that Nevis and his group were planning to use linen strips to tie up the guards. With a guard still stationed outside her door, Maeve had decided to follow Nevis’s lead.
She had invited Ruth to share her breakfast, and while they ate, she’d explained who the Seer really was. Once Ruth had recovered from her shock, she’d sworn to help Maeve and Brody. She was already helping Nevis, who had told her the battle would happen today. Now Maeve was even more worried about her bad dream coming true.
“You should have wakened me.” Brody jumped out of bed and pulled on some breeches. “We have to get ready.”
Maeve swallowed hard. “For the battle?”
“Aye.” Brody buttoned his shirt. “Leo and all the ships have probably set sail by now. By noon, they plan to rendezvous with the elfin ships near the island.”
A knock sounded on the door.
“Burien!” Cahira called. “Are you awake?”
“Dammit,” Brody muttered and he leaped back into bed.
“Just a minute!” Maeve yelled back. She covered up her linen strips with a tablecloth, then rushed to the bed to tug the covers up to Brody’s chin. “My mother came earlier this morning,” she whispered. “I chased her off, saying you’d finally fallen asleep after a rough night.”
Brody touched her cheek. “It was a glorious night. Are you all right?”
“Of course.” Another knock sounded at the door, and she slipped his hand beneath the covers. “Behave.”
She unlocked the door, and Cahira sauntered in, followed by Ruth carrying a breakfast tray.
“Oh, at last you’re awake.” Cahira rushed to the Seer’s bedside. “I was worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” Brody said in a shaky voice. When he struggled to sit up, Cahira helped him. “I just needed some rest.”
“Of course.” Cahira grabbed the tray from Ruth and set it on his lap. “And now you need some hot porridge.”
Maeve bit her lip to keep from smiling. She knew how much Brody hated porridge.
Brody gave Cahira a strained smile. “Thank you, my dear.”
Cahira patted him on the shoulder. “It’s a joy to take care of you, Burien. If you need me, I’ll be in my workroom. Ruth can clean up your dressing room.” She strode toward the door.
“I was thinking . . .” Brody started, and Cahira turned to face him with a questioning look. “Your garden is so lovely, what with the hedges clipped into different shapes and the colored ponds—”
“Of course it’s lovely.” Cahira preened. “I designed it myself.”
Brody smiled at her. “I would love to have lunch with you on the balcony, so I could admire both you and your garden.”
“Oh, what a wonderful idea!” Cahira clasped her hands together. “A luncheon party for just the two of us.”
Brody slumped over and said in a weak voice, “I don’t think I can make it there without my daughter.”
Cahira shot Maeve an annoyed look. “Very well. But if we invite her, then I will also invite Kendric. Surely if he spends more time with Maeve, he will see that she would make a much better wife than that silly Brigitta.”
Maeve gritted her teeth. Soon, she would be telling her mother exactly whom she was planning to marry.
“That would be perfect,” Brody said. “We’ll be there shortly before noon.”
“Excellent. I’ll have the servants get to work on it right away.” Cahira strolled out the door.
Maeve motioned for Ruth to stay behind; then she locked the door. Noon? Obviously, Brody wanted to be on the balcony so he could see when the ships arrived.
He moved the tray aside, then jumped out of bed.
Ruth gasped. “He really is a young man.”
Brody stopped in his tracks. “Oh. I can explain.”
“Don’t worry,” Maeve assured him. “I told Ruth everything this morning. She wants to help us. She’s already helping Nevis.”
Ruth nodded. “It’s been breaking my heart to see the babies I took care of turned into killers. And the others rejected and forced to work, even the little ones . . .” Her eyes filled with tears. “And when I think about how Gavin was cursed and you, too . . .”
“I’m glad you’re on our side.” Brody touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll make Cahira lift the curse on Gavin.”
Maeve thought back to when her mother had threatened to turn the Chameleon into a mouse. “What if she just makes it worse? If we capture her and threaten her, she might turn you into an animal permanently to be rid of you.”
Ruth shook her head. “You needn’t worry about that. She’s already cursed Brody and Gavin. A