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 everythingwentdark.
Adrian cameto 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 toexplode.
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!?Youknowbetter 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 youbynow!”
“I’m sorry, Moona, okay? I couldn’t help myself,” he slung back at her. “I really don’t need a guilt trip from yourightnow!”
“Don’t give me an attitude. I saved your life,” Moona snapped. “You would’ve suffocated onshore if it wasn't for me pullingyouin.”
He knew she wasright.
“Was it worth it, at least?” Moona snapped. “Did youfindher?”
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 istellingme.”
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 betogether?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. That’s what I need to speak with my fatherabout.”
“What!” Moona’s eyes popped out of her head. “You can’t be serious. Poseidon isn’t going to allow this, Adrian. Youknowit.”
“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 canfixthis.”
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 ifyoubeg.”
“I have to try.” Adrian began swimming determinedly in the direction of Aquatica. “And who knows? Maybe he’ll goforit.”
Moona muttered something under her breath, but Adrian didn’t hear her. As they swam back, Moona peppered him with peskyquestions.
“What is it exactly about her that you like so much? You barely know her,”Moonasaid.
“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 wantthattoo.”
“You know you can’t have that, Adrian. You’re a prince. You have responsibilities,” Moona saidquietly.
Moona didn’t understand. If she felt how he did, thenshe’dknow.
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 ownparty.
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 hisnerve.
“Father, before you say anything,” Adrian said as the king opened his mouth, “Let it be known that I have officially foundmymate.”
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 oneveryword.
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 thefloor.
“I’d prefer to speak with you alone, Father,” Adrian said. “If that’s allright.”
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 forlater.
“All right, son, don’t hold your breath,” Poseidon encouraged. “Give me the name of the lucky mermaid, and we’ll get onwithit.”
Adrian took a deep breath.Here it goes.“Her name isIsamaria.”
“Isamaria. Hm.” Poseidon leaned back on his throne and stroked his beard. “I don’t recall hearing that namebefore.”
