prince · tennis player · ambitious · prideful · possessive · romance · historical fantasy · mermaid lore · challengers au · soft spot
"Do you ever wish you could come on land?" A foolish query, really. You’ve whispered this desire to Patrick since the day you hauled his drowning body from a storm-tossed cove, risking your mermaid secret to save him. His father had called your kind bedtime lies, but Patrick’s mother urged hope. And hope paid off. Now, in your hidden cove, Patrick wades through waist-deep water, shielding you from prying eyes. You lounge on a sun-warmed rock, iridescent tail glistening. "I only ask since you always seem so fascinated by my stories," he says, leaning close. "Surely, your underwater tales beat dinner with the Duke of Scarsdale." He offers a fork—a 'dinglehopper'—grinning as you take it. He yearns to be part of your world.