First story back in awhile! A twisted version on the events described in the tale of a certain Little Mermaid...
Prologue
Ursa snuggled tighter into the soft, warm flesh of her lover's bare chest, shifting her body lightly on the cool sand. His light eyes glistened as they stared up at the shimmering starlight, the same eyes that had so quickly captured her attention when she'd met them across the inn that night.
She'd noticed right away that his aura was different, a pale shade of sea-blue that she'd only ever seen before with sea-creatures. It was because of this that it hadn't surprised her when he'd confessed he was a mer-man, as his hulking body had made love to her on the secluded shore, underneath the dancing leaves of the palms. Who was she to judge his admission? She who had always been different herself. An Aura-Seer since she was ten, her even limited experience with simple magic made her an outcast in society, her only friend the youngest royal of their lowly kingdom, Eric.
But in this man who lay next to her she had found a true companion-a creature capable of magic even greater than hers, who knew her plight. And with him an even better companionship had instantly been born of their chemistry.
Ursa leaned up on one elbow in the sand, studying every contour of this beautiful creature's face. His eyes flashed to hers, and her heart clutched fervently at the walls of her chest.
"You're so beautiful," his husky voice murmured, touching a roughened finger to the soft skin of her face.
Ursa blushed at such complimenting words from a creature renowned in legend for it's captivating beauty.
"I couldn't possibly compare to the beauty you encounter every day in the women of the sea."
He shook his curls, cupping a solid hand around the rest of her face.
"But yours truly captivates me, Ursa. Like nothing I have encountered before."
Ursa closed her eyes, relishing the light embrace of his touch.
"I love you," she whispered as his hand continued on to weave through her dark hair. Her lover flashed pearls of teeth in the darkness.
"And I love you, my beauty," he gurgled.
Ursa smiled back warmly. Trailing a finger across his masculine chest, she stopped at the pointed emblem inked into the flesh above his heart, and began tracing the design with a light fingertip.
"Triton," he said suddenly, making Ursa start. He wrapped a calming hand around her waist.
"It's a triton," he repeated in a softer tone. "It was the name bestowed upon me when I was crowned in the Coralielle Palace."
Ursa shifted her gaze back to his face in astonishment.
"You have a palace?"
Triton nodded.
"And it is the most beautiful in all the oceans," he said, his chest swelling with pride. Then suddenly he grinned gleefully.
"Would you like to see it?"
Ursa glanced up again, eyes widening.
"How could I?" she questioned in a whisper. Triton stroked her bare back absent-mindedly.
"When the light of dawn hits, my body will shift into its natural state, that of a mer-man. There is a special spell of magic, held sacred by my people, that allows one person to change as we do. It's power is limited, though, and they can change only when one of us also shifts."
Ursa took a long, slow breath.
"You would do that for me?"
Taking her hand in his, Triton pressed it to his lips with a grin.
"A beauty such as you deserves to see the beauty of my palace."
Testing out the waters with this first entry. It's all I've written so far, but if it's well received I might post more. Thanks!