to destroy the invaders.”
Cahira shrugged. “When the ships get close enough, I’ll blow them up.”
The Chameleon motioned to the Embraced soldiers, who were already running to the bluff overlooking the harbor. “Let the army handle it. They need the practice.”
Cahira waved a dismissive hand. “It would be so much simpler if I—”
“The general is right,” Brody interrupted with a shaky voice. “Our soldiers need the practice so they will be ready to take over the mainland. I can foresee this.”
Cahira sighed. “Very well, Burien.”
The Chameleon gave him a thoughtful look. “What else do you see, old man?”
Brody pointed a trembling hand toward the ships. “The kings from the mainland have come to destroy us. If we defeat them now, their countries will be ours for the taking.”
The Chameleon’s eyes glinted with silver. “Leo of Eberon is out there? And Brigitta’s husband?”
Brody nodded. “I can see them.”
The Chameleon dashed down the hallway, and soon they saw him running across the garden to join the Embraced army on the bluff.
Brody exhaled with relief. Now that the Chameleon was gone for a while, he could deal with Cahira.
The Sea Witch tapped her fingers on the stone balustrade. “I suppose this is a blessing in disguise. Now that the mainland kings are attacking us, it gives us the perfect opportunity to kill them. And if the army fails to defeat them, I can still blow up the ships. Either way, we’re going to win.” She turned to Brody and smiled. “Shall we go ahead and eat?”
“Yes, my dear.” Brody squeezed Maeve’s hand as she helped him to the table. It was time for them to get started. “We have much to discuss over lunch. Maeve has decided on the man she wishes to marry.”
Cahira’s smile faded. “She will marry whomever I tell her to.”
“No, I won’t.” Maeve gave her mother a defiant look. “You would never allow me to marry the man I love, because you think he’s dead. You think you killed him.”
Cahira rolled her eyes. “Whatever are you mumbling about?”
“You’ve been living with the false assumption that you killed Prince Brodgar of the Isle of Moon,” Brody explained.
Cahira blinked. “Burien, what’s happened to your voice?”
“I am Prince Brodgar.” Brody shifted into his true self, and Cahira stumbled back with a gasp.
“What? Who?” Her eyes widened with horror. “Wh-where’s my Burien?”
“Dead.” Brody strode toward her. “I buried him on the Isle of Moon.”
“No.” Cahira stepped back again. “Not my Burien . . .”
“You murdered my father and brother and put a curse on me.” Brody shoved his robe back to reveal his sword belt and gripped the hilt of his weapon. “I would gladly kill you for your crimes, but I will show mercy if you remove my curse. And Gavin’s, too.”
Cahira gave him a confused look. “You . . . you’re the boy I cursed in the ocean? You were one of the princes?”
“Mother, please,” Maeve pleaded. “Remove the curse now. Prince Brodgar is the man I want to marry.”
“No!” Cahira turned to her daughter, her eyes flashing with rage. “You betrayed me, you ungrateful whelp! I will never help you or this . . . this mistake!” She motioned toward Brody.
“If I marry him, all the islands will be united again,” Maeve argued. “Isn’t that what you want? Your descendants will rule—”
“No!” Cahira screamed. “The islands are mine!” She dashed into the hallway. “Guards!” She ran toward the throne room. “Arrest my daughter! And kill that man!”
“The guards are gone,” Brody shouted. “You will do as I say, Sea Witch!” As he chased after her, he heard Maeve let out a moan.
“Not the throne room.”
* * *
When Kendric reached the front door, the two guards saluted him.
“What’s going on, General? Have they come to attack us?”
Kendric glanced at the ocean, where all fourteen ships were now clearly visible. “My soldiers will defeat them. You two go upstairs to guard the queen.”
“Aye, General.” They saluted and rushed inside.
Kendric sprinted across the garden, past the two ponds and clipped hedges. His soldiers were on the bluff above the harbor, but they hadn’t taken any action yet. The ships were too far away for Alfred’s lightning power to reach them.
A sudden blast of wind slammed into Kendric, knocking him onto his back. Dammit, that had to be that bastard Rupert, who had stolen Brigitta from him. He scrambled to his feet and fought against the wind to join his soldiers, who were struggling just to stand up. Meanwhile the enemy ships were coming in