Page 5 of Seduced By the Mermen
Sitting in the back lobby of Glyden, I’m pretending I’ve come to see my aunt and her pod. It might be a bit much. It’s more than a bit much. Zion and Delmar say we need to give Blair space, but I’m of the mind that we need to take action. I’ve always taken action. From my career, to love.
When Forrest mentioned that Annabelle Portsmouth’s aunt was on the way to the Veiled City, I thought it was too good to be true. But after I saw Blair, spoke to her for only a few minutes? I’m a male obsessed. And playing it any other way than all in... What good is that?
There are other pods like ours who’ve lost their mate, but we have the advantage of having met Blair already. After we came out of mourning, I thought we might find another mate. After all, we have a governor in our pod. Forrest. But while being the governor might be an advantage when courting a Dorian, I’m sure it won’t mean much to Blair.
I’m sitting on a bench next to the elevator. I’ve heard that when they take Blair and her daughter in and out of the Glyden dome, they’ve been using this way from where they live on the seabed. The seabed of all places? No mermaid deserves to live on the seabed.
“Alexei!” A warm voice rings from the open elevator.
“Uncle Stefano.” I greet him, grasping his arm in the traditional way. “I was about to come up to say hello.”
“I don’t know if you’ve mistaken me for your Uncle Enzo, but I’m no fool. Feel free to sit there as long as you like. But I won’t be expecting you up in our apartment anytime soon. Unless you want to come up and say hi to your aunt? She’d like that. You’re not the only one sitting waiting, hoping to get a glance at either of the humans. But then, I’ve heard your pod has already made its intentions known.” He cocks an eyebrow at me.
“It has.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“Then why are you sitting in the lobby like a commoner?”
I grimace. “The Portsmouth pod has asked that we give Blair space.”
“Well, when the Hero of Hestertåtten, the second coming of Poseidon, and the Golden Prince make a request, don’t you think it would be in your best interest to listen?”
“Uncle, do you think others are going to? We’re a pod of seven. There are plenty of pods of four out there that have lost their mermaid who would jump at this chance. I’m not a fool. And I know our ways are strange for humans. Seven males? And I know my pod. We’re a lot to take on. There was so much pressure with...” I can’t say it. I don’t even want to think about it.
“I know. It was a hard time for you all. For any pod. Any merman. And I’m still sorry for your loss.”
I bow my head. “Thank you.”
He slaps his hand against my shoulder. He’s pushing eighty, but he’s still firm as he was when I was a podlet, a long time ago. “I’ll help you any way I can. I can sit in the lobby with a lot less suspicion than you or any of your mates. And if you like, I’m sure Enzo wouldn’t mind hanging out in the formal lobby. We can be your eyes and ears. Well, not Enzo, not ears at least.They’re failing him, and he refuses to go and get them checked out. I can message you when I see something. Besides, your aunt would like it if more of us had something to do outside the home, anyway.” He smiles, and a weight lifts from me. Having a Glyden insider helping? It would give us another advantage, and that’s something I’m all for.
I nod. “That could work. Thank you, Uncle.”
“It’s me who should be thanking you. I’ll start right now. This shall be fun.” He rubs his hands together and punches the button for the elevator.
“Where are you going? I thought you said you’re going to start straightaway.”
“Without a snack? You go on and get going. I’ll be right back down.”
“If you’re sure?”
He puts both his hands on my back and pushes. Seriously, he’s got a lot of power for his age. “More sure than Enzo loves his hedge-tots, which is a lot.” He backs into the lift and waves. “Now go on. I’ve got this. Go do something more productive—write a sonnet or something.”
“Just don’t say anything to her.”
“Why would I—” The elevator closes on him, leaving me wondering why he was coming down from his apartment in the first place. But I can’t sit here any longer like a lovesick podlet. Really, what do I know about Blair other than that she’s intoxicating and smells of linen and lavender? She had her wits about her while being immersed in something new. She spent time in the doctro centusia learning about our culture and society. Really, that’s as important to me as it would be to a professor of cultures.
I’ve been rolling it around in my head. Am I so smitten with her because she’s human? No. No, it’s all the other things. True, I only saw her for a few minutes. But I’ve played those minutesover and over for the last few days. It’s a wish granted. Delmar asked Athena to give us a new mate. I’m not one to wish for things. But it feels as if Athena has granted it. Or at least given us the opportunity to make it come true.
With the lift door closed, I sit back down and message Delmar.I’m coming home.
The reply on my block happens in an instant.Thought you were going to stay and see if they are taking her out for dinner.
Change of plans.
Do you want me to come?
You don’t have ties to Glyden.My fingers fly over my block.
No, but I could make one up. Who’s going to check?
