“Where is Prince Arenn?” she asked at last.
“He’s umm…” Both women blinked at me expectantly as I dragged a nervous hand through my hair. “He…” Maybe I shouldn’t have done it. Was I too cruel?
I didn’t have time to think any longer as Raena smacked a hand over her mouth. Beside her, Adriana almost choked. Confused, I tilted my head – until heavy footsteps sounded behind me. When I turned, my jaw dropped too.
Prince Arenn stood before us, his usual regal demeanour buried beneath layers of sea-inspired chaos. A dark teal tunic clung to his frame, the hem adorned with pearlescent seashells that jingled with every furious breath he took. Over it, he wore a seaweed vest, far too short, and decorated with fish scales in a way that somehow seemed both intricate and ridiculous. At least they’d let him keep his breeches, but his boots had been accessorised with seaweed strips that trailed behind him like jellyfish tendrils.
“Don’t… say anything,” he muttered. But his words only drew my focus up to his face where, resting on his head, was a tangled crown of netting and seashells.
Adriana snorted. “I think you look lovely.”
The assistant who’d guided him down trembled as he held Arenn’s arm. But I couldn’t blame him for his nerves. The water around the prince was practically boiling. “I believe this is your pet, miss?” His voice cracked.
“Yes, thank you.” I nodded, quickly drawing Arenn to my side. The moment he was free, the assistant hurried away as if he feared Arenn might actually explode.
“What a delightful vest,” Raena cooed. “And such a vibrant headpiece!”
“Dare I say his outfit is even prettier than yours,” Adriana giggled.
When the prince’s gaze turned deadly, I took a steadying breath and pushed the cackling women towards the shop door. “Why don’t you both find another shop for us to look in? Maybe somewhere with food?” It was difficult to swallow my own laughter, but with Arenn’s rage reaching dangerous levels, I knew I needed to do something. And quickly. “I think I just need a moment alone with him. Would you both mind?”
Adriana smirked, taking Raena’s hand. “I know the perfect place. Come and find us when you’re ready.”
Turning back to the seething prince, I had to mask the nerves in my belly. His breaths were short, and I’d never seen someone look so murderous, but when I swam closer and placed both my hands upon his shoulders, the tension in his jaw released a little.
“Thank you for not murdering my friends,” I spoke in the most soothing tone I could manage, “and the shop staff too… I trust you didn’t hurt any of them?” My voice became small. Hopeful.
Arenn huffed, not meeting my gaze. “I wanted to,” he growled. “But you’ll be pleased to hear I behaved myself, as frustrating as that was.”
“Thank you.” The smile that brushed my lips was genuine. As Arenn’s gaze landed upon it, a muscle popped in his jaw.
“You’re welcome,” he forced out.
Reaching forward, I helped to remove the hideous vest from his shoulders, then I plucked a few of the most offensive seashells from the tunic’s hemline. Once satisfied, I pushed the netting off his head and fixed his hair, ignoring the way he seemed to shudder with every brush off my fingers.
“Much better,” I told him, drawing back.
His hands grabbed my wrists with enough force to make me gasp.
“Naria…” he breathed my name as if he were tasting it. Slowly, his gaze fell to my lips.
But then something in him faltered, and he released his grip on my arms, gritting his teeth. “Forgive me.” His voice was strained. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
Swishing my tail, I put some distance between us. “You’re forgiven.” The water over here felt much nicer for some reason. Safer, too. “Though we should probably catch up with the others.” I tipped my chin towards the shop’s arched door. “Who knows what trouble Adriana could be getting Raena into.”
My smile returned at the possibilities, but when I glanced back at the prince, he’d dropped into a crouch to tear the seaweed from his boots. A deep frown poured over his face, his gaze growing more wounded by the second.
Wincing, I crossed my arms over my chest. I didn’t want to feel anything other than hatred for this man. He’d invaded my dreams. Kissed me even when I’d told him not too, and tricked me far too many times to count. Still, with his jaw clenched and eyes fixed to the floor, he just looked so hurt, broken. He needed help.
Before I could stop myself, I’d swam back over and scooped up his hands.
“You will find happiness, Arenn,” I whispered. “I promise you will.” It certainly wouldn’t be with me, but he’d find it. One day.
Lifting his head, he tensed. His lips parted as if to reply, but then he stopped himself and swallowed. “Thank you,” he finally replied. “I pray that I do soon.” When his amber eyes met mine they were full of longing, and something much darker too, but that faded with a blink as he forced out a smile. “Shall we find your friends now?”
Nodding, I released his hands before helping to remove the last of the seaweed from his boots. “Let’s hope they haven’t gone too far.”
They hadn’t. We found the two women halfway through demolishing a large plate of some kind of fried crustaceans by a divine-smelling market stall. And after helping to polish off the leftovers, Adriana led us on a tour of the rest of the town.
