Pretty in Pearls: A Forgive My Fins Novella (HarperTeen Impulse) by Tera Lynn Childs Page B

dancing.
    “Who, Riatus?” Do we really have to talk about him? I shrug. “He has no effect on my life whatsoever.”
    The band transitions to a new song, a slower song, and before I can think Prax has his arms around my waist and is pulling me closer. I force myself to relax. It’s just a dance.
    “You’re better than him,” he says.
    I smile, even though I’m cringing inside. “Than who?”
    He gives me a wry look. “Pirate boy. He’s bad news.”
    I don’t say, “He said the same thing about you.”
    My gaze drifts to the merboy in question. As much as I want to believe that—not liking him would be so much easier if I really thought he was trouble—my gut says he’s not. I mean, how bad can he be if he’s escorting his younger sister to the Sea Harvest Dance?
    I glance their way. She looks like she’s having the time of her life. This could even be her first dance. She should be having a great time.
    Riatus, on the other hand, is fuming.
    I turn away before he catches me looking.
    “Let’s talk about something else,” I say. Anything else.
    “I’d love to,” Prax says, his gaze trained back over my shoulder. “But I don’t think that’s possible.”
    Before I can ask what he means, I feel a tap on my shoulder.
    “Mind if I cut in?”
    Prax releases me and I float to his side. This is supposed to be where I make a joke, pretend to think Riatus means he wants to dance with Prax and not me. But I’m not feeling very funny right now. I’m tired. Tired of this back and forth, of not knowing where I stand or what he wants from me.
    I’m tired of being the toy in the middle.
    “Actually, I do mind,” I say. “I’m having a lovely dance and you are not welcome.”
    As I turn away from him, I see his brows drop and his jaw muscles twitch. I’m sure the smirk on Prax’s face isn’t helping. His arms are back around my waist in an instant, and he pulls me even tighter against him.
    I wiggle a little, trying to put some space between us, but he holds firm.
    “I can’t breathe.” It’s an exaggeration, but I’m starting to feel a little claustrophobic.
    “This is perfect,” Prax replies. “He’s going apoplectic.”
    “Seriously,” I whisper furiously. “Ease off.”
    He does the opposite, squeezing tighter as his hands drift down from my waist.
    I stop playing nice and brace my palms against his shoulder. I push with all my strength, but he doesn’t budge.
    I’m about to resort to something underhanded—biting, maybe, or a tail fin to the tenders—when suddenly he’s whirling me away from him.
    He grins. “This is going to be good.”
    “I warned you,” Riatus says, and at first I think he’s talking to me. “I warned you to stay away from her. From both of them.”
    Riatus faces off with him, floating just inches apart. His hands are clenched into fists and he looks ready to tackle Prax.
    The crowd around us inches away, leaving the three of us in an open circle. I see Lily swim up to the edge and give me a questioning look. As if I have any idea what’s going on here.
    Prax spreads his arms wide. “It’s a free kingdom. A mergirl can dance with whoever she wants.”
    Riatus shrugs. “That’s true. And I guess I’m free to tell her just what kind of guy you really are.”
    “Who’s the one with a record?” Prax taunts.
    “I’m sure you’ll have one soon enough.”
    Prax is swinging before Riatus finishes his sentence. Riatus dodges right and the punch misses, swooshing through open water. Before Prax can recover, Riatus lands a solid hit to his jaw. Prax goes sailing, flipping end over end into the crowd.
    When he rights himself, he says, “You’ll regret that.”
    “You know what?” Riatus shakes out his hand. “I don’t think I will.”
    The crowd parts and a pair of royal guards swim into the circle. I recognize them from the palace.
    “What’s the trouble here?” one asks.
    Prax points at Riatus. “That jackfish just assaulted me.” He holds both