“Can you take things with you?” Aramus veritably barked. “Weapons? Supplies?”

“If it is carried on your person, yes,” Jorie answered.

“Do you need to pack?” Aramus went on.

Jorie looked down to his attractive, but decidedly Mer trousers which were all he was wearing, then back to us.

When he did, he grinned.

I preferred bald, bulky, marked and midnight, like my husband.

But smiling, Jorie was not difficult on the eyes.

“I have a feeling I’ll be found out as Mer if I don’t at least change,” he jested.

“Go, now, then follow us,” Aramus ordered. “We’ll leave word at the castle you’re to be treated like a king until my wife and I can attend you. We will not take long, however, and then we shall be away.”

“Well I hope they treat me like a king, since I am one,” Jorie retorted.

Aramus didn’t bother to reply.

He looked down at me.

“Let’s go home, baby. It’s time.”

I nodded, guiding him to the edge of the water.

Before I led us in, I halted as my husband spoke.

“It was an unusual start,” he called to Jorie and got the other king’s attention. “But from here on, Jorie, King of the Mer, you have my vow to ally our kingdoms for the good of all who make a home in or by the sea.”

Well, that was well said.

Pride swelled in my chest.

Jorie dipped his chin into his neck.

Aramus dipped his into his neck.

And then, I led my husband into the water so I could take us home.

126

The Legends

Queen Farah

Base of the Night Heights Mountain Range

AIREN

“I cannot begin to explain how, at this juncture, a renegade witch with an untrained army running amuck in my realm might do irrevocable damage to a mission we both share that it is crucial, in going about it, we find victory,” Cassius stated to the woman standing before him, and he did this through gritted teeth.

I stood by my husband who, I noted after a sidelong glance, agreed with Cass for he did not appear as angry as Cassius, but I could see he was not happy.

“Rest assured, Fern has the best interest of this mission at heart, my prince,” the woman, her name Elsa, replied.

“I’m fully aware of that,” Cassius retorted. “That is not at issue. At issue is the renegade part of my earlier statement.”

Elsa looked uncomfortable.

“Where is she?” Cassius demanded.

“I am not in the know of that,” Elsa answered.

“It’s my understanding you’re her ranking general here,” Cass replied.

“Her mission is top secret,” Elsa shared.

“From her Regent?” Cass bit out.

“Sire—” she began.