“There’s not time.” Triton took a step over the lake. In the blink of an eye, the column of water that extended from the pond above the waterfall stretched toward us. It snatched us up, and we shot through a tunnel, back up to the surface.

The king yanked my top over my head and tugged it into place as the water deposited him on his feet in our room.

I tried to elbow my way free of his grasp as he carried me down the hallway, but failed. He wasn’t letting go.

“You’re taking me to find the birth control plant after this is over,” I whispered. “That was a promise.”

“Do not say that aloud. The last thing we need is a group of merrae following us,” Triton warned.

“Fine, I’ll be quieter about it.”

We found Rayna in the hallway, next to a grumpy-looking giant. That had to be her mate. Weston, or something similar?

“Aria needs to change quickly,” Rayna said.

Triton finally set me on my feet. “The clothes are ready?”

“Only a skirt. She’ll have to go topless,” Rayna held a small bundle of blue fabric toward me.

My eyebrows shot upward. “Excuse me?”

“Selkies don’t have scales. Dressing in a color that isn’t yours would be a sign that you are one of them or relate with them. We need to show a united front,” Rayna explained.

“I don’t care what it’s a sign of, I’m not walking around with my tits hanging out,” I tossed back.

“Just put this on.” The skirt she handed me was the same shade of dark blue as Triton’s.

He trapped me against the wall, hiding me from view as I quickly swapped the blue skirt for the green one.

“She’s right. We need to be united,” he said, meeting my gaze again.

“I was human up until you stole me away from my home yesterday, so I don’t think anyone would expect me to agree with you right now.”

“Which is exactly why you have to. It will show that you already respect our society.” Rayna spoke up again from behind Triton. “Your hair will keep you covered. Triton can hold it in place with his arm.”

“No one other than me will see your breasts.” His voice left no room for questioning… but I still had questions.

So. Many. Questions.

“What do I get from you, if I do that?” I asked. “Because right now, I have nothing. I don’t have a room of my own. I’m being held here as your breeder. I don’t have any of my things from Earth. I’m basically being forced to adapt to every aspect of your culture, after being abducted from my world.”

Triton’s eyes narrowed, and his mind met mine. “You know I want you for far more than just breeding, Sweetheart.”