Page 69 of Chasing Tail
Chapter 37
Ididn’t think it was possible for any creature in this world to throw celebrations like the otters did, but I might have been having more fun at this party in the forest. There was always a friendly siren singing in the ocean at celebrations, but I think I liked the music here better. We communicated by sonic pulses because sound didn’t really travel any other way under the water.
It wasn’t like that on land, and they had all these devices to enhance the singer. The princes were patient and explained what they were. They told me their sisters were proficient on a good bit of them.
“Topaz doesn’t like a lot of people, and she doesn’t try to fake it, even if she’s supposed to since she’s a princess,” Forrest said. “She likes you. If you ask, she’ll give you lessons.”
“I like the thing you beat on,” Taron said.
“Topaz does too. She likes hitting things, but our father thought the drums were a man’s instrument wouldn’t bring anyone in to teach her.”
“How are these instruments suited to a man or woman?” I asked. “If someone taught me, I could hit the drum and make music too.”
“They aren’t. The only reason that man is playing those drums is that the woman who usually plays them got hurt when hunting. She’s the best drummer in the entire kingdom. Our father thought women were limited and only good for bearing children and marrying off for alliances. Most everyone else here knows women can not only do the same thing as men, but some of them are also better at things than us.”
“Well, that’s definitely true,” I sniffed. “I’m a much better hunter than most of the mermen back home, and I’ve lost track of how many wanted to mate with me and got beaten across the ocean.”
Forrest brought my hand to his lips and brushed them across my knuckles.
“I haven’t gotten my moment, but please tell me you smacked Beck around a little before you fooled around.”
“IfI did, I would have won, and he’d be covered in my marks. But, I don’t feel the need to fight so much on land, and the three of you are too pretty to maim.”
“I’ve never been very vain, but I guess now I’m grateful for my looks.”
The music changed, and the drums were more prominent. Several people jumped to their feet, including Taron. Something about it made me want to move my feet to it, so I joined them. Taron was stomping his feet and waving his hands in the air.
He looked like he was having a blast, and everyone else was doing the same thing. I threw back my head, laughed, and joined them. I felt Forrest’s arms wrap around my waist, and he started moving with me. Callum and Beck joined us.
“What do you call this?” I yelled over the music.
“Dancing. It’s a lot more boring and formal at the palace. It’s not free like this. They teach you the steps, and everyone does the same thing. Some of the dances are fun, but not like this.”
“Are Taron and I going to be expected to know them at your party?”
Forrest spun me around and crushed his lips on mine.
“Dance how you want, Kishi. We’re starting new traditions.”
The music changed again, and I felt a tap on my shoulder. Salem was standing there with a tankard of ale in one hand and the leg of something in the other.
“Can I borrow your mermaid for a minute?” he asked.
Forrest let me go, and I followed him away from all the noise and revelry. I had a million questions for him, and I needed to thank him. The only reason we saved Cassandra and pulled this off without dying was that they swooped in with a plan and knowledge about those secret passages.
We sat down on a log, and Salem handed me his ale and meat.
“Dancing makes me hungry and thirsty.”
He wasn’t wrong. I settled in with my ale and meat.
“The princes think a sea witch took your voice now that they’ve met me. We both know that’s not any type of payment they would want. It can’t be used in any type of magic, and you don’t use it in the ocean, anyway. You were fibbing, Kishi. Why?”
I sighed and took a large gulp from the tankard.
“It was such a stupid idea. I thought they were like mermen and needed me to be helpless. I thought if I pretended I couldn’t speak, I could get them on my side while they taught me. Then, I got to know them and realized how amazing they were. I hated lying to them. I pretended like one of their potions cured me. I really need to tell them the truth.”
“I don’t think you should. Being able to come on land is a heavily guarded mermaid secret. It’s always hidden, even when people defect and choose to come on land. You’re not like any of those mermaids. They all lived quiet lives near the sea. You went pretty big because you came here with a vendetta.
