“Absolutely not—”
“It’s perfect,” he laughed, ignoring me. “And this time,” his grin widened, “you can’t even say no because it’s the best idea we’ve got. Unless you’d rather let Adriana tell you what to do?”
Raena took a nervous step towards us. “I know it’s not ideal since it’s so pretty and there’s probably some lovely shops in that town,” she chewed her lip, scrunching her nose, “but we could always just… stay here in the coral forest instead of going with Adriana?”
“Quiet, human,” Arenn snarled loud enough to make her yelp.
That was it.
“Prince Arenn,” I roared. Both Arenn and Raena jumped, and I swear even the fish paused to listen. “You are not to make anyone here your pet. Do you understand?”
The pair of them trembled, but I didn’t continue until Arenn gave me a shaky nod.
“We’re going to sit here and wait for Adriana to return and then we are going to find a nice place in the coral forest to wait until Sweetie is rested.”
Arenn’s lips thinned while Raena turned her chin to stare at the town almost longingly.
The options swirled around my mind. I supposed I could let her go with Adriana and watch over Arenn myself, but did I trust him enough to sit alone in a forest with him? The sudden sinking feeling in my stomach answered for me. But when the anxiety faded, another idea popped into my head – silly enough to make me chuckle.
Both Arenn and Raena looked at me, confused.
“What’s so funny?” Arenn grumbled.
“I have another idea.” With excitement bubbling in my chest, I smiled. “You’re going to glamour me.”
“Naria, look! They have gown shops!” Raena squealed, pointing giddily towards another row of shops nestled within the mermaid town. “Maybe we can find your wedding dress here?”
“Wedding dress?” Arenn sputtered. “Tell me you are not about to marry that foul—”
“Quiet, pet,” I barked at him. His lips clamped shut, and both Raena and I had to swing our hands up to hide our giggles. Neither of us missed the rage simmering in his gaze. He looked furious enough to murder us both had I not been glamoured as a noble mermaid and he a mere human.
“Let’s go in there!” Raena tugged on my arm, pulling me towards a shop decorated with seaflowers.
Letting her lead, I swam closer to the shop’s entrance, my extravagant lavender tail swishing behind me. While Arenn had clearly not been impressed with my idea to get us into the town, that didn’t stop him from glamouring me with the most gorgeous mermaid tail and delicate shell top. Even Raena couldn’t hide her awe. Though any pride that had worked its way onto his lips had long since gone – especially now I was really starting to enjoy ordering him around.
“Come now, pet.” I crooked a finger at him when he lingered in the street. Around him, dozens of merfolk swam by with overflowing shopping baskets, the occasional human pet paddling along beside them. Arenn remained glaring at me until a particularly wiry-looking mermaid drew a little too close and brushed his shoulder, then he was back by my side, following me through the shop’s open door before I could utter another word.
“I should’ve just glamoured all three of us,” he said, shuddering.
“Too late for that now,” I chuckled before hundreds of bubbles whooshed out of me at the sight of the shop’s interior.
Swirling columns of multicoloured coral spiralledfrom floor to ceiling while hundreds of gowns floated lazily on their racks, secured to rails by thin seaweed hangers. As the garments swayed with the current, their colours changed, shimmering from seafoam-green to iridescent blues and soft pinks. It was all so beautiful, I couldn’t help but follow Raena further inside.
In the centre of the shop was a display of white marble mannequins, some with tails coiled beneath them and others showcasing different sized human legs. Each mannequin was dressed in a fine gown crafted from silky pink fabric. The skirts puffed up like jellyfish while pearls decorated the models’ necks and wrists.
“I think I would actually murder someone to wear a gown like this,” Raena sighed, not blinking as she stroked the shimmering garment.
Before I could agree, a new, cheery voice sounded over my shoulder. “Can I help you three with anything today? These particular gowns are leftovers from our summer collection!”
Turning, I came face to face with a short, rosy-cheeked mermaid. Her mango-coloured tail swayed gently beneath her.
“Oh!” She startled at the sight of Arenn and Raena. “What adorable little pets.” She peered closer at the pair. “Wherever did you find such darlings?”
Raena smiled bashfully as I tried my best to come up with a convincing story. “This one I found wandering along the beach after a human garden party.” I touched Raena’s shoulder tenderly. “And this one…” I turned my focus to Arenn, scrunching my nose. “I found washed up on some island somewhere. He was all tangled in netting and reeked of fish. Until I saved him, of course.”
Arenn shot me a look which I ignored, tossing my hair back with a smile.
“What would they do without us, hmm?” The shop assistant shook her head, passing Arenn a pitiful look. “Such silly, helpless things.”
