Sean's POV
As I swam alongside her, the moonlight casting a silvery glow over the water, I felt a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. She broke the silence first " I'm Savanna Raye. It's nice to meet you. She blushed and averted her gaze away from my eyes. "Hello, Savanna," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fluttering in my chest. "I'm Sean Wyren. King of the East Sea."
She looked taken aback for a moment, her eyes wide with surprise, but then a smile broke across her face, lighting up her features.
I could see Savanna bopping in the deep water, her curiosity evident in her bright eyes. I held my hand out to her, so she didn't have to work so hard to keep her head above the deep water. My tail plenty strong enough to keep us both afloat.
"What's it like being a king?" she had asked, her voice filled with genuine interest. I had smiled, thinking about the weight of the crown that rested on my head. "It's a lot of responsibility," I replied simply. "I oversee the well-being of my realm, ensure the balance of our ecosystems, and maintain the peace among the sea creatures."
She nodded, absorbing every word, her sandy blonde hair glistening in the moonlight. "Do you have everything you wanted being king and all?"
I paused, contemplating my answer. It was a question I'd asked myself countless times. "I'm still searching for a queen," I admitted, feeling the truth settle within me like the tide. "But the mermaids in my court… they often throw themselves at me, and it feels more like a game to them than anything sincere."
Savanna looked at me with a mix of sympathy and understanding. "That must be lonely," she said softly, her voice barely above the whisper of the waves.
"It can be," I replied, meeting her gaze. "There are times I feel isolated despite being surrounded by so many. I long for a connection that's genuine, someone who can see beyond my title, someone who values me for who I truly am."
She seemed to consider my words, her expression thoughtful. "What do you want in a queen?"
I took a breath, letting the salty air fill my lungs. "Someone who is strong yet compassionate, someone who understands the sea and respects its mysteries. Someone who isn't afraid to challenge me or stand by my side, not just as a figurehead, but as a partner."
As the moon rose higher in the night sky casting a silver glow around us. She was different, I could feel it. There was a depth to her that intrigued me, a spark of curiosity that matched my own. Perhaps this encounter was the start of something new, something I had been searching for all along.
I swam slowly to match her pace, the gentle rhythm of the water keeping us in sync.
I couldn't help but admire her as we moved together. Her eyes were a deep green, reminiscent of the trees that line the shore in the summer, and her lips were full and pink, like the coral I often encountered on my underwater travels. Her long, wavy hair flowed around her like strands of wet sand, shimmering in the silvery moonlight. She truly was breathtaking.
We glided through the water, the sea enveloping us in its embrace, and I found myself lost in the moment. It was rare to encounter someone like Savanna, someone who seemed so alive and curious about the world. I wondered what it was like for her on land, what dreams and fears she held close. It was strange to feel this connection, especially with a human, but something about her felt right.
"Do you always come here to collect shells during the sun set?" I asked knowing I've seen her here every evening for almost a month but eager to learn more about her, to understand the world she came from. Her laughter rang like music in the air, and I felt a warmth spread through me, a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time.
" Well, yes and no." She laughed and my heart fluttered in my chest like a bird trying to break free from a cage. "I've been collecting shells to make a self portrait using just shells and some glue for a project at my University. I just started at East Coast University, ECU, this autumn and I'm an art student as well as a business major. I'm an aspiring artist. One day I'll have my own Gallery and display all my artwork for everyone to admire". But this self portrait project is the first one. I have to make a lasting impression so I think I may be way over my head on this one." She said with a sigh. She seems amazing. Her ambition is adorable. "I CAN HELP YOU COLLECT SEASHELLS! Just tell me what colors to find." I cringe inwardly at myself I sounded like an excited dolphin at my loud out burst. I'm the King of the East Coast offering to help a human girl collect sea shells. I have staff to help with that. But something about her draws me to her. I want to spend more time with her I don't care what we're doing as long as it's with me and her. I'm broken out of my riptide spiraling mind by her giggling. Embarrassment flushes my cheeks. She smiles warmly. Her eyes closed and she opens them slowly looking at me trough her thick eyelashes. "That would be amazing! I would also like to spend more time with you." She saw right through me. My heart stopped and I stumbled on my words "So. umm next time it's a date. How about tomorrow evening?" She looked down at her hands and fiddled with her thumb nail. "Well I have class tomorrow and then work the closing shift at the diner." I must have looked devastated because she grabbed my hand and quickly added "but I'm free Friday after class we can meet here at 4pm and I don't have class in the morning. My dorms curfew isn't until 11pm so we can spend plenty of time together." I smiled. Then all of a sudden she looked terrified. "Curfew! Oh no. I have to go Sean I'm going to be late. I need to get home." She gasped as she seen how far away we were from shore. "oh no,I'll never swim back in time!" I didn't want her to leave ,a part of me wanted to take her back to my castle. I couldn't do that she had this drive and a dream. I didn't want to capture her ,well maybe I did but just her heart. Maybe she'd choose to stay with me one day. I grabbed her hand and swam at full speed ,towards the shore. Holding her hand tightly in my grasp while making sure to keep her head above water. We reached the shore in a matter of a minute and she collapsed in the sand. "Wow!" She exclaimed, her body trembled a little. That was just great I probably just ruined the only chance I had with her. Wait what am I thinking she's human we can't be together. My heart ached at that thought. Her voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "That was AMAZING! It felt like I was flying!" She yelled smiling and squatting down to reach my upper half giving me a hug in her soaking wet clothes with a grey long sleeve shirt that said ECU in green letters. Her shirt clinging to her body exposing her magnificent curves. "Goodnight Sean, will I see you Friday?" Pulling myself away from my thoughts about touching her curves. I look up at her gleaming bright seaweed green eyes. "Mhmmm at 4" was all I could say. I watched as she dashed up the beach grabbed a bag an towel. I watched until she was out of my sight already longing for her. She was going to break my heart one day I just knew it.