Cidaris glanced up at the top of the wall. The two men disappeared. “That was close,” he said grinning foolishly and dove under the water.

Baetica followed him under and grunted. “You need to learn to be quiet. While Rigel is apparently trying to impress Derrin, under different circumstances he wouldn’t hesitate to launch a harpoon at you.”

“Okay, but he didn’t.”

Nucello swam up beside them. “Perhaps it was a mistake to bring him.” He tilted his head in Cidaris’ direction drawing a scowl. “Better to have sent him home.”

“Hey, I’m the one who found the note. We wouldn’t know about this party if it wasn’t for me.”

“Nucello is right,” said Baetica. “Go home Cidaris. You’re done here.”

“Fine,” snapped Cidaris and swam off. He didn’t need them anyway. Those two thought they were better than him, but they were wrong. He glanced behind him, but the two mermen were lost in the onyx waters. He’d show them. There was a cave around here that went into Rigel’s grounds. He doubted Baetica or Nucello would think of it, if they even knew it was there.

And since Rigel knew they were in the waters below, he likely wouldn’t discuss something private on the balcony anymore. Perhaps he would by the mouth of the cave. Maybe I can learn what Derrin decides. That would teach them to underestimate me. He flicked his tail and swam back towards the shore letting the current pull him southwards.

It was difficult finding the cave in the dark, but after scraping his fin on the rocky shore and the barnacles and clams that lived there, he finally found the entrance. It was smaller than he remembered. In fact, he doubted Nucello or Baetica would even be able to fit in here anymore even if they did know about the cave. He scratched up his fin and chest further as he swam through the narrow passage. This will all be worth it if I learn something they don’t.

Quietly enough to even impress Baetica, Cidaris broke the surface of the water. The sound of water droplets splashing on the surface and the rocks echoed throughout the place. The only other sound was the quick patter of angry feet and a woman huffing in annoyance every few seconds. He glanced around and saw her dark silhouette near the mouth of the cave.

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Cidaris slipped closer to hear what she was saying. He opened his mouth in awe as the moon broke from behind a cloud and highlighted her dark form. She was the most beautiful creature his eyes had ever beheld. Kellia paled in comparison. Transfixed, he swam closer.

She wandered further into the cave and stepped out of her shoes. Her toes splashed the water and she sighed. Impulsively, he reached out and touched the sole of her foot as she swished it through the water.

The girl fell down as she backed away. He jumped halfway out of the water to cover her mouth before she could scream. “Please, I mean you no harm. It’s just, you are the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld, and I thought that if I could just touch your feet, I’d be happy.”

She gripped his hand and gently pulled it from her face. Her wide eyes stared at him with wonder as he slipped back into the pool. “Don’t go.”

Cidaris turned to face her. Her voice was like the musical tones of a blue whale’s song. She was holding out her hand to him. He placed his webbed palm against her smooth one. She gasped slightly. “Sorry. My hands aren’t as smooth as yours. But, if I’ve wounded you, I’ve heard humans say before that a kiss can make it better.”

She smiled. “I’m not injured.” She kneeled down on the rocky shore. “I’ve just never touched a merman before. You’re so cold.” She traced her fingers down his cheek. Warmth radiated through his body from her touch. Then she quickly pulled he hand back. She bit her lip and looked down at her hand. “Sorry. Now it’s my hands that are getting away from me.”

“It’s alright. I’m Cidaris.” He pulled himself further out of the water so his eyes were level with hers. A sweet scent he couldn’t name filled his nostrils. He breathed it in deeply.

Her hand touched his cheek again. He leaned forwards till her face filled his vision. She smiled and leaned into him. Her lips touched his with a jolt like an electric eel. He felt nearly drunk from the smell of her.

Slowly she pulled away. He gently traced her lips with his fingers. He wouldn’t mind doing that again.

“Raine!” A voice called from just outside the cave.

Cidaris pushed off the shore as Raine stumbled to her feet. “Yes nurse?”

“Your father is looking for you. Good gracious child, what happened to you? You’re all wet?”

“I slipped.”

Cidaris didn’t wait to hear the rest of the conversation and he sank beneath the surface and left the cave. Raine. Her name was a beautiful as she was.