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I squeezed Nemo’s arm. “I’m sorry to hear that. My uncle is a cruel and ruthless merman. I never liked him.”
More and more merfolk defected to our kingdom under his strict reign. But my father forced us to visit every year on the anniversary of my grandfather’s passing to commemorate his good name. Called it a way to keep the peace and to remind them of why the kingdom had been divided in the first place.
A huge grin lit up Nemo’s face, sweeping away any sorrow and brightening my heart.
“A squadron of your father’s men rescued my family and relocated us. I’ve been loyal to your father ever since.
“Listen to me.” Nemo slapped a large hand on his leg. “Blabbing more than a dory fish.”
“It’s okay,” I said, wanting to know more about this incredible guy.
“Nyssa,” he said, getting serious all of a sudden. “I’m sorry for being so forward before. Back in the ocean. You know. Kissing you.”
Whoa! Invite the elephant fish into the room here, why don’t you?
“Don’t be,” I said. “I liked it.”
Shellfish. Me and my big mouth again. I wasn’t supposed to be encouraging his affections. But part of me couldn’t help it. That side of me wanted to explore my attraction to him.
“You did?” His eyes sparkled, telling me I was in trouble. “I’ve got to tell you something. In the spirit of truth or dare.”
I leaned forward, curious to know what it was.
“Princess.” He seemed breathless for some reason. “I’ve admired you for years.”
His admission caught me off guard.Shellfish. Now, I really was in trouble. But the headstrong rebel in me didn’t care and opened the floodgate, unleashing the torrent.
“When the king built us homes, you were there at the ceremony,” he said. “You put a wreath around my neck. I told my mother you were the girl I’d marry. She told me that was a preposterous notion. But I said I’d prove her wrong.”
“Kids are so cute,” I said with a laugh.
My chest swelled with joy at knowing I’d touched his heart. Discovering he had feelings for me, had them for so long, had me soaring. A war battled inside me. I craved Nemo like I did Fin. Confusion, passion, and fear whirled in my mind. Despite everything, being this close to Nemo, seeing the way he smiled at me—as if no other mermaid existed—pushed all my doubts deep into the back of my mind.
He held up both palms. “I don’t say that to freak you out. I’m not a creepy stalker, I swear. But the boys already let the tuna out of the net. I just wanted to explain my crush on you.”
An image of Fin and me on the beach flashed in my mind. Then another of me piercing Nemo’s heart with his trident.Sea god. This was going to torture me until I admitted the truth. My head told me I should be honest with him. But after his recent admission, I wasn’t sure I could bring myself to break his heart…or mine.
So I said the worst and best thing possible. “I have a crush on you, too.”
Little fissures splintered through my heart. I hadn’t lied. But I wasn’t being totally honest, either, and it killed me to hide things from him.
Nemo leaned forward and grazed my lips with his. “I knew I’d marry you,” he joked, pulling me closer.
I succumbed to him, melting in his arms.
But those pesky visions persisted. They weren’t setting me free until I confessed my indiscretions with Fin.
“Nemo,” I said.
A mask of confusion swept across his face as I pushed him away.
“What I just said is true. But there’s something else I have to tell you.”
“Don’t tell me you’re going to marry that creep Faraall?” He flexed his pecs and made them twitch. “Over this handsome beast?”
Sea god, he was making this hard for me. “No.” A hiccupped laugh flew out of me. “I…I was intimate with Fin earlier.” My throat clogged up with that coral dust, preventing me from explaining further.
“What?” Nemo shuffled backward against the cave wall.
