Her Little Mermaid

The deck of the cruise ship was crowded with passengers enjoying the bright morning sun. Everyone wanted to watch as they exited the port, passing under a shiny, silver suspension bridge before turning out to sea. The calm, blue waters were disturbed by a pod of dolphins and shouts of joy from the railings brought the mob crowding to one side of the boat to watch the aquatic creatures.

Below deck at a little tiki themed bar sat one brunette who had no interest in squealing with the sunburnt masses. She’d barely made it through the safety briefing without punching someone.

Anna tossed her long, brown hair over her shoulder as she flagged the bartender for another drink. He flashed his thousand watt smile and nodded. Turning on her stool, she was jarred again by the banana leaf patterned walls, but fit the cliche theme. She crossed her tan legs and kicked one flat off the heel of her foot, dangling it on her toe.

In her head, her mother’s voice rang sharp, Anna, stop fidgeting! A lady sits still and straight to attract a mate. She snorted at the rhyme her mother drilled into her from age seven. Well that really worked out for me didn’t it, Mom. I’ve been sitting still for twenty-two years and look how that worked out for me!

The bartender slid her martini over and Anna took a big sip. She silently thanked herself for buying the unlimited drink package as more alcohol hit her system. While she let the gin marinate her insides, an older couple took up the two seats to her left. Anna scowled, not happy that the two had invaded her space. Unfortunately, after ordering, the woman decided to strike up a conversation.

“Hello dear! You look like you’re already having fun!” Her thick gray curls stuck up at all angles, obviously windblown from the deck.

Anna responded with a curt nod.

The woman continued undeterred, “Are you celebrating?”

“Yup.”

“Oh, us too! It’s our fortieth wedding anniversary!” She looked dewy-eyed at the old man. “What are you celebrating then?”

“The end of my engagement.” Anna took another long pull of her drink without looking at the couple.

“Oh, oh dear. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not.”

“Well, you’re young.” The gentleman piped up. “I’m sure you’ll find another young man to treat you right.”

Anna rolled her eyes, “God, I hope not.” She tossed her head back and downed her martini. With a little shiver, she flagged the bartender a salute.

“Don’t say that honey. I’m sure there are lots of nice men out there. I saw quite a few on this boat!”

The brunette stood, “Well since I’m gayer than glitter skates at a roller derby, I hope none of them talk to me.”

She strode out of the bar leaving Fred and Ethel gaping and the bartender chuckling.

The cabin she’d chosen for herself, well for herself and Ruby, was near the front of the ship and had a private balcony. The room was compact, the bathroom even more so, but it was the best she could afford on this ship. Well, it was the most she was willing to spend anyway. Ruby was always frustrated with her money-saving habits. This trip, this honeymoon, had been a joint decision after months and months of begging by her less frugal fiancee.

And even after giving in, the woman still left her.

“Stop it, Anna,” she scolded herself. “You promised you wouldn’t think about that here. This is a vacation and we’re going to fucking enjoy it.”

She flopped onto the stiff bed and let the ship and alcohol lull her to sleep.

Three hours later, she woke with a start when the cruise director’s muffled voice slipped under her door from the hall intercom.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! The ring-toss competition will be starting on the main pool deck in fifteen minutes. Our dinner service will begin with the five o’clock guests in the Geranium Dining Room with eight o’clock service after. Remember that the buffet is on the lido deck and is open twenty-four hours. We hope you enjoy your first day at sea. Happy sailing!”

Anna groaned and rolled over onto her stomach. She was supposed to be with the eight o’clock diners, but sitting by herself with six to eight other strangers just didn’t sound appealing. Neither did putting on real pants.

She forced herself up to at least go enjoy some sun. Slipping her pencil skirt and blouse off, she stretched her long body. Her hands grazed the ceiling and a wall as she stretched in the small space. Her blue bikini, purchased as a set with one she’d never get to see now, fit perfectly on her lean body. Ruby had chosen it just as she had chosen a hot pink one for her more voluptuous ex-fiancee. Anna sighed.

“Okay, Anna. You can miss her ass, but you don’t miss her!” She told herself.

The main pool deck was absolute chaos. People danced, some were playing games, kids were screaming, and everyone was drinking. There was indeed some sort of ring-tossing game going on by the pool’s edge, so Anna avoided that and headed to the bar.

Four drinks later, she crashed into a deck chair at the back of the ship while trying to find the “adults-only” section. The shrieking children had finally broken her down. It was another thing Ruby launched at her in their final fight. Anna didn’t want kids, Ruby did. She stubbed her toe on the chair before collapsing into it.

Anna didn’t remember falling asleep again but a server gently shook her awake.

“Madam? The deck is closing for cleaning soon. Would you like someone to escort you up for dinner?”

The chill sea breeze and dark purple sky let Anna know she had crashed hard from her drinks. “No, no. I’ll just go inside.” She gestured to the buffet area behind her.

“Of course, Madam. Enjoy your evening.”

Anna stood with a little wobble and leaned far over the railing to peer into the churning waters below. She shuddered to think of the dark sea. Of falling in and being left behind to sink in the inky depths.

Stumbling into the buffet, she managed to locate a salad and a croissant. Ruby’s voice nagged her, Baby, you have to eat more than that. Put some protein on your plate for god sakes. She took a big bite of spinach and rolled her eyes. It frustrated and saddened her that she was still hearing her fiancee’s concern all these months later.

“She doesn’t care what you eat now, Anna,” she mumbled.

“I’m sorry, did you say something?” A large man stopped as he passed.

“Nope.”

“Oh, I thought I heard you talking to me. Name’s Nate. It’s my first cruise! What about you, eh?”

Anna looked up at this man. He had a thick midwest accent, was at least six foot two and had to weigh well over three hundred pounds. His shaggy blond hair and blue eyes screamed ‘aging all-American boy’.

“Yup, this is my first one too.”

Nate smiled wide, his chubby cheeks sporting tiny dimples, “Well the food is to die for, dontcha think? You gotta try the ribs over there. Oh, and the pizza is loaded with sausage.”

“I’m a vegetarian.”

“Oh,” his smile faltered. “Well, uh, looks like you got yourself a good plate there, eh. Have a good dinner, uh…”

“Meredith.”

“Oh nice! My cousin’s friends mom’s name is Meredith! Have a good salad, Mere! Seeya ’round!”

When Nate trundled away, Anna let her head hit the table with a clank. Why had she thought this was a good idea? A cruise by herself?! Ruby was the people person, the chatterbox. Anna was the smile and nod type or the completely-ignore-people type. She dumped the remainder of her salad on a busser tray and retreated to her cabin.

Unfortunately her alcohol-induced nap made it impossible to sleep. So she popped open one of the two bottles of wine she was allowed to bring on board and went out to the balcony. The horizon was visible only because of the halfmoon that shone in the sky. The twinkling stars captivated her attention as the waves crashed around the ship. A cool breeze blew her hair away from her face as she leaned over the edge. The same uneasy feeling of falling into blackness settled into her stomach.

Slowly, the wine flooded her system as the waters churned and the earth rotated for a different view of the stars. It was getting late and she was nearing the end of her bottle, eyes drooping. Suddenly, a flash of silver caught her eye in the waters below. Anna bent further over the rail as it appeared to siddle along the ship.

“A dolphin?”

When the creature breached the surface right near the red hull of the boat, Anna dropped her bottle. A girl?! A white face peered up at her in the moonlight. Startlingly blue eyes widened in surprise. Then, a single note, like something out of the sweetest lullaby pierced the sound of the waves.

Anna woke up in her deck chair, with a stiff neck. The moon had set, but the horizon was still dark with no sign of sunrise. She stumbled to the door, shivering, and entered her cabin. A hollow clunk let her know she’d tripped over the empty wine bottle as she slid inside. Stripping off her cover up and bikini, Anna collapsed into bed and passed out again.

When she woke the second time, her head and throat were screaming at her. She tumbled naked to the floor and crawled into the bathroom. Freezing cold water blasted her in the face as soon as she turned the nozzle. Holding back a scream, she opened her mouth to drink as she huddled on the cold fiberglass floor. Then she panicked, was ship bathroom water drinkable? She sputtered and spat, then turned off the tap.

“Well, Anna. You are officially your mother. Wine drunk, alone, and bitter. The lying on your bathroom floor is probably new though. Mom would never do that.”

She shifted her weight to her feet and leaned against the door jam. The bathroom mirror reflected a haggard-looking young woman with eye bags, stringy wet hair, and smeared lipstick.

“Lovely. You definitely won’t die alone now.”

A knock on the door pulled her from her self-loathing.

“Housekeeping!”

“Just a moment!”

She hobbled to her suitcase and pulled out a big, fluffy robe. The tie for the waist got caught around her calf as she hopped to the door. Finally tying it tight she threw open the cabin door to admit a smiling woman with a thick eastern European accent.

“Good afternoon! I am Amy, I will be servicing your room.” Anna’s eyes caught on the woman’s name tag which did indeed say, “Amy, Bulgaria”. She quickly assumed “Amy” was not the woman’s real name.

“”Thank you! Um, I don’t really need anything at the moment.”

“No? I can retrieve you fresh towels. I am sure you two could use more.”

“It’s just me. So I’m good on towels. Thanks.”

“Oh, uh, I am sorry. I thought two persons were to occupy this room.”

“There were. She didn’t come.”

“Ahh, I see this. Please accept my apology. Do you have any trash you would like me to dispose of?”

“Oh, yeah.” Anna went to the veranda and grabbed the empty wine bottle. Pushing it into Amy’s hands with a tight smile. “That’s it. Thanks so much.”

Anna’s fake smile was clearly off-putting for the housekeeper. Her own smile faltered as she took the bottle. “Ye-yes. Of course. Please alert me if you need anything else.” She turned as Anna let the door swing closed.

Anna returned to the bathroom. “Okay, first day was bad. Let’s see if you can get it together for day two.”

Unfortunately, day two proved to be worse despite sleeping in so late. She was hit on by a bachelor party on the pool deck, had wine spilled on her by a clumsy, drunk twenty-something, and bit her tongue while trying to eat a cheese sandwich at dinner. She returned to her cabin around seven, drank half of her second bottle of wine and passed out naked on the bed.

Day three began with a far too cheery voice yanking her from her slumber.

“Goooood morning everyone! Welcome to day three! Today we will begin ferrying to the island at oh-eight hundred hours. This is our private island so feel free to explore all of the beaches. Our barbecue pits will fire up at noon for an outdoor luau. Those that have signed up for the snorkeling excursions should meet your group on deck seven. Please remember that you need your ID card to get on and off the boat and the last ferry returns at eleven o’clock local time after the celebration bonfire. Happy sailing!”

Anna scowled at the sunshine streaming through the door. She rolled off the bed to find her bottle of aspirin and swallowed two pills. Again, her image in the mirror was pathetic.

“That’s enough, Anna,” she scolded her blurry reflection. “You are a lady! Fucking act like it.”

Forty-five minutes later, the woman who exited Anna’s room looked nothing like the drowned rat who’d practically crawled her way in the night before.

This Anna was wearing a white cover up that came alarmingly high on her slim thighs. Her hair was dried and curled in soft rolling waves around her face. The crimson lipstick she wore pulled all attention to her mouth and a wide brimmed hat was perched askew on her head. She strode down the hall in her designer sandals and pulled a set of shiny sunglasses from her bag as she approached the ferry deck.

“Right this way, madam.”

The island was everything the brochures promised. White sand beaches, warm teal waters, and, most importantly, ample space for the passengers to spread out. Anna found a palm tree of her own at the far end of a deserted beach. The lone beach chair under it looked so inviting. As she approached, she caught a splash out of the corner of her eye and heard an excited little girl yell.

“Mommy! A dolphin! Did you see it? A real life dolphin!”

A dolphin?

Suddenly, a fuzzy memory pierced her mind. Not a dolphin, but a girl in the water below her veranda. A girl with a pale face and beautiful voice. She had sung to Anna, hadn’t she? A lullaby. No, a love song? She couldn’t be sure. The more Anna tried to process the memory, the more of it slipped away. Like trying to cup water in your hands, eventually only a few drops remain.

Anna shook her head to clear it, then took up the chair and retrieved her book. The ocean waves, light breeze, and flecks of sunlight truly felt like paradise.

After a little while of reading, the barbecue lured her over. Grilled pineapple, salad, and fruit was a pleasant surprise for the vegetarian.

Walking back to her shady spot, she heard more cries of “Dolphin!” from people along the beach. Anna lifted her sunglasses to look, but didn’t catch the animals in the water.

As she looked out over the water, she could see the cruise ship splitting the smooth horizon. It looked huge from her perspective. She shook her head at the opulence she was indulging in.

The sun was high in the sky and it was heating up the island to truly tropical temperatures. Anna removed her hat and cover up to walk in the water. It was warm, sandy, and clear. She watched a few little fish flit away from her legs as she went deeper.

Turning back to the island, a flash of silver to her left among some rocks and bushes caught her attention. Hoping to spy a dolphin and not a shark, Anna stepped closer cautiously. Although, if it is a shark, maybe it will put me out of my misery, she thought darkly.

As she closed in on the little, hidden cove, a tail slipped out of the water and sprayed her with saltwater.

“Arrg!” she spluttered and wiped her sunglasses.

“Oh, I’m sorry!”

Anna took her glasses off and wiped them on her bikini top. “No no, it’s fine. I’m in the water after all, gotta expect a little splashing.”

“True,” giggled the woman. “But I know you surfacers like to keep your heads dry.”

Anna nodded as she finished wiping her glasses, “Yes we do. I actua-” her voice choked off as she slowly looked up from her hands.

Before her sat a pale woman, she was so fair that parts of her skin looked blue like the veins underneath, especially around her bare breasts. Her hair was long and white-blonde, with bits of colorful shells woven in. But all this escaped Anna’s notice in a millisecond as her powerful, dolphin-like tail slapped the shallow water.

“Holy SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT SHIT SHIT!” Anna’s voice went hoarse with her shrieks.

The pale woman looked horrified and motioned for Anna to keep quiet, but Anna kept yelling. Suddenly the blonde opened her mouth and emitted a few high, beautiful notes. Anna’s voice died away and her head sagged as she slipped sideways in the water. Strong, petite arms caught her before she went under. A light snore escaped her lips as the swimming woman supported her.

She swam Anna into the cove, listening for any signs of them being followed. When none came, she found a small sandy bank to lay the taller woman out. Her tan legs fell at odd angles and the mermaid cocked her head at the blue fabric she decorated herself with. Surfacers always decorated themselves in the strangest ways, but it must help them attract mates because they only seemed to be multiplying.

The mermaid sang two quiet notes and Anna stirred.

“Wha- where am I? Who are you?” Anna thought the woman lying beside her looked familiar, but somehow not, like she was from a dream not reality. Her pale, full lips curved in a smile, her teeth just a touch sharp, her tail a pale gray like a cloudy sky. Wait. Her tail?!

Anna made to scream again, but the mermaid put her hand over her mouth. “Please don’t shout or I will have to sing you to sleep again.”

The human whimpered as the strong fingers clamped over her lips.

“It’s alright. I will not hurt you. You are very beautiful. I have been watching you aboard your ship. I came to see you closer and to touch you.”

Anna’s eyebrows shot up to her hairline. “Whashamansyoucjme?”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t understand that.”

Anna pried the cold, webbed fingers away from her mouth, “What do you mean touch me?”

The mermaid smiled, “Intimately.”

The brunette balked. “What, I mean, how….where did, wait, why-”

“Is there a question in there or are you uncomfortable speaking English? I can speak Spanish or French if you like. But if there are more surfacer languages than that I do not know them.” The mermaid waited expectantly.

“Yo- you don’t have scales.”

The mermaid giggled, “Of course I don’t! I’m not a fish.”

“But mermaids are part fish…they’re supposed to have scales.”

“Oh? Met many other mermaids have you?”

“N-no, not at all.”

The mermaid smirked, “Then I think you should take my word for it.”

“Right,” Anna still stared at the dolphin-like tail. “Sorry. How can you speak English?”

“A sailor taught me. He washed ashore on an island not too far from here and I helped him fish. He taught me English and French before his death.”

“D-death?”

“Yes, he grew quite old. You surfacers age quickly. I think it has to do with being so exposed to the sun.” The mermaid looked off into the distance, musing over her thoughts.

“P-pardon, but how long do you live?”

“Oh, we don’t keep time like you do. My sailor tried to explain it to me, but it doesn’t make sense. How can you count by the sun and moon when they are not always in the sky?”

Anna didn’t know how to answer this so she changed topics. “What is your name?”

The mermaid giggled, “Oh you can’t pronounce it. My sailor tried, but he couldn’t vibrate his vocal cords correctly. He chose to call me Isolde. You may call me the same.”

“Isolde? Isn’t that an old fashioned name?”

Isolde shrugged, “I do not know. What are you called?”

“I’m Anna.”

“Anna,” she repeated. “I like that. It’s simple. May I touch you, Anna?”

The brunette opened and closed her mouth several times, gaping at the blunt question. The mermaid quirked her brow.

“I believe you are the one who is part fish. What are you trying to say?”

“Yo-you don’t usually go around touching people you’ve just met,”Anna stuttered.

The mermaid frowned, “You don’t?”

“No! That’s usually just for partners.”

“Oh!” Isolde slapped her tail, “You mean mates, yes? I do not have a mate. The ones in my village were ugly and cruel. I prefer surfacers.”

Anna didn’t bother to contain her shock. “Have you touched a lot of people?”

Isolde shrugged, “My sailor and my princess.”

“Your princess?”

“She was not royalty, but she taught me Spanish. She escaped from a ship when it stopped near my village. I pulled her out of the Deepening Pools before the squid got her.”

“I’m sorry, what?!”

Isolde shook her head, “Are you sure you’re comfortable with English?”

Anna rolled her eyes, “Of course I speak English, just some things you talk about…I have no reference for.”

“I see.”

They sat for a moment, both eying each other. Anna was trying to convince herself she hadn’t gone crazy, Isolde was just admiring. Finally, the mermaid broke the silence.

“Your stripes are beautiful.”

“I- I don’t have stripes,” Anna furrowed her brow.

Isolde nodded enthusiastically. “Yes you do! Here and here.” Her fingers traced long, swirling patterns down Anna’s arms and sides. “Can you not see them?”

Anna leaned into the soft caress, “No, I can’t,” she whispered.

“Hmm… maybe it’s because I have underwater eyes and you have surfacer eyes.”

“Maybe.”

The little mermaid’s fingers continued to trace patterns on the tan woman’s skin. She ran them up Anna’s neck and under her chin. The brunette shivered and let her eyes close. She felt her touch brush down her back then around her hip and over her thigh. Soft fingertips grazed the muscles inside her thigh, causing a light gasp to escape Anna’s lips.

“Can I touch you more?” Isolde’s voice was low and garbled. Anna opened her eyes to fall into the deep blue pools of the mermaid’s gaze. She nodded dreamily. Fingers traced the skimpy bikini top and pulled at the tie along the back of her neck. Suddenly, the knot released and Anna’s perky breasts sprang free. Isolde groaned and threw her legs over Anna’s body, pinning her to the sand.

Wait. Legs?

“Isolde! Wh- where’s your tail?”

The former mermaid smiled, “I don’t need it right now. I need legs. So I have legs.”

“Oh, right. Simple.”

Isolde giggled, “Come here silly Anna. I want to kiss you.”

To Anna’s surprise, Isolde dove for her breasts and sucked a nipple into her mouth. She moaned as the mermaid used her mouth and fingers all over her chest. Little red marks bloomed on the taller woman’s skin as the mermaid sucked and nibbled. She kissed up her jaw and paused to catch Anna’s eyes. Then her plump pink lips covered red ones as they stared into each other’s eyes. Isolde’s were the first to close as Anna’s tongue pressed into her mouth.

Anna felt the sharper teeth and the stronger tongue. It was foreign and familiar. Alien and comfortable. She moaned as Isolde ground her hips down. The mermaid’s soft, hairless mound pressed onto her thigh, causing Anna to feel the dampness on her skin. She pulled her mouth away to look down and see more of the mermaid-turned-woman.

Isolde’s legs were the same pale palette as the rest of her body with blue veins appearing through thin skin. Her entire frame was smaller than Anna’s but filled with raw power. Her muscles were toned under a fine layer of plumpness. Anna thought briefly of a 1940s pinup girl with the way Isolde’s soft curves still revealed the muscle underneath.

Anna found herself pinned to the sand as a pale hand separated her thighs and dove straight for their mark. She cried out when Isolde hit her clit, rubbing circles over the nub before dipping lower. The brunette squirmed as her bikini bottoms were swept aside to make way for fingers to enter her vagina. Isolde didn’t tease her folds or pause to toy with her, she drove in straight for her goal. Two fingers deep in Anna’s pussy.

“Oh shit!” Anna moaned. “You don’t waste time!”

Isolde grinned, “I told you what I wanted. I want to touch you and feel you.” Her tongue came out and licked Anna’s neck from shoulder or earlobe. “It has been too long since I’ve felt a woman cum undone. You will cum for me, Anna.”

Anna groaned as fingers explored her then began a slow rhythm in and out of her. The nibbling on her neck, the push of the fingers in her cunt, and the roughness of the sand on her ass drove her mad. She’d never let go like this. One night stands were not her mode of operation. She rocked into the hands holding her with a strange, wild abandon.

“Yes, yes!”

Her orgasm came like a tidal wave from her toes to her hair. Everything felt electric.

“Good, cum for me, beautiful Anna.”

Squeezing her eyes closed, the brunette kept cumming all over the mermaid’s hand. Her body shook and finally gave out as every muscle released onto the sand. Isolde stopped her head from hitting the shore too hard, cradling her surfacer in her arms.

“Wow,” Anna gasped when she successfully forced her eyes open. Her eyes went wider when she was greeted with the sight of Isolde licking her fingers.

“You taste amazing,” she moaned. Then before Anna could prepare, Isolde dove forward and buried her face between her legs. She cried out as the mermaid’s tongue flicked back-and-forth across her clit. Her fingers immediately threaded into the blonde hair, her little finger brushing a pale seashell.

“Isoooooolde!” she moaned as the mermaid licked furiously. Then two fingers pressed into her again and Anna thrust her hips forward in response.

The wiggly surfacer tasted salty and sweet to the blonde. She couldn’t get enough of the moans either. She’d missed surface talk and hearing the higher frequency of birds and wind. The fingers tangled in her hair began to pull her in tighter and Isolde knew her brunette was going to cum. Flicking her tongue faster over her hard pearl caused the final release. Anna gushed over Isolde’s fingers and chin, whimpering her name as she climaxed.

Keeping her fingers deep inside, Isolde shifted up to kiss Anna’s stomach, then nipples, and finally her throat. Anna’s breathing evened out as the mermaid slowly withdrew her fingers again. Her legs fell to the side, complete jelly. Isolde laughed when she saw the dazed look on the surface woman’s face.

“Did you enjoy that?”

Anna’s answer came as a gasp, “Yes!”

“Good. Let’s go again-”

“Whoa!” Anna blocked Isolde’s head as she dove for her clit once more. “I need a moment. You made me a little oversensitive.”

“Two rounds and you are done? Surfacers have changed quite a lot since my princess.”

“Hey now! I bet you couldn’t go more rounds than that.”

Isolde flashed an evil smile, “Try me.” Her legs fell open and Anna saw the pretty pink of her folds glistening with arousal.

Licking her lips like a hungry predator, Anna crawled down the sand and pulled Isolde’s pale legs over her shoulders. She threw a glance over toward the beach, but nothing could be seen from their alcove, so she turned back to the wet pussy in front of her. She pushed a tentative lick out into the mermaid’s center. The flavor that hit her was salt and sunshine, like she could taste the heat of the sun’s rays on the water. Confidently, she drove forward, licking and sucking every soft circle of flesh.

Isolde grinned at the first hesitant lick, that was how her princess had started too. But then, Anna surprised her. A hot tongue enveloped her pearl before it slipped into her. The strong muscle attacked all of the right places as the mermaid felt herself quickly losing control. She moaned when Anna gripped her thighs tighter and focused her tongue on one spot. Isolde came apart quickly and hard with a breathy shout, but the surface woman didn’t stop.

She clamped the wiggly thighs harder and drove her tongue deeper. Anna didn’t need to use her fingers, the woman under her was already on her way to her second orgasm. The pale fingers were vice-like in her hair and the mermaid’s chest was beet red. When Anna backed off to tease her, the noise Isolde emitted was nothing of the surface world. She let out a string of sounds that Anna could not interpret except that they were clearly curses.

“Do NOT tease me you-”

Anna didn’t let her finish the threat as she applied her whole tongue to the mermaid’s clit and watched her orgasm come crashing around both of them. Isolde shook and screeched, alternating between pushing Anna away and pulling her closer. After a solid minute, she finally relaxed, her arms and legs falling into the soft sand.

“What, are you done after two rounds?” Anna teased while kissing the inside of her thigh.

Isolde picked her head up out of the sand to look at Anna over the swell of her breasts. “I underestimated you, but no, I am not done. I’ve gone without for far too long to stop now.”

Anna pulled herself up over the mermaid’s stomach and rested there a moment, “How long? I mean, I know you said you don’t understand, uh, surfacer time, but can you give me an idea?”

The mermaid thought for a moment. “My princess spoke Spanish. She escaped from a wooden ship, not a shiny one like yours. She was brought over as a new bride, against her will, and she was with child.”

Anna’s eyes went wide. “She was pregnant?”

Isolde nodded, “We raised our daughter together until she was an old woman. Both are buried on our island as is the custom for surfacers.”

“Oh, Isolde. I- I’m so sorry.”

“It was a long time ago. But she was the last I had. My princesa.” The mermaid had a misty look in her eye for just a moment before shaking her head. “But now I have found an Anna! Will you stay with me?”

The brunette’s mouth popped open in a perfect ‘O’. “Oh, um, well I- I don’t live here. I mean, that’s not my ship. I can’t just leave it. They have to bring me back.”

Isolde cocked her head, “Do you also have a husband bringing you to the new world?”

“No, no, nothing like that. I’m on vacation. A trip. You see, it was supposed to be my honeymoon but my fiancee…well, she left me.”

“And why would she leave a beautiful woman like you?”

Anna blushed, “I have my fair share of problems. She just got tired of it.” She sat up and looked out over the water. “Trust me, you don’t want to jump on this crazy train. I’ve got enough issues on my own.”

“What is a crazy train?”

Anna laughed, “Oh it’s just a saying. Meaning I am a mess and no one would want me around for too long.”

The mermaid shrugged, “But of course I want you around! We will get to know each other and help each other. Relationships are all both ways, yes? I help you and you help me.”

“Symbiotic.”

“Cymbals odic?”

“No no,” Anna giggled, “symbiotic relationships are when both species benefit from working or living together.”

“There we go. Anna, will you be in a symbiotic relationship with me?”

The human woman bit her lip as she looked back over her shoulder at the naked blonde lying out on the white sand. Thoughts of her life slipped in and out like waves on the shore. She thought of her job and her tiny, cramped apartment near Daytona Beach. She thought of her friends, well, Ruby’s friends, who she no longer spoke to. Memories of her mother disowning her at nineteen when she came out. Everything, in short, that drove her to guzzling overpriced drinks on a cheesy cruise ship all alone.

What have I got to lose?

“Alright, but I can’t stay now. I have to get back on the ship tonight and finish the trip.”

Isolde lit up, she hopped off the sand and crashed into Anna with a sweaty hug. “You will love the island! It is like here, but fewer people and many more birds. I have not been in many years, but I know the house is still there. It was made with the most beautiful shells and rocks. And we can plant the garden again! Oh dear Anna, you have made me so happy.”

Anna hugged the mermaid back, but hesitated, “Where is this island? How will I find it?”

Isolde seemed to deflate, but she quickly rallied, “I will go with you on your boat, then we can seek the island together after your trip ends.”

“You can’t just come back to the ship with me. You have to have an ID, a passport.”

“Okay, where do I get those?”

Anna sighed, “It’s something the government issues, you can’t just pick one up. Well, I suppose somewhere you could, but I don’t know where to find those kinds of people. Prison maybe?”

Isolde put her hands on the brunette’s shoulders. “Be calm, my Anna. I will follow you back in the water, then when it is dark, I will climb up to your window.”

“That could work,” she paused. “We’ll have to be very careful not to be seen.”

“I have all of the care,” the mermaid winked.

_ _

It actually turned out to be quite easy to sneak Isolde in once the ship was quiet. Around two in the morning, Anna went to her balcony. The cruise ship was preparing to depart for their next stop and they could hear the roar of the engines starting. Anna caught the end of a rope Isolde had found. It was thick, old, and slimy, but strong. She dragged the end inside and tied it to the bed frame which only had two legs and was attached to the wall. Isolde climbed partway up with just her arms, tail slapping the hull, then used her feet once they appeared. She slipped naked and wet over the railing to Anna’s veranda and the two women hauled up the rope and stored it in a drawer.

“Now what?” Anna asked after helping the mermaid dry off.

Isolde smirked and pushed her new friend back onto the bed. She hiked her legs up by holding her ankles and spread them apart. “Now I’m going to lick you.”

Anna keened when Isolde’s tongue hit her. The way the powerful muscle snaked into and around her pussy felt alien. It was longer and stronger than any human tongue Anna had felt. She threw her hands out to brace herself on the bed as Isolde owned her folds. When she came it was silent and intense with every muscle in her body convulsing in response.

She didn’t collapse this time though, the brunette wanted to have more of her mermaid. Tensing her muscles again, she freed herself from Isolde’s grasp and pulled her up onto the bed before climbing on top. She gripped Isolde into a half sitting position then entwined their legs and mashed their pussies together.

Isolde moaned in appreciation at the new position. They began rocking together, fingers gripping and pinching, legs tensing. Anna’s clit pressed onto Isolde’s as they both shuddered with pleasure. They continued to rock as the mermaid neared her peak, gasping with every pleasurable thrust. Isolde squeezed her eyes closed and pulled Anna closer as her orgasm began to crash through her. Suddenly, Anna felt sharp teeth on her collarbone as the mermaid’s pussy spasmed and squirted beneath her.

When they pulled apart, the blonde had left a tiny bite mark and larger hickey on her partner’s neck. Anna saw it and grinned while the mermaid looked sheepish.

“I am sorry for biting you.”

“No, don’t apologize. I’m into it,” Anna winked.

They fell together onto the soft bed, tangled up in the limited space. Anna’s head rested on Isolde’s arm and her hand rubbed circles on her soft belly. Lips brushed her dark hair and Isolde hummed quietly.

“So what do we do next?” the mermaid asked.

Anna looked up, “If you want, you can stay for the rest of the trip. You’ll probably have to hide in here most of the time, but there’s thousands of people on the ship, I suppose no one would notice if you went on deck once in a while.”

“And then?”

“Then when we get back to Miami, you’ll have to slip back into the water and wait for me. I’ll find a way to get rid of all my stuff, end my lease, and fly back to you.”

Isolde rubbed her hand up and down Anna’s shoulder. “Then we will go to our island.”

“Isolde…How would I get to the island? I can’t exactly swim like you.”

The mermaid smiled, “We can sail. The boats I see now with white sails are different from the one my sailor built, but I’m sure I can learn. And anyway, some fishermen still know of us, mermaids as you call us. We could get help if we needed it.”

“Tell me more about the island,” Anna whispered.

Isolde murmured descriptions of birds and plant life, of sea creatures, and of teal waters until they both drifted off to sleep.

_ _

Hiding in plain sight aboard a cruise ship turned out to be easier than Anna had imagined. They visited the buffet and the larger pool decks without so much as a second glance from anyone. At night they retreated to the privacy of their room to have hours of sex until one or both of them begged off.

Two days before their arrival in Miami, all of their stealthing proved inconsequential. They were heading out for a light breakfast, Isolde dressed in some of Anna’s spare clothes, when the housekeeper bumped into them bringing in fresh towels.

Amy’s eyes went wide when she saw Isolde, “Rusalka!” she whispered.

“What?” Anna tried to block her view.

“Rusalka! You’ve brought one aboard.”

“This is my frien-”

“Please spare us, Rusalka! You cannot be aboard this vessel. Please!” Amy fell on her face at Isolde’s feet. The mermaid looked concerned and Anna’s confusion didn’t help.

“I- I do not intend to harm anyone.”

“You will not send us to the underworld?” The housekeeper’s voice came out muffled from the carpet.

“Amy, please stand up. Isolde will not hurt you.”

Amy looked up cautiously, “But she is rusalki, a mermaid, and I have no rossen blooms to wear.”

Anna looked to Isolde who shrugged. “Amy, she is a friend and neither of us have any idea what you are talking about.”

The frightened housekeeper lifted her head and sat back on her heels. “In Bulgaria, we celebrate Rusalijska Nedelya, Mermaid Week. The mermaids like the rossen blossom, it makes them kind as they bless our fields. Please Rusalka, spare our vessel.”

Isolde stepped forward and crouched to Amy. “Tell no one you saw me. Anna is alone. I will not harm you.”

Amy nodded frantically, “Da, da, of course. No one.”

“Good. Please leave us.”

The housekeeper backed out the door and Isolde closed it tightly. Anna leaned against the bathroom door and heaved a breath.

“What was she talking about? How did she know?”

“I am not certain,” Isolde sighed, “I believe merfolk, as you say, inhabit all the seas. Her culture must know of a different kind. I’ve never heard that language before.”

Anna nodded absentmindedly. “We should be more careful. Why don’t you sit on the veranda? I’ll go get us some breakfast.”

The rest of the trip, the two women stayed confined to the room, only ordering room service or having Anna go retrieve what they needed.

Reaching the port in the wee hours of the morning, Anna and Isolde lowered the rope down the side of the ship in the dark. The mermaid kissed her surfacer and slipped over the balcony edge naked. She had a small purse slung on her back with one of Anna’s outfits in it. Anna watched to make sure she made it safely to the water before dropping the rope. Isolde blew a kiss and swam off to find a spot to get on land. They decided it was best if Isolde met her on land rather than waiting in the shipping channels where she could be hit or spotted.

Anna had never been so eager to be off a boat in her life. She joined the first group disembarking and launched through customs at record speed. She found Isolde wandering around the parking lot admiring herself in the mirrors and windows of the cars.

Anna had originally booked a flight back to Dayton, but now with Isolde, she opted to rent a car. The mermaid was fascinated by everything and everyone she saw, but Anna was eager to get home and start packing up her old life. Her phone chirped as service came back and a week’s worth of communication assaulted her inbox, but she ignored it all.

“A book!” Isolde cried as they entered a gas station. She ran over to a small shelf where a few paperback romance novels sat collecting dust.

“You read?”

“Well, not really.” Isolde picked up the book and turned it over gently in her hands. “My princesa taught me to read a book she had. I can only read Spanish.”

Anna nodded, “There are books in many languages. I can teach you English.”