Fish Out of Water [Paperback]

Fred the Mermaid has taken the bait and chosen to date Artur, Prince of the Black Sea, over human marine biologist Thomas. And just in time. The existence of the Undersea Folk is no longer a secret, and someone needs to keep them from floundering in the media spotlight. Fred has all the right skills for that job, but has a hard time when her real father surfaces and tries to overthrow Artur’s regime.MaryJanice Davidson is theNew York Timesbestselling author of theUndeadnovels featuring Betsy Taylor;Derik's Bane, and the new young adult novels featuring Jennifer Scales, written with her husband, Anthony Alongi, among other titles.

Prologue

He stared, transfixed. His people were showing themselves to the world! How could the royal family—theking—go along with this? It went against centuries of tradition and ingrained behavior.

He instantly started figuring how he could turn the situation to his advantage.

One

“Excuse me, but are you a mermaid?”

“Why?” Fred was poking through the large, airy kitchen and trying not to show how impressed she was with the ocean view. She knew the Realtor would pick up on it like a bloodhound to sweat. “Do I get a discount? ‘Show us your fin and we’ll show you ten percent off.’ Like that?”

The Realtor colored, which, given that she had the creamy complexion natural to most redheads, gave the impression that she was about to have a stroke. Fred wondered how long it would take for the paramedics to show.

“I didn’t mean anything by it.” She coughed. “It’s just—your hair.”

“I know, don’t tell me. I fired my stylist.” Fred fussed with the ends of her green hair, which were now chin-length as opposed to tumbling halfway down her back. Much easier to take care of, though her friend Jonas had shrieked like he’d beelc�