When she fell from her husband's yacht, she remembered the golden skies above her, the clouds spun with golden rays of the the setting sun. Then she felt the water engulf her, a sudden sense of weightlessness soothing her.

I'm going to die, she had thought and for the briefest moments she had felt a pair of arms wrap around her, lips meeting hers.

The kiss of death. She was sure of it.

Even more when the first face she saw belonged to someone she hadn't seen before. Someone who looked otherworldly. The creature who held her was definitely male. The man had the brightest red hair, eyes the color of hazel and rimmed with a vivid red. Strange webbing protruded from his red hair, Resting on his collarbone was a golden necklace, a single red stone surrounded by carvings of serpents, yet she couldn't help but notice the odd ridges on the man's neck, almost like gaping slits. A small red labret piercing rested between his lower lip and above his chin, giving the illusion that the creature was dangerous.

"What is your name?"

Scarlet's eyes slid over to the man who spoke. This one was shirtless, completely bare of any clothes, save for the gold ring that rested on a cord round his neck and the hoops that rested on his ears.  

Her lips parted, her throat sore as she tried to speak, "Scarlet," she said, "Scarlet Foster."

"Like your hair," another said. Her eyes shifted towards another creature, a creature who was definitely out of place between the two red heads. He was dark in comparison with his pale skin and black hair that twisted messily with strings of seaweed. His dark pupils of his green eyes were that of a snake's. The odd creature smiled, showing two rows of sharp teeth, "The name is Morgan." The creature gave a small wave, the green webbing between his fingers flashing against his pale skin.

Scarlet could only blink as she tried to muster enough strength to sit but it felt as if her muscles had turned into jelly, refusing to hold any weight. However the man behind her seemed to know what she needed and helped her to sit, keeping his large hands on her waist to keep her steady.

"Careful."

How was it possible that a single word could send chills down her spine? The man's voice was deep, the sound coming deep within his body, the vibrations going from his hard chest and into Scarlet's bare back. Nonetheless, she couldn't allow herself to sway to the man's charms, not wanting to fall once more for a man who's love would twist and try to suffocate her.

Not again, she thought, mustering enough strength to pull herself away from the strange creature, I will not be weak.

*******

Rubyn swore he could feel the sparks jumping from the human's skin and crackling over his own. Scarlet was a woman he was sure that had endured pain. Any other creature that had dared to talk after swallowing so much seawater wouldn't have even bothered to speak. Yet Scarlet managed to defy the odds and speak as if the pain didn't exist.

What had the human world done to this beautiful creature? Why is it that every time he tried to reach for her she flinched away? 

An unknown pain touched his heart, wrapping around it and squeezing it. 

"Tell me," Scarlet said, "Where am I?"

Rubyn parted his lips to speak but a single shake from the witch's head stopped him from speaking further.

"Go home," Morgan said, his green eyes flashing, "I believe your father is looking for you, it seems he has sent out the guards."

Rubyn didn't know how Morgan knew but for some reason he trusted the witch, despite his odd appearance and his mysterious background. He stood, walking towards the sea till the ocean waters touched his waist. With a single glance back to the human on the shore, memorizing her sea green eyes, red hair,  and the soft pink lips he longed to feel. 

One day, he thought, his eyes flitting towards the witch who had begun to speak with the beautiful creature,  You will see my world. 

His legs turned into a tail, allowing the sea currents to sweep him away, pulling him under the surface.  He quickly parted ways from the island, not wanting the guards to come close to human he had rescued.

I mustn't let father find her, he thought. He a prince, rescuing a human from the surface world. It was taboo in the mermaid kingdom to do such thing. 

"Rubyn!" a loud cry said, bringing he prince to his senses, a merman coming from a set of boulders.

"I'm here Rhina!" he said, waving at his close friend, happy to see the familiar wild mane of red orange hair and the burly chest that was hidden beneath a plate of armor.

"Whaur hae ye bin Yer Majesty? We thought th' amythyst hud taken ye as prisoner!" the general said, his eyes glistening with relief as he pulled the prince into his massive arms, nearly choking the life out of him.

"Rhina," Rubyn choked out, "You're killing me."

Rhina pulled away and gave a apologetic smile, "Mah apologies, bit yer faither insisted th' guards tae bring ye in. It seems th' amythyst hud struck yin o' th' colonies while we delt wi' Prince Andre."

Rubyn cursed under his breath, "It was a set up. How many?"

Rhina sighed softly, "A' body fae th' colony survived bit we lost some guid warriors oot thare. Word haes it that twa o' thaim wur taken prisoner, bit we're nae sure."

Rubyn rubbed his face, dragging out to the back of his neck, "Gods," he said out loud, "When will this war end?"

Rhina shrugged, giving the usually blood thirsty prince an odd look, "A dinnae ken m' laird. Ah juist hawp tis soon."

The prince let his fingers touch the necklace on his chest, the red stone reminding him of Scarlet's red hair.

For her, he thought.

A/N:  Sorry for the late update but work was just stressful this week and I was able to find time this morning to type up everything.

Also, Rhina has a Scottish accent if most you haven't guessed it yet. If you guess don't under stand it, let me know so I can put the translation up there.

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