Raena and I exchanged confused looks. But before we could ask what in the realm she was scheming, Sweetie pulled us to a sudden halt.

“We’re stopping here,” she announced, pushing away from Sweetie’s side to grab the ropes around his snout.

“What? Why?” My feet thudded against the sand.

“Sweetie’s tired.” Adriana fashioned the rope into some kind of lead. “There’s a town nearby that has a stable he can rest in.”

“Will it take long?” I tilted my chin up to the waves high above. If I squinted, I could just make out the moon sinking towards the horizon. We still had time. Not much, though.

The blue-tailed mermaid led the shark through a gap in the corals, gesturing for us to follow. “He’ll be rested enough to finish the journey soon.” She ducked as we passed below a low-hanging coral tree, the colourful branches tickling my shoulders.

“But how long is ‘soon’—”

I gasped. Any words I’d wanted to say abandoned me as the trees parted to reveal the prettiest town I’d ever seen.

Dozens of houses and shops sprawled across the sandy ground ahead of us, each delicately shaped like shells or anemones, and glittering in different soft colours as if they were alive. Seafoam-green grass swayed gently in the water, lining the pearl paths that wove through the village, while thin coral spires topped with glowing clams bathed the streets in golden light. Even the merfolk drifting through the town wore ethereal, flowing garments that would put any human fashion to shame.

“It’s so beautiful,” Raena breathed. Slowly, I nodded.

“I suppose it is,” Adriana called over her shoulder. “Sweetie likes it here too, but that’s probably because this town lets sharks into their stables, and he loves making friends. Don’t you, Sweetie?” She scratched under his chin. “Especially with the girl sharks. He’s a real ladies’ man.”

Arenn snorted. “So what are we supposed to do while he flirts?” He folded his arms as Adriana shot him a scowl. “Just sit here?”

“You can go into the village if you’d like?” She nodded towards the closest street. “There are shops and cafes to look inside. But if I were you, I’d just wait here until I get back from the stables.” Her gaze turned serious as she glanced my way. “The same rules with humans apply here as they do in my mother’s court. If you’re not already a merfolk pet, someone else will claim you.” She then turned her lip up at Arenn. “And don’t think you’re safe, faery boy. I’m sure there are merfolk here who’d love to have their way with you – unless they think I’ve claimed you already.” She grinned teasingly.

I could almost feel the anger rolling off of Arenn, but before he could do more than glare, I stepped between them. “It’s fine. We’ll wait.” I spoke for the group.

Adriana nodded, but the moment she’d set off with Sweetie, Arenn was upon me, fuming like a wildfire.

“I am not letting anyone think I belong to her ,” he growled.

“It’s alright. I doubt she’d even touch you.” I tried my best to calm him. “We’ll just have to stay close to her and—”

“I don’t want to be anywhere near that seawitch,” he hissed, not even looking at me. “And I don’t want her anywhere near you, either. If you’re to be anyone’s pet, you’ll be mine.” His gaze hardened onto me, the sudden possession in his tone making me queasy.

“Stop that,” I told him firmly. “We’ve been through this.”

But of course Arenn wasn’t listening. “I know what we can do.” He stood taller, eyes determined. “I’ll glamour myself into a merfolk then you can be my pet. We’ll leave your friend with Adriana.”

“Absolutely not—”

“It’s perfect,” he laughed, ignoring me. “And this time,” his grin widened, “you can’t even say no because it’s the best idea we’ve got. Unless you’d rather let Adriana tell you what to do?”

Raena took a nervous step towards us. “I know it’s not ideal since it’s so pretty and there’s probably some lovely shops in that town,” she chewed her lip, scrunching her nose, “but we could always just… stay here in the coral forest instead of going with Adriana?”

“Quiet, human,” Arenn snarled loud enough to make her yelp.

That was it.

“Prince Arenn,” I roared. Both Arenn and Raena jumped, and I swear even the fish paused to listen. “You are not to make anyone here your pet. Do you understand?”

The pair of them trembled, but I didn’t continue until Arenn gave me a shaky nod.

“We’re going to sit here and wait for Adriana to return and then we are going to find a nice place in the coral forest to wait until Sweetie is rested.”

Arenn’s lips thinned while Raena turned her chin to stare at the town almost longingly.

The options swirled around my mind. I supposed I could let her go with Adriana and watch over Arenn myself, but did I trust him enough to sit alone in a forest with him? The sudden sinking feeling in my stomach answered for me. But when the anxiety faded, another idea popped into my head – silly enough to make me chuckle.

Both Arenn and Raena looked at me, confused.

“What’s so funny?” Arenn grumbled.

“I have another idea.” With excitement bubbling in my chest, I smiled. “You’re going to glamour me.”

“Naria, look! They have gown shops!” Raena squealed, pointing giddily towards anoth er row of shops nestled within the mermaid town. “Maybe we can find your wedding dress here?”

“Wedding dress?” Arenn sputtered. “Tell me you are not about to marry that foul—”

“Quiet, pet,” I barked at him. His lips clamped shut, and both Raena and I had to swing our hands up to hide our giggles. Neither of us missed the rage simmering in his gaze. He looked furious enough to murder us both had I not been glamoured as a noble mermaid and he a mere human.

“Let’s go in there!” Raena tugged on my arm, pulling me towards a shop decorated with seaflowers.

Letting her lead, I swam closer to the shop’s entrance, my extravagant lavender tail swishing behind me. While Arenn had clearly not been impressed with my idea to get us into the town, that didn’t stop him from glamouring me with the most gorgeous mermaid tail and delicate shell top. Even Raena couldn’t hide her awe. Though any pride that had worked its way onto his lips had long since gone – especially now I was really starting to enjoy ordering him around.

“Come now, pet.” I crooked a finger at him when he lingered in the street. Around him, dozens of merfolk swam by with overflowing shopping baskets, the occasional human pet paddling along beside them. Arenn remained glaring at me until a particularly wiry-looking mermaid drew a little too close and brushed his shoulder, then he was back by my side, following me through the shop’s open door before I could utter another word.

“I should’ve just glamoured all three of us,” he said, shuddering.

“Too late for that now,” I chuckled before hundreds of bubbles whooshed out of me at the sight of the shop’s interior.

Swirling columns of multicoloured coral spiralled from floor to ceiling while hundreds of gowns floated lazily on their racks, secured to rails by thin seaweed hangers. As the garments swayed with the current, their colours changed, shimmering from seafoam-green to iridescent blues and soft pinks. It was all so beautiful, I couldn’t help but follow Raena further inside.

In the centre of the shop was a display of white marble mannequins, some with tails coiled beneath them and others showcasing different sized human legs. Each mannequin was dressed in a fine gown crafted from silky pink fabric. The skirts puffed up like jellyfish while pearls decorated the models’ necks and wrists.

“I think I would actually murder someone to wear a gown like this,” Raena sighed, not blinking as she stroked the shimmering garment.

Before I could agree, a new, cheery voice sounded over my shoulder. “Can I help you three with anything today? These particular gowns are leftovers from our summer collection!”

Turning, I came face to face with a short, rosy-cheeked mermaid. Her mango-coloured tail swayed gently beneath her.

“Oh!” She startled at the sight of Arenn and Raena. “What adorable little pets.” She peered closer at the pair. “Wherever did you find such darlings?”

Raena smiled bashfully as I tried my best to come up with a convincing story. “This one I found wandering along the beach after a human garden party.” I touched Raena’s shoulder tenderly. “And this one…” I turned my focus to Arenn, scrunching my nose. “I found washed up on some island somewhere. He was all tangled in netting and reeked of fish. Until I saved him, of course.”

Arenn shot me a look which I ignored, tossing my hair back with a smile.

“What would they do without us, hmm?” The shop assistant shook her head, passing Arenn a pitiful look. “Such silly, helpless things.”

Raena snorted.

“Will you show us some more gowns?” I asked with an eager grin. “I’d love to find something for my female pet to wear.”

Raena’s face lit up like a peach in the sun.

“Of course!” The mermaid clapped her hands together. “I should probably mention we’re actually offering free pet makeovers upstairs. There’s no cost to you. All we ask is that you let our portrait artists capture your pets’ in their new clothing. We’re using the paintings to help decorate the shop.” She held her arm out to gesture at a few portraits on the walls, each one showing a different human wearing new extravagant outfits.

“Oh I’m not sure if we have time.” I winced, noticing how some of the portrait subjects appeared less than thrilled to be dolled up in fancy clothes.

Nails pierced the skin in my arm. I jerked my chin to see Raena smiling sweetly while she muttered something loud enough for only me to hear, “Naria, if you dare take this opportunity away from me I swear I will never speak to you again.”

Swallowing, I turned back to the assistant as Raena released her death grip. “Actually.” I let out a nervous laugh. “I think we have enough time for this one.” I nudged a grinning Raena towards the shop assistant who squealed gleefully.

“Wonderful!” Carefully, she took Raena’s arm and wrapped it around hers. “We haven’t had a pet this beautiful before. We’ll make her look so lovely.”

Raena’s eyes glittered like the stars. She mouthed a quiet ‘ thank you ’ to me before being led away to an impressive spiral staircase.

“Don’t even think about sending me up there with her,” Arenn huffed the moment she was gone.

“I’m not that cruel,” I told him, swimming over to a rack of gorgeous dresses.

The next few minutes were spent with me browsing while Arenn followed like a lost dog, tossing out as many complaints and forceful exhales as he could, and being particularly vicious whenever my fingers brushed an ivory gown.

“You’d look awful in that,” he drawled as I examined another delicate, frost white gown. “Try this instead.” He plucked a modest black gown from the rack and thrust it into my hands.

“You don’t think white is my colour?” I raised an eyebrow.

“That depends on who you’re marrying.”

A frustrated sigh pushed past my teeth. He was hurt; I could see it in his broken gaze. And because of that hurt, he was being petty. But still, a girl could only take so much.

I was really starting to feel that I’d enjoy this shopping experience much more on my own.

“Actually, you know what? I think you should go with Raena after all.”

“Don’t you dare—”

“It was so foolish of me to let her go up there by herself. They could be doing all sorts of awful things to her. She could be being tortured.” Judging by the occasional excited squeals and chatter coming from the staircase, she was far from being tortured.

“Please don’t do this,” he begged. “Naria—”

Scooping up his hand, I tugged him towards another shop assistant who was folding shawls by an elegant gown display. “Excuse me?” I smiled sweetly, ignoring the way Arenn was writhing in my grip. “Do you have room for one more makeover?”