"How about this?" Beck asked after a while. "Gliding through the water like an eel, smooth and slippery, is the way your beauty makes me feel."
It was so terrible everyone burst out laughing, Zale included. "That's horrible! I love it."
"Happy to be of assistance."
"Who should I use it on this time? I can't always go for the same mermaid or she will think I have designs on her. Worrying about having a spy planted in the coral palace is the last thing I need."
"You do realize you're going to have to get married once you become the merking, don't you? You're going to need a queen. Concubines too," Taron pointed out.
Zale shuddered. He didn't even want to think about that yet. Harem infighting was what led to his mother's death. He didn't want to have to worry about multiple mermaids and the potential of getting his children killed because of jealousy.
