Page 73 of Chasing Tail
Chapter 39
My family and I had thrown several parties for hatch days and anniversaries. They were generally small with just family and people we liked who were invited. The party itself was always fun, but all the preparations to make sure people were fed and had a good time were always stressful.
This was entirely different. Don’t ask me how word spread this fast, but people from far away showed up in these big things being dragged by horses. Topaz was greeting them and showing them to rooms in this massive place. Callum kept having to disappear to play king, but I understood that was his job.
I thought this was just going to be a celebration. Maybe it was intended to be at first, but it wasn’t anymore. Everyone wanted to move on. They were excited to have Callum on the throne just based on a few promises he’d made to an angry mob to get rid of a few stupid rules.
This wasn’t a party anymore. Well, it was, but it was a coronation too. I got it, and I was excited. I wanted him on the throne too. It meant this was finally over. Taron and I did what we came here to do, but we made thingsbetter,not worse. That made it all worth it.
Nissa showed up with clothes for Taron and me. I was glad we didn’t kill her in her shop because if Ihadto wear clothes on land, I wanted her to make them now. This dress was amazing.
I knew most mermaids who came to land lived on the outskirts and kept it a secret, but I couldn’t have that option unless I left the men I cared for. Salem gave me another option so that I could have everything and keep my people safe with a little fib.
Nissa designed my dress to advertise what I was. I knew there were people here who wouldn’t know and would ask me. You’d have to be pretty daft to look at me in this dress and not know. She designed it so that it looked like I had a shimmering tail. It wasn’t purple and blue like mine, but it was still lovely. It was shades of red and gold.
There were slits on the side that exposed my legs. I wasn’t worried about the exposed flesh. I was excited I was less likely to trip, and I felt pretty. And I could breathe in it! The top of it fit me like a second skin, but no one had to tie me into it until my breath was taken away.
I couldn’t stop looking in the mirror. I finally tore my eyes away and looked at everyone else. They looked so pretty. Taron was wearing silver and blue. It really set off his dark skin. Callum said he intended on removing all the purple from the palace. I was reasonably certain he’d picked his new color scheme because we were all dressed in it except Taron.
The princes were all dressed in shades of red and gold like my dress. Taron was dressed differently, but it just felt right. He didn’t look upset about it at all. Taron was preening in the mirror just as much as I was. His colors were close to a shark. There was no one here like Taron, and he didn’t need to be dressed like everyone else. Taron was one of a kind, and that was what I loved about him.
Topaz came bustling in with a swish of skirts. Her dress was beautiful, but it looked complicated. I liked her in it, but I certainly didn’t want to wear it. Her waist was tinier than usual because of the corset, and her breasts were spilling out the top. I would definitely fall on my face with that skirt, but Topaz owned it, and she looked beautiful.
“You need to get out there and be announced. The stuffy rich druid nobles our father propped up are getting nervous hanging out with the common folk. Everyone is hanging out on different sides of the ballroom, and everyone is too afraid to eat or dance. Idid notmake sure this was catered by the best this kingdom had to offer and hire the best musicians for people not to enjoy both. Beck, fix it.”
Beck wound his arm through Topaz’s. From what I had gathered, the druid nobles thought they were better than everyone else at this party and made everyone uncomfortable. Ifanyonecould bring them together to enjoy a celebration, it was Beck, and I liked him way better than a sea otter.
“Lead the way. We’ll handle it. Take my arm, Taron.”
I knew Taron cared about Beck and liked being alone with him. Taron enjoyed himself, but he kept telling me how much he wanted to bring what he had learned to bed with me. Taron didn’t go to Beck this time. His eyes went straight to me. This was new for both of us, and he wanted to do this together. We always did everything together before.
We both stood our ground. Taron and I had been separated before, and we had fun. We’d probably do it again, but we needed to be together. We were both excited about attending this party, but we were going to go together so we could have each other’s back. I understood these people were supposed to be friends, but Taron and I were both prepared to kill any of them if we needed to.
“We go together,” I said, grabbing Taron’s hand.
“It’s just to walk down,” Callum said. “You’ll need to be presented with me for now, Kishi. Some of the people down there will never accept you if you aren’t presented on my arm first. I don’t like it, and we never want to separate the two of you, but some of those people think like my father. I need more time to change things. Taron needs to go down there with Beck and Topaz, and you need to go with me.”
Taron squeezed my hand.
“It’s okay, Kishi.”
I understood most of what Callum said, but the only reason I let go of Taron’s hand and agreed to it was that he was okay with it. We never went into the unknown unless we were together. I guess I was okay with following behind him. We could still protect each other. He had his teeth, and I still had my magic.
I let go of his hand and took Callum’s arm. We walked out and stood at the top of the stairs. There wasa lotof fuss at royal parties. I’d only been to one in the ocean, but they took it much further on land.
We had to line up at the top of the stairs, and someone at the top called our names down to the people standing at the bottom. I only had one name, and so did Taron. Unfortunately, the royal family had many, and they all had to be called out.
In the sea, names had power. They were whispered to your parents by the depths when you were hatched. Shark’s names were equally mythological. I didn’t know how they named their hatchlings here or why they needed so many names. I also didn’t understand why they were introducing everyone instead of just Taron and me.
They didn’t know Taron and me, but I was pretty damned sure they knew the princes and princesses of their own kingdom, even if they hadn’t met them in person before. Taron walked down the stairs with Topaz, Forrest, and Beck after their names were called. Callum and I were standing back.
“Do these people not know your names? Why do you have so many of them?”
I’d called out the name of Taron and all three princes in pleasure when we were mating. Did I have to scream out all four of their names now that I knew them? That just seemed complicated. Callum chuckled.
“They all know us, and we’ve talked to most of these people in person. I suppose it is odd that they have to announce us at balls and galas when everyone knows us. It’s just how it’s always been done. They will do it every time we throw a party. Everyone has at least two names here. You have your first name and your family name. Names have power, and sometimes, parents will give their children many. You can just call us by our first names.”
“Thank Triton, because getting all that out while we’re mating would ruin the mood.”
