Scales shimmered at the edges of the princess’s face. A small frill took the place of her ears. She smiled at him, pushing greenish hair over her shoulder.. “Brittany says you’re good at resolving relationship problems. I was hoping you could help me with mine?”

Brittany, why? Mouse moaned internally. Externally, he smiled. “I am most certainly not, but I would be happy to listen if it would help.”

The mermaid beamed. “My name is Sela. It’s wonderful to finally meet you properly, Mouse. Thank you so much for agreeing to help.”

I never agreed to help! Mouse continued to smile, mostly because he had no idea what else to do.

“I met my beloved one day when I was sunning on a remote island. He circled overhead on broad, tawny wings, his perfect brown-and-white hair flying in the wind. An angel, truly. Well, avian is the proper term nowadays, but…”” She sighed, her eyes sparkling.

“Uh-huh,” Mouse said, half listening.

“He swooped down and scooped me up. With my tail hidden, I think he thought me a poor maiden, abandoned on that island! ‘Let’s get you back to shore,’ he whispered in my ear, holding me so close to those brawny pecs that I could hear his heartbeat, feel it against mine as it began to speed…”

Is this for real, or is she reciting a trashy romance tabloid? Mouse wondered to himself.

“Oh, I lost myself in his amber eyes, drawn into ther pools and washed like a pearl on the tides…” She sighed deeply, then shook her head. “When I came back to myself, he’d already left me on a beach and flown off again, and I forgot to ask him for his name, or give him mine! Can you imagine? The love of my life, my soulmate, to meet him only to lose him so soon.”

You literally didn’t say a single word to him, Mouse mocked silently. Aloud, he said, “Truly, what a sad tale. But I don’t see how I can help. You have no idea who or where he is, and I—”

“Not at all. I enlisted my cadre of fish friends and sent them across every ocean and up every waterway, and I found him. Not only that, but I’ve been following him all this time, watching as he drew closer. Oh, when I lost him a few nights ago, I was inconsolable, truly, horribly so, and then that wild magic fiasco happened… but! But then, then my fishy friends found him again!” Her eyes lit up, and a faint blush showed across her cheeks.

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Mouse backed away subconsciously. You stalked him all this time? Some guy you didn’t say a word to? That’s not concerning.

“Yes, that’s right! He’s here, right now! Mouse, please. You have to help me. Help him remember me. Help me make a wonderful second impression, one that will hold his heart forever, the way he holds mine.” She sighed dramatically and wilted, a hand to her chest.

“Listen, I don’t think…”

“I’ve been watching you, too. I saw you from the pond when you dumped the Crown Prince in the pile of shit. My little fishy friends swam all around when you did the moon ceremony in that pool outside the castle, and they saw everything. Mouse, please help me, okay?” Sela fluttered her eyelashes at him, big puppy-dog eyes shimmering.

Goddess above, is she threatening me? Fucking hell, I didn’t realize we had a grade-A stalker living in the palace ponds, Mouse thought to himself. He nodded slowly, afraid to move too fast.

Sela giggled. “Don’t worry, Mouse! Your secrets are safe with me. Right?”

“Right… Listen, I’ll help you meet this guy again, but I can’t guarantee anything else.”

“That’s okay! That’s okay. I just want to—I just want to make sure it goes well,” Sela emphasized.

Mouse frowned at her. “I’ll help you find him. The rest is up to you.”

“Of course, of course! Right. I’ll do my part. Please, just help me find him?” She fluttered her eyelashes at him again.

Narrowing his eyes, Mouse hesitated, then gave up and nodded. Find the guy, get the hell out before it blows up in her face. I don’t want her to stalk me as wrath for the guy being a jerk, or whatever else happens.

“Okay. This is what he looks like. And remember, make him remember me, okay? I want a good chance. A good chance.” Sela rifled through her bag and passed him a well-worn sheet of paper. On the front, an oddly-detailed drawing of a winged man with strong brows, dappled white-and-brown hair, and equally dappled wings stared into the middle distance nobly.

“Isn’t he perfect,” Sela said.

Mouse whirled. She stood on her tiptoes to peer over his shoulder, hovering barely over his shoulder so he wouldn’t feel it.

“Uh… do you want it… bac—”

Sela snatched the paper out of his hands. “So glad you decided to help me! Thanks so much, Mouse!”

Decided, nothing. Mouse twisted his lips into a smile. “Sure, sure.”

He sighed and looked around. Around him, princesses wandered while servants unpacked. Guess I have time, at least, before everyone unpacks. Might as well wander around town and see if I can find her poor victim, warn him to get the hell out of town while he can.