My eyes were massively round. “They took the breeding thing that seriously?”

“They did. And still do. They’ve had nearly eighty children since they mated a century ago.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not. Most of their children are mated to humans or other merrae, now. The couple have been using birth control, which has made things more peaceful. But apparently, she’s decided she wants another baby. It’s reignited every problem they have once again.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. Before we could mate with humans, I had no choice but to mediate constantly for them for the sake of repopulation. It’s time to put an end to my role in it, now that they’ve begun fighting again.”

“Can I come see what they’re like?”

Triton’s eyebrows raised. “I don’t think that would help you feel more settled here.”

“Come on, humans have drama too. Seeing yours would just make you all more real to me.”

He didn’t look convinced.

Not even a little.

He rubbed his temple, and I got the feeling someone was speaking into his mind.

“Let’s make a deal,” I said.

“What deal?”

“You don’t want to sleep in that chair.” I gestured to the chair. “No one would. Especially when they’re as gigantic as you are. So, let me see the drama, and I’ll let you share the bed with me. Or I’ll take the chair, if you want it all to yourself.”

His eyes sharpened. “My mate will never sleep in a fucking chair.”

“Then it’s just the shared mattress on the line.”

He studied me.

Then rubbed his temple again.

Someone was definitely bugging him. The way all the merrae could speak mentally was kind of insane, but I was getting used to it. Or at least, the idea of it. I was pretty sure it would piss me off if I constantly had random people in my head.

“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” he finally said.

“I’ve never had a problem sleeping comfortably. Having you sleep a couple inches away isn’t going to change that. It’s not like things are innocent between us. You were literally inside me yesterday.”

His eyes darkened. “Alright, I accept your deal. With one caveat.”

“I’m listening.”

“Two caveats,” he amended.

I gave him a dirty look. “Just come out with it.”

“The first is that if we go up there, we go as a pair. You don’t just watch the drama unfold. You give your opinions and participate.”

“I probably won’t have much to offer considering I don’t know the situation, but I’ll try,” I agreed.

The fact that he wanted us to work together seemed like a good sign. Like the way he’d wanted me to be myself in the throne room.

“What’s the second?” I checked.

He hesitated, slightly.

“Spit it out, Triton.”