Chapter 7

Lachlan

“I have no idea what I should wear.”

Paige stands in front of her closet, wearing just a silk slip, frantically looking through her dresses. I watch her, amused, sitting on the edge of her bed.

“Boo, it truly doesn’t matter. Murphy and Mair are just excited to meet you.”

“Prince Murphy. Princess Mair. How soon you forget.”

I laugh and pull her onto my lap.

“My beautiful Paige, they’re just people. Well, merpeople, whatever. And I think they’re more concerned about impressing my human girlfriend than anything else.”

Paige rolls her eyes and laughs.

“OK, fine, but I still need a dress that will go with the air mask I have to wear. I guess I should go the classic route. Little black dress it is.”

“Good choice. That will look good on the floor later tonight.”

My brother lives in the underwater capitol with his wife, twins, and her royal family. Our dinner is being held in an underwater cave where they can adjust the temperature to make it more comfortable for Paige. And Liora, who is invited as well as a thank you for her work.

Murphy and Mair greet us with love and warmth. Murphy relays that his father-in-law is pleased with the match and looks forward to Beck and Carlow finding mates as well.

We feast on lobster, clams, seaweed salad, and scallops. Seawater wine is aplenty and Paige is amazed at the unique flavor.

“Unfortunately, you cannot enjoy this on land. It spoils once it hits the air,” Mair shares as she pours us new glasses.

Liora takes her glass and stands up.

“I would like to toast the new couple. To true love, true partnership, and true connection!”

We clink glasses while laughing and continue to enjoy the evening.

Paige and I stand on the beach after dinner, looking out at the dark waves. The night has been perfect and the two of us have an air of satisfaction surrounding us. I had been waiting for the perfect moment and, here I was, suddenly standing in it.

I drop to one knee and take a box out of my jacket pocket.

“Lachlan!”

Paige’s hand flies to her mouth.

“Paige, I have never met a woman like you. You are absolute sunshine in human form. You have enriched my life in a way I could not have imagined a year ago. I am madly, passionately, desperately in love with you and I want to spend the rest of my days with you. Will you marry me?”

Tears fall down her cheeks and Paige exclaims, “Yes! Yes!”

I stand up and lift her into my arms. As I lower her, we kiss deeply.

“Before I put this ring on your finger, there is one more thing we need to do.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, I’m a merman. You’re a human. We will often find ourselves underwater. Since you are my true love, I can offer you my merman’s kiss. The kiss will protect you from drowning for the rest of your life.”

“Well then, come here, big fella.”

I place my hands on the sides of Paige’s face and draw her close to me. This kiss is like no other we have experienced so far or will ever experience again. I feel her skin’s temperature heat up in my hands and she feels like she is about to float into the air. When I break the seal, she stares up at me and mouths the word, “Wow.”