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“I don’t mean to be disrespectful. It’s just I’ve never had a mermaid ask a price before. It’s such a strange concept. If she wants something, she gets it.” He’s still kneeling in front of me.
“Do you get everything you want?”
Another laugh—this one isn’t as robust as the last. “That’s a strange concept. I don’t want what I shouldn’t have. And if I shouldn’t have it, I don’t want it.” He stands and takes the nextklarama, or traditional gown, from the hanger. “This one will look even better on you.”
I glance in the mirror again, and I don’t think that’s possible. It’s not vanity. I can still see my flaws. But thisklaramais magical in the way it is hiding them. My ass has never been this round, and my breasts are perfectly round and high enough I could use them as a ledge to store my phone. Which I’m still missing. But a little less now. If that’s possible.
He wiggles the midnight blueklaramawith golden trim. It’s not like any of the other ones I’ve tried on. “Oh, I think you will like this one.” Rockney’s smile is infectious. When he twirls it in front of me, I can see the fleeting glimpses of blue and gold, but otherwise it’s almost black.
Black like unmated mermaids wear when they are looking to change domes.
Rockney wrinkles up his nose at me, his twinkling blue eyes reminding me of Holter’s.
“It’s awfully dark.”
“It is. But then you don’t have four mates, do you?”
“No.”
“It’s not inappropriate. Tiana Kieran of Permula Dome purchased one of this same fabric last year. A completely different design. Have you met Tiana?”
“No, I’ve only met a few people at the ceremony and at Glyden Dome.”
“Tiana has a mixed pod.”
Mixed pod? I’m wondering if this is another weird confusion between Dorian and English.
“You’re confused. I believe I used the right word. She has mates from Permula, Diamont, and Stele. Five in total, and they are expecting a podling any day now.”
“I thought...” I thought mermaids couldn’t take mates from other domes. But of course, that’s what the guys would want me to think. Because it makes it that much easier to control me if I don’t pick mates from other domes. They’ll be able to secure me as a full-functioning, Glyden-only mermaid. Able to create a podling a year for the home team. Like my dad’s prized heifers. I clear my throat. “You are very informative, Rockney. And kind.”
“Thanks. So are you. My brother will be at the ball. I would love to introduce you to him.”
And there it is. My uncle always said everyone who’s being kind to you has an underlying motive. And that bastard certainly knows an underlying motive when he sees one. “I’ll be sure to find him. I’ll take both dresses. After all, Castor told me to get everything I need.” I glance at my watch. I’m due back in a few minutes, and I’ve taken so much time finding things for thekomipidu. This ball scares the living daylights out of me. The docking ceremony was rigid with customs and things that had to be followed, but this sounds like chaos. I’ve neglected to even glance at the everyday clothes I need the most. “I need to get back to the Glyden Dome. “Can you please pick out a few blue and gold things for me to use every day?”
“I’d be more than happy to send things over for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Annabelle, it’s not my place to say this, but you do know that when a male mates you, he no longer owns any property. You do. Everything that was Nico Callis’s is yours.”
“What?”
“I apologize. It’s just that you seemed hesitant to purchase this because of the cost, and you are one of the richest mermaids in the Veiled City, one of the wealthiest people on the planet.”
“Excuse me?” I blurt it out, and it’s clear he thinks I’m rebuking him. He holds his hands up and moves behind his counter. “Oh, Rockney, you’re right. I didn’t know that.” I swallow. “I appreciate you telling me. I’ll look for your brother at thekomipidu. Can my little faux pas stay between the two of us?” I smile, my lips wet, my head cocked.
He laughs. “You are becoming quite the mermaid.”
I’m not sure how I should take that, but I say, “Thank you.”
“Have a wonderful day, Annabelle.”
We bow to each other. It feels weird leaving the store without anything, but Holter told me that’s how it’s done. I pause by the door, readying myself for the hustle, and stare out into the main corridor.
I swallow. This is pushing it. Pushing, it’s just the thing that Nico and Castor need. They’re not going to let me go. And I’ve been “behaving” like a loyal fool. If I’m ever going to get any more autonomy, I need to get some space from Glyden. The males of the dome are circling like vultures. Rockney has told me more than Nico since I’ve known him. Okay, not really, but he boiled it down to some important facts.
Holter is sitting on a bench next to the door talking to someone who stands, quickly walking away, before I get there. Holter stands as I approach. “That didn’t take long.”
