My eyes widened and I couldn’t help but smile, amused.
Oh really?
He froze. “That’s–I mean…”
Thank you, Ezra. That’s good to know.
He cursed to himself and let out a breath. “Look. I didn’t mean–I mean… I never said I wasn’t aware of it. Just–” He sighed. “I’m not used to the company of someone like you.”
No need to explain yourself,I told him.I’m not offended.
He let out another breath and I couldn’t tell if he was relieved or more embarrassed than before… but something about the interaction made my heart skip a beat. I’d been called beautiful before, but, coming from him… it was different. It made my heart want to soar and sail wild and free like the ships on the sea.
I’m not so different from the company you probably keep, Ezra. I’m just… more exposed.
And this time Ezra let out a nervous laugh as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Right. Um… we’ll see. So let’s teach you how to walk and get you some real clothes.” And with that, he placed his hands on my waist to steady me. I took his arms, and, in a few electric moments, my jellyfish legs steadied enough for me to walk on my own.
Just a few steps.
More stumbles that frustrated me more than I wanted to admit.
But I got the hang of it. Mostly.
“You did it!” he exclaimed, leaned over, his hands still on my waist. I clapped my hands, but, for some reason, he was still there, and I didn’t want him to let go. We looked into each other’s eyes, and my heart paddled harder than a panicked seahorse.
Oh scales.We had to get me to my world, because if I spent too much time with this young man, I was going to sink farther than the briney kingdom at the bottom of the sea.
CHAPTER SEVEN
EZRA
Even I had to admit that kissing a mermaid was probably the most exhilarating thing I’d ever done in my life. It was strange to think that when I was last human, Princess Cressida might have wanted to kiss me. And that filled my stomach with dread.
I knew I shouldn’t think it, especially because Aulani had her own world and prince to return to, probably oceans away, but I secretly wondered what it would be like if she stayed. Was itabsolutelynecessary that I marry the woman who was once betrothed to my brother? My father said I was taking Tavo’s place, but did that include taking the woman he was meant to wed? Did I really have to follow the guidance and advice of my father and the counselors?
Aulani grabbing my arm swiftly distracted me from my roiling stomach. Her big brown eyes sparkled in the moonlight as she smiled up at me.Sorry I keep grabbing you like a drunk sailor on a steady ship, she said to my mind.Just when I think I get the hang of these legs, they keep swaying like kelp on a bad day.
The corner of my lip turned up. Every part of Aulani was bubbling and overflowing with joy. It was becoming increasinglydifficult to keep my composure around her. I had given her my shirt a while back, which made me feel much too exposed with a naked upper body, but she didn’t seem to mind. She even said that mermen never wore shirts or clothes, so it didn’t bother her.
It bothered me though. What was the mermaid’s life really like? Did she have a lover back in her kingdom? Or was she in love with that human prince she mentioned?
I shouldn’t care.So why did it nag at me?
On our walk through the forest, I told her everything that had happened to me: taking my brother’s place, the walk in the garden with Cressida, the fight against the invasive frogs, and trying to help the songbirds thrive again.
You’ve got a lot on your shoulders Ezra,she said after I finished.Honestly, I can see why you’re so stressed now.
Stressed?
She laughed.Yes. Ever since I met you, you’re tight and serious as a hungry stingray.
I glanced at her and she squeezed my arm.You’ll get it all sorted, Ezra. I know you will.
Her confidence in me was encouraging, especially when she didn’t even know me. I smiled to myself, but hoped she didn’t realize the effect she was having on me… especially in such a short span of time.
When we reached the village,I spoke softly. “It’s probably best if people don’t see us…”
