face. “Of course, why?”
“You were moaning out loud while sipping it with your eyes closed.” My mouth drops open, suddenly realizing what I had done. I look down, even more embarrassed that I hadn’t realized that I had been making noises even if the coffee is divine. My hands are still wrapped around the mug sitting on the table. I feel the touch of strong fingers on my own, and I glance up.
“If you are still tired, don’t worry about what they say. Drink and enjoy that coffee however you want,” Tane whispers to me with a small smile upon his lips.
I am thankful that he seems to understand my issue with the lack of sleep all because he invaded my dreams, and also that he is trying to help me not feel even more embarrassed by my actions. The door opens again behind me and I hear my father’s laughter, which surprises me. Tane pulls his touch away from me. I couldn’t remember the last time I heard my father laugh. I just hope Rita has learned not to screw my father over again or I will kill her.
My father enters the room holding onto Rita’s hand and pulls her straight to the food. They fill their plates as the rest of us watch them interact, and we are all completely silent as they laugh at something that only they know. They both turn around, facing us seated at the table. They both have smiles on their faces as they see us all looking at them. We all probably have our mouths gaping open. My father just says good morning to us all with that same smile on his face. I turn my head to look at Natal.
She has a smirk on her face. She looks at me and leans close. “He just got laid. Only reason to be that damn cheerful in the morning,” she tells me.
Seriously, that’s why he has been so grouchy? Stubborn ass that he has been and now he’s in a much better, even delighted, mood all because of Rita? Still weary of what Rita may do to hurt my father this time, I try to dismiss the thought and hope Rita knows she is being watched by me. I will rip every scale out of her fin if she hurts him again. Plus, I don’t even want to think of those two together. Gross. Some things a daughter refuses to think of when it comes to her father.
After breakfast is over, I have consumed two caramel macchiatos and am feeling more myself, so it is time to get busy. I know I need to get out and see more people in the realm to let them know to be on the lookout. Even if my father doesn’t want to include them in this fight, we need to be on the lookout and be vigilant at all times. Natal decides to join me today in going out and speaking with other myrs.
First is an older family in the realm. They have five children that are grown and three of them are married. We explain what is going on and that they need to be on the lookout for strangers and not to approach them, but notify a sentry or someone at the palace. They also agree to pass on the information to others. Natal always has a following of myr-men and I notice a few swimming behind us at a distance. I look to her. Why don’t we use your faithful followers to help spread the word? She smiles at me and winks. We stop and turn. The four men I saw trailing us stop and the looks of surprise on their faces that we saw them is priceless. Natal waves them to come closer. They all swim as fast as their fins can move them. Gods know she would never go to them. They would always have to come to her.
I could hear Natal speak to all of them at once. Gentlemen, I thank you all for looking out for me and Leia and being our protectors as we are visiting families. I need a favor though.
Of course, all of them spoke up at once, Of course!
Anything for you!
You only need to ask!
I am at your service, Beauty!
I roll my eyes at their eagerness. However, Natal goes on as if there is nothing different about the eager-to-please looks they are giving her. I am sure she is used to being helped in every way. I think I would find it annoying if I had that attention all the time.
I am sure you have all heard about the upcoming threat of war to Poseidon and this realm. There are so many myr-families here and we need to get the word out that if they see anyone out of place or skulking around to help by notifying one of the sentries, and not take it upon themselves to directly confront them, but to let others know so Poseidon or the sentry can deal with them. Can you help me reach out and speak to the other myr-families? Let them know to be careful and on the lookout for those lurking around?
She was so sincere that I believed her. Of course, the dedicated followers of hers are just as helpful as I knew they could be. They all look so exuberant to help in anyway Natal needs. All I can hear is confirmations from them that they will do whatever she bids. I would be happy to help you.
Anything for you, my beauty, I would go to the ends of the world for you.
I would do anything you ask.
She smiles her hundred-watt smile at them and plays her part well. She raises her hands to stop their continuous praise to her. Oh, I knew I could count on you all to help with this. Please go out and let everyone know. I am truly grateful for the strong and loyal myr-men you are, and I will never forget your help in keeping my home safe.
You can see the men’s chests puff up as she goes on. Go now, my loves, and spread the word, she basically commands them in a sweet way they never saw coming. They bow to her, a couple of them grabbing each of her hands and laying a kiss on the back of it. They then turn away quickly and are off to do Natal’s bidding.
I swear you could find your own followers and run your own army the way they want to do your bidding so easily.
Natal laughs at my comment, Hmm, that is an idea for the future; my own personal army of myr-men. I just shake my head at her. We both know she is more than capable of doing that.
We take off to the next myr-family. It is another older family in the kingdom that has been here for generations and has a lot of family members. We tell them the same as we had the others: not to confront anyone that looks out of place or that they’ve never seen before, just to notify the sentry guard or one of the people helping my father.
Throughout the day we go from one family to the next until we are exhausted, plied with food, smiles, and all of the families that will look out for each other and warn all if anyone looks out of place. I turn to Natal and tell her we need to return home before we are late for dinner and father hears about what we are doing. He would not approve of us getting involved, yet it is only right that people here know what to look for and always stay cautious. The more information that is out there, the better others can protect themselves and those around them.
This evening we are once again sitting and eating dinner, and I am glancing under my lashes at Tane sitting across from me. It is hard to keep focus on different conversations when my mind keeps going back to him and the night we spent swimming together. Every so often I see him glance at me.
I hope he is thinking of last night as I am. Plus that damn erotic dream keeps popping into my head. Before I realize it, everyone is done eating and some leave to rest for the evening. Father is enamored with Rita and constantly stroking her arm, smiling like a myr-boy. It is nauseating. I look up and Natal is wishing everyone a good evening. Who knows if she is really going to bed or if she has a myr-man in mind to torment? Plus, I think she is hoping to help me spend a little more time with Tane.
“Have a good evening, Father,” I tell him as I stand. Tane looks at me, waiting for me to give him a cue from the expression on his face. Father finally looks up and realizes almost everyone has left and he didn’t notice with his concentration on one particular person only.
“Good night, sweetling. I will see you tomorrow. Rest well,” he responds to me finally. He then turns his attention
