This was part of our plan. We make an entrance together, then I’d go find a quiet place to hide while she worked the room. I had no doubt that she’d find Fenris and kiss the sticks out of him.
Mom saw my approach and waved me forward before turning to face a surly group of mermaids.
“I want names,” Mom said.
One of the mermaids saw me and rolled her eyes.
“Will you please tell your mom we weren’t the ones to scratch you?”
River stared at me from the back of the group. Jannette was standing right next to her.
I turned to Mom, my lips curving in a sultry smile.
“Fish are food, not fiends, Mom. Who cares what they did or didn’t do?”
Mom’s angry scowl melted into amusement.
“Witty girl.” Her gaze shifted to the mermaids. “Adira made me promise I wouldn’t feed on Uttira’s young tonight. But I never promised not to play with them. Go have fun, my little minnows.”
I could feel the wave of coercion Mom released.
“Spread love, not hate,” I said, giving an extra push that evolved into a rather forceful shove.
Lannie moaned, grabbed Dash by his short green hair, and kissed the heck out of him in front of us while the rest stumbled away. The lust and need coming off of River was enough to stir my hunger, and I regretted not feeding more.
“Adira made me promise not to feed, but she said nothing about you,” Mom said.
“I’m fine. I ate before I arrived.”
“Mrs. Quill already let me know. She said it was the most she’d ever seen you eat at once. She was quite proud.”
Given the stream of people passing us, I sent Mom a pleading look.
“Can we please not talk about this now? Do you need help with anything?”
She hooked her arm through mine. “Not at all. Tuff only called me here because I’d asked to be notified about any mermaids.” We started walking toward the bar. “I gather from your comment the offender was in their midst?”
“Yes. But, honestly, she doesn’t matter. Megan will be home soon. I’d rather let her deal with the injustices here than have you risk upsetting her by handing out justice yourself.”
Mom laughed.
“Please. I met the fledgling. The fury was protective of Oanen, not angry for any perceived wickedness. I would be fine and so would Megan.” She patted my arm. “But I promised to be on my best behavior tonight.”
We stopped at the bar. “Now, what can Ymir get for you?”
A giant looked up from the drink he was making.
“Notthe Ymir, just Ymir.”
“A chocolate martini mocktail, please.”
“They’re all mocktails tonight,” he said with a smile before addressing Mom. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’m fine, Ymir. And if Eliana wants anything stronger tonight, you have my permission to oblige her.”
I looked down quickly and pretended to fix my dress so no one would see my eyes and know how I’d taken Mom’s words. I should have eaten more.
“That’s a lovely dress, Eliana,” Mom complimented. “It’ll match your eyes if you don’t hide their color.”
