Zala nodded and did as the old man told, then turned her gaze back to me. “Dear girl, we understand we have not given you a reason to trust us, and we hope with time that will change. For now, we simply have a few more questions, and then this session will come to an end.”
I nodded, smug about the scowl on Calder’s face.
They asked me about my family. They didn’t seem happy to hear that I hadn’t cut ties with them after I was turned, but too bad. I told them the things I had noticed around town. I hoped I wasn’t getting the townsfolk into trouble with that one.
The next to speak was the other female. A kind looking woman with long, blond hair that cascaded down to a puddle where she sat, her tail a bright grass green.
“What about your companions? Based on the coloring of your scales, the person who turned you was Jason,” she looked over to Calder. "Your nephew, Councilman.”
“Yes, I’m rather proud of his accomplishment.” Calder replied.
I looked over my shoulder at Jason, his expression telling me he was torn. Probably happy about his uncle saying he was proud of him, but the thing he was proud about…well.
“These men are my mates.” I spoke up.
“All of them?”
“Yes,” I said firmly.
“No.”
My brow furrowed. “No?”
“Forgive me for saying this, but these men are not worthy to be anyone’s mate.” Calder pointed to my men. "A disgraced guardian, an outcast, not to mention a widowed Mer who couldn’t protect his own mate, and a broken royal. My nephew is the only worthy one in the bunch.”
“Calder!” several council members gasped.
“My apologies, but it’s true. Atalanta would only be able to really prosper if we found her a much more suitable harem.”
My mind reeled from what he had said. Looking at my men, I could see how his words had really hit them, and I wondered who he had meant for each title. Was one of them really a widow?
“And who would be in this harem?” the old man asked.
“That’s still to be decided. Atalanta, from what I’ve seen, is an extremely strong girl with much potential,” Calder smiled wickedly and stared down at me with possessiveness in his eyes. "I can think of a few candidates.”
I practically gagged right then and there. That’s what all this was about, he wanted me to himself! That was disgusting!
Thankfully, Calder’s intention was apparent to the other council members. They didn't say it aloud, but I could see the moment all of this had turned in my favor. Calder had used his power to pull a newly turned Mer away from her home and force an evaluation for his own personal gain.
“I believe it’s time for the council to move to the chambers so that we may make our decision. All in favor, say aye.”
There was an echo of agreement, Calder being the last to answer. Watching that dark satisfaction on his face fall was the highlight of my day. He knew he had shown his cards, and now their decision would fall out of his favor.
All at once, the council rose from their seats and swam up the pit back through the door in which they had come, leaving us a moment of peace.
The guys crowded around me. Petting my hair, touching my hands, giving me brief hugs and making sure that I was okay. With them, I didn’t feel so out of control. Usually after flashes, I felt so off kilter, but with them here, I was grounded.
“What do you think?” Jason asked.
“I think we have a good chance.” Percy said.
“Can we talk about how you’re a god damn prince?” Hip laughed.
I snapped around to look at Theseus. "Yeah! You’re a prince!”
“Former prince. I renounced my title years ago.”
“Doesn’t mean shit. Once a prince, always a prince. Royal blood and all that.” Jason smirked.
“Not just that, he said crown prince.” I touched his cheek. “Theseus, this was what you were going to tell me, wasn’t it?”
Slowly, he nodded. “I’m sorry for not telling you. My past, it’s a bit complicated. The townsfolk know who I am, but have long since accepted me as a normal Mer. I am Theseus, the community center janitor.”
I chuckled. "We all have a bit of a complex past. It’s what makes us who we are today. I won’t judge you for it.”
I turned, looking each of my men in the eyes. "As I will not judge any of you for your pasts. You may not be perfect, but you have done nothing but try to protect and provide for me. To me, you are who you are today, not who you were yesterday.”
They were quiet, Percy and Theseus looking lost in their memories while Hip and Jason looked at me with so much love.
It was Ajax who moved, sweeping me into a tight hug. Emotions flooded through me. Love, regret, acceptance. When he pulled back, he palmed my cheek and pressed a delicate kiss to my lips. He was so warm in the cool water, and his beard tickled my chin.
I pulled him closer to me as more of his emotions raged through his fingertips and into my body. Heat, passion.
One of the guys cleared their throats and we broke apart.
“Thank you,” Ajax whispered before letting me go.
I looked over at Percy, who gave me a sexy wink.
Hip inhaled. "I can smell your arousal from here.”
“Shit, shit, shit. This isn’t the time.” I waved my hands through the water around me, trying to see if I could disperse the scent somehow. The guys pressed in closer to me, their half naked bodies rubbing against my clothed one, not helping matters.
“Break it up, love birds. The council will be back any minute.” Callum called from somewhere in the room.
All six of us groaned, grumbled, and broke apart. I wanted them all, and I realized for the first time, it seemed they were truly beginning to accept the idea of us.
A few minutes later, the council returned. Calder’s dark look both sent a shiver down my spine and gave me some semblance of hope.
Once they were all seated, the old man spoke. "The council has come to a decision.”
“Seeing as this meeting was called on such short notice, and this is a delicate matter, the girl will return to the surface until an appropriate day is chosen.”
“As for the matter of her ‘mates’, appropriate ones will be decided for her.”
I was about to protest when Zala raised her hand. "Until then, you will be sent home with the five men you brought with you. Clearly, you have had a difficult life, and being turned has clearly put you in a fragile mental state. I determined that ripping you away from them will only damage you further.”
“You are a strong Mer, Atalanta North. When this council next meets with you, you will be even stronger.”
That wasn’t a statement, but a command.
“This trial has adjourned.”
I sagged in relief and turned to look at my men, all of us wearing stupid grins.
We had won. We were going home.
Looking at Calder, I could tell this wasn’t over.
Epilogue
Jason
Once we were escorted out of the council dome, a heavy weight had been lifted from my chest, and I could finally breathe. Uncle Calder hadn’t followed us out, staying behind to, I assume, rant angrily with his fellow councilmen.
The guard, Callum, followed us however, offering to show us the city, but all Atalanta wanted to do was go home. I couldn’t blame her, yet as we swam out of the city, I could see Atalanta looking back at it with a kind of longing.
“We could stay, you know. For a least a couple days,” I offered.
She shook her head. “No…maybe some other time? You can show me where you spent your summers. And maybe I can meet Percy and Theseus’s family?”