The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,107
crawling about the room, so hideous looking that he leaped into the room and hacked them to bits. Black hairy legs flew through the air. “Die, you ugly beasts!”
“What are ye doing?” Elinor asked from the doorway.
“Don’t worry. It’s safe now.” He sheathed his sword. “I killed them all.”
Her mouth twitched as she entered the room. “Ye didn’t have to do that. They would have turned back to paper in an hour or so.”
“That’s too long.” Dammit, why did she have to look so amused? “I hate spiders.” He motioned to the weapons stashed at the back of the building. “And we have to hide all these weapons. We couldn’t do that if the damned spiders were in the way.”
She nodded, her eyes still twinkling. “That’s true.”
He stepped over some dead spider parts to retrieve a sword from a table in the back. “Would you like a sword? This is a good one.”
“No thank you.” She patted her canvas bag of art supplies. “In my case, the pen is mightier than the sword.”
He smiled. “That’s true.” When she smiled back, his heart squeezed in his chest. He cleared his throat. “Have all the guards been dragged into the woods?”
“Yes. The children will be back soon to take the weapons away.” She stepped closer. “Ye do realize that ye’re their hero? Especially Quentin—he practically worships you.”
Nevis scoffed. “Whenever his gift appears, he’ll probably be able to kick my ass. I’ll never be Embraced like they are. Or you are.” To his surprise, she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck. “Wh-what are you doing?”
“Now ye’re embraced.”
Damn, if he didn’t suddenly feel twice as powerful.
“Oh, look!” Quentin was in the doorway with Peter and Hannah.
Nevis jumped back.
“What is it?” Bettina asked as she peered in the doorway. “Are the spiders still in there?”
“No.” Quentin pointed at Nevis. “The colonel was—”
“The colonel has killed all the spiders,” Elinor announced. “Ye can come in now.”
As the human Spiders filed in, Nevis and Elinor handed them all the swords, knives, and spears.
“Take these to the pit we dug, then cover them up,” Nevis ordered.
As they rushed outside, Quentin whispered loudly to the others, “I saw the colonel hugging the princess!”
Nevis winced. “Sorry.”
“Why should ye be?” Elinor frowned at him. “I’m the one who hugged you.”
“I realize that. And I’m grateful, but . . .”
Her beautiful blue eyes narrowed. “But what?”
“You’re a princess—”
“And ye’re a strong, brave, and handsome colonel. I don’t see a problem.” She folded her arms across her chest, glowering at him. “Why are ye just staring at me? Am I a mess?” She hooked a tendril of hair behind her ear.
She was a bit of a mess. Her hair was escaping her braid, and there was a smudge of dirt on her cheek, but he’d never thought her more desirable than she was now. He swallowed hard. “You’re always beautiful to me.”
Her gaze searched his. “Ye do like me, don’t you, Nevis?”
“How can anyone not like you? I’m sure you have plenty of suitors.”
“I only need one, if he’s the right one.”
“I’m not a nobleman.”
“Who said I wanted a nobleman?” With a huff, she turned to leave.
He caught her by the arm. “Is there truly a chance for me?”
She lifted her chin. “That’s up to you. Chances only happen when ye’re bold enough to claim them.”
“In that case . . .” He pulled her into his arms and planted his mouth on hers. And she responded, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him back. By the Light, he was in heaven, and Elinor was his angel.
“Oh, my goddesses, now they’re kissing!” Quentin yelled from the doorway.
Nevis broke the kiss with a groan.
“Shh.” Bettina pulled the boy away from the door.
Nevis slanted a worried look at Elinor, but she smiled back and gave him an encouraging nod.
With a smile, he took her hand and led her outside where the Spiders were waiting. “We’ve eliminated fifteen guards, but there are still fifteen more to go. Time for step two of the plan. Are you ready?”
The Spiders gave him a cheer, and they strode back into the woods, headed in the direction of the castle.
Chapter 22
“Are you all right?” Maeve asked when Brody woke up, still in the guise of the Seer.
He blinked, then sat up. “What time is it?”
“Midmorning.” She rose from her chair at the table in his sitting room. While he’d been sleeping, she’d been tearing her sheets into strips.
Earlier, when Ruth had brought Maeve her breakfast, the servant had mentioned