Vaela surfaces in silence. Her body floats like a gleaming blade as it effortlessly glides through the water. Wet skin shimmering under the sunlight, droplets dripping down her breasts.
She blinks. Unimpressed. Valiantly trying to ignore the figure looming on a rock, smiling at her from across the lagoon.
The man, if he could even be called just that, looked almost too perfect. Reclined on a seastone covered in glimmering moss, wave's lapping at his waist, as if trying to kiss abs that looked like they've been sculpted by a lifetime of rolling tides. He wore his long, shining, slicked back hair like he was an advertisement for carnal indulge and heartbreak. And his eyes… ridiculously green, bright, oozing passion and annoyingly charming.
"Ah!" he exclaims, gazing at her with a raised brow like he just found something he's been looking for all his life. "The sea sings, and you appear. Surely this is fate—"
"No." Valea cuts him off without a blink.
His smile widens.
"Was that a no to fate? Or a no to the singing sea?"
"Yes."
He tilts his head with a chuckle. "Oof. You wound me, m'lady. But I suppose a beauty such as yours must be constantly guarded. I too would wield sarcasm like a dagger if I were as strikingly gorgeous as you are."
She remained cold and curt, softly treading water away from him as she rolled her eyes.
"Your name! Bless me with your name at least."
"No."
"Shall I call you Storm, or perhaps—"
"No."
"No for the telling me your name, or no for—"
"Yes."
Lilith lounges on a warm rock, pouring her fourth tequila as she purrs with delight. "Oh… my poor, little kitten. I give it five more lines from him before you're in his arms."
He slaps his hand to his chest and leans back in mock lamentation. "So cruel! Are all surface-dwellers this hard to talk to or is it just the most beautiful ones?"
Vaela rolled her eyes harder, sighed loudly and began lifting herself out of the water.
"I'm leaving."
"Of course, m'lady." He frowns and slowly nods. "Dealing with aquatic royaltic is indeed a daunting task. Especially when he's this handsome."
Royalty?
She twisted her head. Just a little. And blinked. Just once.
"Success!" he declares with a raised fist. "A reaction! Shit… saying something quickly, Kai. Make her laugh. Oh dear... I'm afraid I'm running out of charm here, m'lady. Please have some mercy. I am but a humble Prince."
"A prince with terrible pick up lines. You're not funny." she groans.
"Perhaps, but I have your attention, now." he replied, smooth as sin. "And… for someone that wants to be left alone, you do seem to be getting suspiciously close to me."
Vaela looked around, realizing she had somehow drifted close to him. Cleary the current carrying her. Definitely the current!
"Don't!"
"Don't what? Look sexy under the sun? That's kinda my thing though…"
Vaela takes a deep breath, swallowing inklings of a smile that attempts to crawl over her lips.
"You're ludicrous."
"Ludicrously charming and handsome, right? Admit it."
Vaela huffs a sound. Something halfway between a scoff and choked laughter.
"Oh, I'm so close. I can feel it." he grins.
"Stay away. I have a sharp rock." she sneered, nose wrinkling.
"Ooooh, and I have a trident. Want to compare tips?"
Vaela tried not to laugh, she really, really did. But it broke out of her like a burst dam. Loud, bright, pure and totally uncontrollable. She rolled back into the water, splashing about as she tried to contain her ribs.
She choked and spluttered and grabbed her tummy tighter with each howling breath.
"Oh no! I broke her." he cried as she went under the surface, still kicking with laughter.
He dives in.
Vaela couldn't register his movement. With a graceful blur, he swept her up in his arms, lifting her through the water like she weighed nothing. The surface parted with a gentle splash as they breach and he spins her around gently as she lay cradled in his arms, choking through the last of her own laughter.
Blinking, she looks at him. Her arm tightly wrapped around his bare shoulders and her flushed cheek dangerously close to his heaving chest.
Oh no.
His golden skin felt warm, his muscles felt hot, his breath smelt like mint and sea-salt, and his eyes... damn those ridiculously charming eyes.
"Thank you." he whispers
"For what?"
"Your smile. It was beautiful." he says. His voice now softer, smoother and sincere.
"Ugh… Just don't."
"Don't compliment you?"
"Don't do that… thing."
"Thing?"
"The smooth talking, broody eyes, words like poetry… thing. I'm not in the mood."
He nods with a smirk. "Duly noted, m'lady."
As he slowly releases her back into the water, she catches a glimpse of a flicker of flesh behind his ears. Small slits in his skin. Delicate and barely visible. Her gaze narrows.
"Wait…" she muttered. "You… you have gills."
"It's not nice to stare, you know." he chuckles.
She inspects him more closely. The fluid grace and speed in the water, his comfort in it, like it was where he belonged.
"You're Aquarian."
He bows, grinning. "Kai, Crown Prince of Aquesteria. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Oh gods… he's worse than I thought." Vaela groans under her breath.