Page 49 of Chasing Tail

“Why do you magically drug the mermen instead of just telling them you don’t want to mate?” Forrest asked.

“Because they don’t listen, and you have to fight them anyway to shut them up. Does that work on land?”

“Most of the time,” Tristan chuckled. “It’s really fun to beat the shit out of the ones who don’t listen.”

“That’s confusing. Anyway, if you can slip this potion to them, we can pull this off,” I said.

“The plan isn’t finished yet, Kishi. Think this through and hear them out. They’ve already told you what’s at risk several times. I like them, and I know you do too. Staying on land with them doesn’t sound horrible. We wouldn’t have to fight all the time, and we could still have the ocean. We just have one more big fight left.”

I grabbed Taron and kissed him. That was all I needed to hear. He came here for me and risked everything, but it sounded like he found happiness here. I could be happy too. I was one of the best hunters in the ocean, and I knew that took patience. I didn’t know enough about my prey to kill it yet, but I had ample help.

“Sorry,” I said. “I’m sure there’s more to your plan.”

“There is. The druid king has a bottle of wine sent up every morning. It’s already been tasted for poison and spells. They pour from it all day and finish it before bed. All of his children need to make it a point to dine with him that night. Keep him busy talking. We’ll sneak Kishi and Taron through the palace and add the potion to the bottle.

“All of you will go back to your beds and sleep after that. Yes, we sought you out because we wanted you to know what we are doing, and we want Callum on the throne, but we aren’t turning any of you into killers. You’ll hold lives in your hands when you’re king, but we aren’t putting the blood of your father on your hands,” Tristan said.

“Kishi and Taron will be with us,” Adamo said. “She might not be used to land, but Kishi said she’s a hunter and understands stealth. Taron doesn’t have his teeth, but I’ll bet he can handle himself just fine in a fight. They need to be there, even if they aren’t the ones sending them to their final death.”

“We want to do it,” I blurted it. “I still don’t understand how you’re going to do it without putting the blame on someone.”

Adamo leaned forward and smirked.

“We’re good at this, little mermaid. You’ll get your revenge, and your people will be safe. Not a single soul will guess it was murder. Then, you can build yourself a little land harem right on the beach and have everything.”

I believed them. We just needed to kill a king and queen, and I could have everything I never knew I wanted when I was still in the ocean.