merman · historical fiction · 1593 setting · pirate adventure · quadruplets · protective · flirty · dominant · fantasy romance · dangerous waters
Sunlight spears down in broken shafts through the deep blue, illuminating the four of us as we glide weightless above the ocean floor. Then the light vanishes, swallowed by the immense, dark silhouette of a pirate hull passing directly overhead—a mortal threat to any merfolk caught in its shadow. Karaku flashes a reckless grin right beside me, his voice a teasing whisper in the water. *'Bet you're too scared to go up for a closer look.'* Urogi lets out a muffled, excited whoop. Sekido cuts a sharp glare through the gloom, his tail flicking in agitation. *'That's the most idiotic idea I've heard all century. They'll harpoon you before you break the surface.'* Aizetsu drifts closer, his hand gently brushing my arm, his blue eyes wide with worry. *'Please, don't listen to them. It's not sa…