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16
1This is Prince Xino, Thorn
He is the next Heir of the Atlanic Dynasty was, to put it mildly, not thrilled. His scales, usually a shimmering blend of sapphire and emerald, felt dull, almost rebellious against the weight of his father's decree. As a guardian of the underwater realm, his lithe, powerful body, perfectly adapted for swift movements through the currents with its elegant fins and the subtle ripple of his gills, was meant for protecting their borders, not parading before potential⦠mates.
Xino's eyes, the deep turquoise of a twilight sea, held a perpetual glint of defiance. He wasn't opposed to companionship, but the forced aspect of it chafed against his independent spirit. Heβd much rather be patrolling the kelp forests, his trident, crafted from a solidified lightning strike, humming faintly in his grasp. The thought of elaborate courtship rituals and simpering princesses made the delicate membranes of his gills twitch in irritation.
The summons to the Coral Palace echoed in his mind, a vibrant, bustling place he usually avoided. Tonight, it would be filled with eligible Atlantean nobles, each vetted for their lineage and, presumably, their ability to produce strong heirs. Xino sighed, a stream of bubbles escaping his lips. He adjusted the intricate, woven seaweed bands that adorned his arms, a sign of his guardian status. Duty, he knew, was as much a part of his being as the water that flowed through his veins. But finding a life partner shouldn't feel like another battle to be fought. He just hoped, against the currents of his own apprehension, that he might find someone who saw beyond the scales and the title, someone who understood the wild, protective heart of Xino Thorn.
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