Page 75 of Chasing Tail
“Those people over there like to think they are superior, but a little touch from an incubus or succubus will loosen them right up. Watch.”
“I used to think everyone on land was evil and would want to try to own a mermaid, but if the mermen found out you have people here who can touch you and make you want to mate and they aren’t going to kick your ass and make you earn it like we do in the ocean.”
Harland chuckled.
“Wolves do that too sometimes if you’re mating in wolf form. Many a wolf has tried to earn that with Ginger over there, but she’s never lost.”
“I like her already, but she’d better not have any ideas about Taron.”
“Trust me, she doesn’t. She’s still waiting for the moon to bring her the mate chosen for her.Plentyof men and women have presented themselves to try. She already has Taron’s scent and knows he’s not. She’s trying to help right now by dancing with someone who is not like her.”
I heard giggling across the room. An incubus or succubus had touched all the stuffy people across the room, and the change was pretty drastic. They were all rushing to the floor to dance, and some got pulled over to enjoy the food.
“I’m pretty fond of my powers, but that’s a handy trick.”
“None of us would be angry if you drowned some of them with the wine like I saw you do in the hallway that night.”
“They technically haven’t wronged me, and the princes would get so mad. Topaz would definitely stab me.”
“Some of those people, no one would get mad except the other nobles.”
“They seem to be behaving now. I feel a little sorry for them they need a shot of lust to have fun. Let them enjoy themselves for once.”
I felt a tap on my shoulder. Callum was behind me.
“Thanks for saving the party, Harland. Can I steal my mermaid?”
“She’s all yours. I’m going to hit up the food. Your sister went all out for this.”
“She rescued us from some needy lords and is entertaining them. She probably has all these plots running through her head about poisoning them, but she’s being a princess and faking it.”
I gave Callum my hand and let him sweep me across the dance floor.
“Can’t you send a succubus over so Topaz can enjoy the party too?”
“She’s on a secret mission that only works because she’s a gorgeous woman, and men are stupid. She’s flirting and letting them think they can improve their station by marrying a princess. Topaz doesn’t need to be a succubus and use her touch. She can do it without it.
“They are spilling their secrets. They are telling her all the terrible things they did that impressed our father into giving them lands and titles. All his children had to pretend to agree with his ideas and methods for our safety, but Topaz played that game better than all of us. They think she’s just like him. They are telling her exactly what I need to take some ill-gotten gains away and restore them to the people they were taken from.”
“You play all kinds of games here that we don’t in the ocean. Someone would have just stabbed them with a spear back home if they were bad people.”
Callum threw back his head and laughed.
“We’ll teach you how to deal with palace games, Kishi. You don’thaveto stab someone to make it hurt. There are countless ways to bring someone down.”
“Stabbing can be fun and effective too.”
“You know what’sreallyeffective? Being next in line for the throne and people being excited about it. The king’s chambers have already been redecorated entirely, and there’s now a bed in there big enough for all of us. A little bird told me about an ambitious mermaid who had her heart set on her first land orgy. So we’re going to make that happen tonight.”
I grabbed Callum and pulled him down for a kiss. Several people in the room started making noises with their hands and howling. The people Topaz was manipulating looking over and scowled, but I didn’t care. Pretty soon, they’d have much more to worry about than me kissing Callum in front of them.
“Do royal parties last as long as shifter parties? Because I’d like to drag you all there now.”
“Me too, but they are crowning me tonight. This party won’t go on nearly as long. As you’ve noticed, this place is massive. It takes an entire staff to keep it running. It’s just respectful to keep the mess minimal and not keep things going all night so they can get as much sleep as possible.”
“I like that.”
Callum yanked me to his chest, and the shifters started howling again.
“You’re going to like what happens after this party even better.”
“How long until they put that crown on your head?” I growled.
“When Topaz gives the word. She’s still extorting the nobility.”
“Then let’s dance. I can be patient for the greater good.”
