Rigged

Sweet Riley Harper, keeper of half of the hearts in their sleepy hometown, had a sickness in them. There was salt running through their veins rather than blood. They had their whole life sorted out and at the ready, their mother made sure of that. After all, Riley had their pick of their small, beach-side town they grew up in. Every boy dreamed of Riley, but all Riley dreamed about was the sea. Of crushing depths and frigid waters. Currents that could sweep them away without a second thought and waves with enough force to drown them.

They would die down there. Ever since they were a child, Riley knew they were meant to be swallowed by the sea. It was a delirium, almost, the hours spent surfing, swimming, diving, spending more time under the water than they ever did on land.

Really, Riley thought, mom should have seen it coming.

Working as an welder on an oil rig was not the average job for a pretty thing like Riley Harper. It was one that made them happy, though.

It was all perfect until they found the most beautiful bracelet on one of their dives and five creatures straight out of myths started circling their rig.

Mermaids. Bonds. Mates.

None of it made sense.