Page 4 of The Nymph Prince

I turned to him. He was still in his night attire, cotton pants and a matching top. His light-brown hair was messy and his violet eyes were tired.

“Don’t go,” he whispered.

“I must.” After closing the space between us, I grabbed his hands. “I will not be gone long. Perhaps a day or two. I just need…” I looked up at the sea life swimming on the other side of the barrier. “Freedom.”

“Malik will be angry.”

“He can be angry all he wants,” I responded, pulling my hands from his and stepping backward. “I’m still leaving.”

“What of the king?” he pressed. “He has just arrived home and nowyouare the one leaving.”

“Even more reason for me to go,” I said. “The king is in charge once more, so there is no need for the prince.”

Troy watched me with disappointment. I thought he might argue further, but he seemed to know there was no stopping me. With a sad nod, he walked away.

I didn’t have time to stand there and make things right with him. The guard would discover my absence any moment and then relay the news to a very grumpy Malik. With one final look at the palace, and to the sad-faced man who stood at the top of the steps, I turned and made my way toward the portal.

There was only one way in and out of Avalontis, and I was fortunate that there wasn’t an armed guard waiting for me once I got there. Since no one but merfolk could pass through the barrier—unless they were with one of us—there was no need for it to be guarded.

That might change, however, if I continued to sneak away. The guard would be placed there specifically for me.

That’s a worry for another day.

Without wasting another second, I passed through the portal, shifting into my merform as I did. The transformation process was fast and oddly satisfying. My legs lengthened and changed to a blue and green tail, violet fins sprouted from my forearms, and gills opened on my neck.

My heart soared as I caught a current and swam through the blue water.

The underwater kingdom was located between the Southern Isles and the north, so the water was on the warmer side, but still held a slight chill during the early morning. My senses were enhanced in my merform; echoes of sea life came from all directions and my skin tingled as though tiny zaps were traveling through my veins, guiding me.

The closer I got to the surface, the more I saw the light shining on the water, like a thousand crystals.

I yearned to feel the sun on my skin once more. With the promise of such a thing so close, I swam faster. Reaching the surface, I broke through the top of the water and gave a relieved sigh as the sun finally greeted me.

That’s also when I felt him.

My pirate.

Not only did I feel connected to him, but I could sense him, as well. When he was close, it was like an invisible thread connected us and all I had to do was follow it.

Just as I was following him now.

He was farther north, so I dove back beneath the waves and traveled that way, eventually feeling the warmth leave the water. A deep chill took its place. More scales appeared on my skin, covering the tops of my shoulders in a cascade of blue. Better protecting me from the cold.

Once I reached the town of Wintervale, his scent grew stronger. TheCrimson Nightwas nowhere in sight. I was too late. The pirate ship must’ve only been in port long enough to replenish supplies before taking off again.

I swam faster than ships could travel, and I’d covered many, many miles that day. I was exhausted and knew I wouldn’t be able to keep going until I rested and got some food in my belly. I went to a more secluded part of the harbor town to slip out of the water unnoticed and transform back into a man.

My ears were pointed, so even though I looked like a man in other aspects, they were a dead giveaway that I wasn’t human. I snatched a hat from a nearby merchant stand and placed it on my head, pulling it down to cover the tops of my ears.

The people chattered as I took coin from my small purse and paid for my meal in the tavern. I stayed long enough to eat and find fresh water before taking my leave. I wasn’t afraid of humans like Troy, but I didn’t trust them.

Out of all the creatures walking the earth, humans were some of the most vile.

In need of rest, I found a cave near the water’s edge and settled in for the night.

The next morning, I awoke bright and early. I didn’t want to stay in Wintervale longer than necessary. There were several reasons for that. One, I yearned to see my pirate again. And two? Well, I was certain Malik was hunting me down at that exact moment.

Nothing was more of a motivator than having a six foot seven battle hardened warrior on your trail.