Page 66 of Retrograde

“So I have an idea,” I hedged.

“Oh crap, your ideas are always lots of trouble,” she grumbled.

“You’re not wrong, but they normally have a high payout too,” I countered. “Olwen is currently enjoying the PR from my last idea.”

She was quiet a moment. “That was you? I had to put on sunglasses to deal with the way he’s glowing even all the way over here.”

I chuckled. “Yes, that was me. Long story, but I got him the info and helped. Want some glow too?” I knew the answer without even needing to ask.

Mostly because Orchid didn’t plan on being second princess… She was going to take the throne.

Not by killing her sister or anything heinous. She was going to win it by merit since it didn’t automatically go to the firstborn in their monarchy.

And she was the much,muchbetter candidate.

Without a doubt.

“Back to my date,” I said. “The restaurant’s main special is ‘mermaid tail—’”

Orchid just growled and then I knew I was on mute. I tried not to laugh, but when it dragged on long enough that the server came back with part of our order, I started chuckling. But then I frowned because it wasn’t just our drinks—checked by my security—and a basket of bread.

It was a whole lot of extras I wasn’t ready for. Huh?

“You only ordered your boil, but a lot of their apps and other combos are amazing,” he explained. “Most get them as apps since these are quick, but the boils take a while.”

Cool.

“I’m back and calm enough to talk about your country’s sick fantasies about eating my people,” she said, her tone hostile.

I nodded when Zev frowned. “Most truly don’t think of it that way, but we know that’s where a lot of it started and the history. The elders and older dragons especially mocking thatthe best way to deal with a mermaid or siren is to gulp it down while flying.”

“I seriously never knew that. I just thought—okay, gross,” Zev said with a groan. “Yup, now I get it.”

“Glad you’re educating the uneducated,” Orchid mocked, Zev not liking that, but… He deserved it.

“I think now that you’re done with your schooling too and working for your mother’s government, you should propose a resolution across several nations. One of understanding and putting to rest old resentments,” I told her. “In exchange for my making a decree that places stop being gross and putting mermaid tails on menus or referring to lobsters that way—”

“We ban using dragon as cringe ploys to sell stupid scooters,” she drawled. “The sirens would love that. That whole new perfume line from one of your influencers basically lying that they have essence of a sirenin ithas pissed them off beyond belief.”

“I don’t know about that, and even without the deal, I will shut that down. That’s—no, that’s too much,” I grumbled. “I’ll look into that. Disgusting. They’re people, not animals to—seriously, it’s a miracle we don’t all finish our days with bottles of wine.”

She snorted. “I heard someone leaked you like Khirriln wine and now your media did a story trying to talk to classmates if you have a drinking problem.”

“For the love of the gods,” I grumbled. “Well, I want to get to my food that smells really good. Are you in?”

She was quite a moment. “Yes, I’m in, and not just because of why you think. I agree with the sentiment and your position on this. We’re all just people and—enough is enough.”

“Good. Let me know what you draw up and if you want any help. Treena would have some input on—who has the wolfskin jackets?” I nodded when she groaned.

Yup, every country had some such bullshit that was grotesque and demeaning to a different species. We finished the call and I let out a slow breath, meeting Zev’s gaze and waiting for his response.

“I’m sorry.”

I wasn’t ready for that and even my dragons were confused. “For?”

“I was one of the people who said I thought you studying abroad was stupid and a way for you to have fun instead of learning about Thovudin like our future ruler should,” he admitted as he started serving me food I didn’t ask for. It was clearly because he was nervous, so I let it go. “I didn’t think you were broken or a freak your parents were hiding.

“It was clear how much they loved and valued you every time they spoke of you.” I was glad when he went on and didn’t catch my reaction to that. “But I thought you were messing around and—I thought it was valid when I grew up a bit. Like you were getting a chance to live life before you lived for Thovudin.”