Oliver chuckled, running a gentle finger through Liam’s hair. “Well, I suggest we think of another name for you. Calling yourself Liam would definitely raise a few eyebrows. Of course, I could always just call you darling.”
“Ugh,” the mermaid groaned, bumping her forehead against his chest. “Please, don’t. I’ll admit, my body just responded to you on its own. My brain is still weirded out by all this. I’ve never been into guys before.”
“Neither have I. I guess it’s hard for my own brain to think of you as the same Prince Liam that I met at Rubrum castle. Especially when you look so…well, like this. You must have had very good genes in the family.”
Liam blushed. “Not particularly. No more than anyone else, that is. But it looks like the spell sucked as much masculinity out of me as it could, so that makes me, I don’t know, extra feminine?” With a shrug, she changed the subject. “Anyway, you’re right. I need a new name if I’m to live like this from now on.”
“Lia, maybe?” Oliver suggested. “Or Lynne? Lianne?”
“Perhaps something a little less like my original name. I don’t want a lot of people knowing who I am, and considering you figured it out without even knowing my name, they don’t need any more clues.”
Thinking a bit longer, Oliver suggested, “How about we switch the syllables of your name? Am-li…Amelia!”
“Amelia?” The mermaid tilted her head as she whispered it to herself a few times. “That works. Alright, from now on, call me Amelia.”
“As you command, sweet Amelia,” Oliver said with a grin before leaning in for another kiss.
At first, Amelia accepted the kiss without thinking, letting her eyes drift closed and letting out a soft moan. Then, her eyes shot open again and she recoiled, though she looked a bit pained from the separation.
“No, sorry. Oliver, please tone it down, will you?” Amelia sighed as she got herself back under control. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s nice. And if I’m to stay like this forever, I wouldn’t be that adverse to…this…with you. But I need time to get used to it. Could we maybe take it slow from here on out?”
The prince looked a bit disappointed, but he nodded.
For the first time since her change, Amelia managed a smile of relief. “Thank you, Oliver.”
“No problem.” Oliver coughed, forcing his eyes away. She was radiant enough with a solemn face, but when she smiled... Did she really have to be so irresistible while telling him to back off? This was not going to be easy. On the other hand, she clearly enjoyed the sensations of their kiss as much as he did, and she had simply asked for time. He could give her that, at least, for saving his life. “Now that we have that out of the way, I have another suggestion.”
“What is it?”