The Cursed Dance: A Gender-Bent Retelling of The Little Mermaid

A merman seeking to explore land.
A princess seeking to explore the seas.
A gender-bent retelling of The Little Mermaid.

Xavier is the youngest of six, a prince to the merpeople. He is more than happy that he will never be king, but he wishes above all to explore the land above the waves, a place his father forbids.

Princess Caterina spends more time on ships than she ever does at court, much to her parents’ dismay.

A rash of mysterious deaths attributed to an illness has Xavier seeking the help of a sea witch, who tells him he can find a cure but only on land… and she will grant him legs in exchange for his voice.

He agrees, but the moment he sets foot on the sand, he finds he cannot walk, only dance, and that dance pains him greatly.

Perhaps with the princess’s help, Xavier will be able to save himself and his people. If not, he might well be without his tongue, his tail, and the proper use of his new legs… as well as his heart for the rest of his life.