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killed her. As much as she loved children, life had made that decision for her long before now.
    “Laurel?” Bridget prompted.
    “You’re saying I’m immortal?” Laurel asked.
    “I’m saying—” Bridget began only to stop as Brutus interrupted them.
    “There you are. Why did you leave my home?”
    Laurel automatically looked at his legs to assure herself they were there. She tried to detect a hint of his scaly alter ego in the strong muscles and flesh. He appeared normal. Well, as normal as a sexy Caesar gladiator type merman cult member could appear. At his expectant look, she said the only thing she could think of, “I don’t want to drown.”
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    B rutus gazed at Laurel in relief, happy that she had not wandered off into a room full of men. He knew she’d be safe in the palace. Nothing would happen to her, other than the fact she might pick up more suitors.
    “Lord Brutus,” Bridget said, stepping forward to demand his attention. “I’ve been telling your ward about the Merr.”
    Brutus frowned. “I already told her.”
    “Yes, yes you did.” Bridget nodded. She gave Laurel a small smile. “I was filling in a few of the details you left out.”
    “But, I was going to tell her of the details.” He grimaced and turned his full attention back to Laurel. Now, what was he going to talk to her about? He’d been practicing how he would explain to her the story of why their underwater world came to be. If he spoke slowly and in great detail the conversation could have lasted for hours.
    “My lord.” Bridget gestured that he should walk with her. He began to refuse, but her hard look demanded that he follow her. “Give us a moment, Laurel. I need to discuss hunter business with Lord Brutus.”
    Laurel nodded and turned back to the mermaid mural. There was a sadness in her as she touched a tiny spot on the depiction of a beach. Perhaps Bridget did not do as good a job as he when it came to explaining things. The idea gave him hope.
    Leading him down the hall where they could still see the newcomer but not be overheard, Bridget said, “Demon told me you surfaced. How are you?”
    “It was only my skin. It tingled, but there is no injury.” Brutus liked Lady Bridget. She had a big heart and divided her time caring for her family and caring for the Merr people. He wasn’t sure what she did in her laboratory, but he knew she worked to find out why the mermaid cult could breathe surface air while the rest of them could not. It was her insistence that the hunters eat a seaweed diet. It was probably that diet that kept the surface air from lighting him on fire.
    “I am very glad you are not hurt,” she said.
    He turned his attention to watch Laurel.
    “You have to stop staring at her like you want to devour her.”
    “I am only looking at her,” he defended.
    “You’re staring and your expression appears stern,” Bridget insisted. “Try to smile.”
    Brutus forced the sides of his mouth up.
    “Perhaps not so much,” Bridget said. “Smile like you smile at my children.”
    “She is not a child. Why would I treat her like such?”
    “I’m not saying she’s a…” Bridget sighed. “I’m not trying to be critical. I only want to help. But, I should not offer advice unless you ask for it.”
    “What am I supposed to say to her now? I was going to tell her the story of Atlantes and my people. It took me a walk through the palace to come up with that much.” He glanced to where Laurel stood. She was so beautiful. Even now his stomach tightened, and all thoughts tried to leave his head. “I practiced it.”
    “Let the conversation come naturally,” Bridget said. “Before you told her of the Merr, what were you two doing?”
    “I told her to eat. She ate. I counted how much food she took in to make sure it was enough. It was not. I can eat ten times what she consumed.” Brutus straightened in worry. “Should I force her to eat more?”
    “No,” Bridget said, a little too loud. Laurel