Evermore by Brenda Pandos

until Jack can finish the main house. How lovely of you to visit.”
    As Desirée passed, my mother shot me a glare. I shrugged. How was I to know the Regent would visit?
    I paced on the dock until Ash and Pearl finally joined me. Then I helped Pearl step onto the deck of the houseboat first.
    “What’s going on?” I asked Ash softly.
    “Nothing.” She smiled, but I could tell it was forced.
    “So, Ash, my sweet,” Desirée drawled. “I have to confess. We came for another reason.” She patted the seat next to her.
    Ash took a seat, eyes wide. “Yeah?”
    Oh, great. I braced myself for what Desirée would say next.
    “Do you want to tell her, Pearl?”
    Ash’s shoulders stiffened and she deadpanned her.
    Pearl smiled. “Well, we came to check things out first before Regent Desirée allowed Girra to come help you with the wedding planning.”
    “Girra?” Ash clarified. “What about Tatchi?”
    “Well, with Nicole being so young, I didn’t think it a good time to be visiting land, especially now that she’s walking. She’ll just toddle to any body of water, and shift without knowing any better, and she’s been so clingy.” Desirée paused, sounding almost jealous. “Well, unless you want to wait a year.”
    “No,” Ash said abruptly. “We need to get things going. Girra is fine.”
    My brow furrowed. What was she agreeing to? Ash would never allow Girra to take Tatchi’s spot in her right mind. Was she just trying to please her mother?
    “Great,” Desirée said. “She has been taking Tatiana’s classes, and of all my daughters, she’s the keenest on human lifestyle. I see you have the planning book.”
    Galadriel was pretty keen, too, but I didn’t necessarily want her here interfering. In Ash’s lap was a notebook that had pictures sticking out of it.
    Desirée leaned forward. “But she’ll need to be chaperoned.”
    My head jerked backward, and I knew exactly where this conversation was going, and I wouldn’t be her chaperone. No way. Especially not after my disaster with Galadriel.
    “Desirée—” Mom’s voice was low.
    “I think you mean Regent,” Desirée clarified.
    “Regent,” Mom said with a pert grin. “I think Jack should sit in on this meeting.”
    “Did I hear someone say meeting?” Jack stepped onto the boat and dusted off his hands. “Ooh, cookies.”
    Mom quickly filled Jack in on Desirée’s concerns as he wolfed down a few.
    Desirée pursed her lips, eyeing Dad with disdain. “I know you and I don’t see eye to eye on this, Jack, but the rules have been passed down through our generations for a reason. The fact I’m even letting her come here is a stretch for me.”
    “I understand,” Jack said around a mouthful. “But we’ve decided as a Council that we want to allow properly-trained mer to come on land.”
    “Yes, but I know my daughter,” Desirée interjected.
    “Well, if it will make you feel any better, I was going to suggest Fin.”
    My hands formed into fists, and I tried not to show my frustration. With everything going on, the last thing I wanted to do was babysit another princess. “I’m a little busy—”
    Desirée’s watchful eye landed on me and I stopped talking.
    “He’s promised. He’s responsible, and of anyone, he’s very qualified on human matters,” Dad added.
    Desirée lifted her chin, appraising me. “Then it’s settled.”
    “Wait,” I said quickly.
    Dad glared at me.
    “I think Ash should decide, I am her promised mate, which will mean she won’t have my full attention, right dear?”
    I hated that I put her on the spot, but she had to save me.
    “What?” Ash’s eyes flicked upward from the floor. “Sure whatever you guys want.”
    My mouth gapped open, then shut. Did she not hear the question? Then she bolted out of her seat.
    “Ash?” I asked.
    “I just remembered something. I need to go.” She leaned over and hugged Desirée. “Good to see you, Mother.”
    “Likewise, my sweet.” Desirée kissed her