The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,125
the other girl.
General Harden leaned close to Leo and whispered, “I have a feeling the Woodsman is going to acquire a new artist and gardener for Wyndelas Palace.”
Leo nodded. A new beginning for the older Embraced children would probably be for the best.
Just then, Nevis and Princess Elinor rushed through the door. When Nevis spotted Sorcha, he waved her over. “Thank the Light you’re here. Maybe Maeve will let you in.”
“What?” Sorcha hurried over to them, and Nevis quickly introduced her to Brody’s sister.
“I thought Maeve was in her bedchamber,” Leo said.
Elinor shook her head. “She’s locked herself in her mother’s workroom. We’re terribly worried about her. She refuses to open the door or even talk to us.”
Sorcha hissed in a breath. “This is bad. I’ll go see her right away.” She turned to Leo. “Send Rupert to Ebton Palace to bring our sisters here.”
“None of his ships are seaworthy at the moment,” Leo said.
“Then he can borrow one of our ships,” Sorcha insisted. “Brennan won’t mind.” She grabbed Elinor’s arm. “Now show me where this workroom is.”
Chapter 27
The next day, Nevis was standing on the balcony with Elinor, watching the scene before them. In the distance, Leo, Brennan, and the dragon shifters were repairing the ships with help from most of the seamen and soldiers. Down below in the garden, the children from the village and the Embraced army played while the older ones watched and talked.
The evening before, Nevis, Elinor, and Bettina had trekked back to the sea cave to meet the boat. After delivering the children ashore, Lobby and Tommy had listened to all the news.
“The Sea Witch is dead?” Lobby had asked. “’Tis safe now?”
“Aye, ’tis safe,” Elinor reassured them. “There are now four ships from the Isle of Moon in the harbor. I’ll have no trouble finding a ride back home.”
“We’ll take you back,” Tommy offered. “After all, this is yer boat.”
Elinor smiled. “I’m thinking two brave men like you deserve a reward. The boat now officially belongs to you.”
Lobby and Tommy gasped.
“Y-ye’re giving us yer boat?” Lobby asked, and Elinor nodded.
Tommy looked at his old friend. “We have a boat!”
“And a chef,” Nevis added in a wry tone.
Tommy and Lobby laughed.
“He can stay if he wants,” Lobby said.
After saying their good-byes, Nevis had headed back to the castle with Elinor, Bettina, and the children. Those who were accustomed to living in the village were surprised when Nevis told them they would be staying in the castle for a few days.
Now all the Embraced children were together again, no matter what their gift was. They had all been thrilled when Mikayla had returned safe and sound.
“’Tis good to see them playing together,” Elinor said as she stepped closer to Nevis on the balcony. She curled a hand around his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. “’Tis a shame everyone is happy but my brother and Maeve.”
Nevis nodded. Brody was moping in his room, and Maeve was still locked in her mother’s workroom. She’d even refused to let Sorcha in.
“Then you must be happy?” Nevis turned his head so his jaw brushed against Elinor’s hair.
“Aye. I’m glad to be safe and sound. I’m happy the children are all right. And you, too, of course.” She squeezed his arm.
He cleared his throat. “Would you consider going to Eberon? You could stay at Ebton Palace. I’m sure Luciana would love to have you visit.”
Elinor straightened and looked at him. “Why would I go there?”
“Well, I . . . I work in Eberon. That way, we could become better acquainted.”
“Do ye live at Ebton Palace?”
“No. I live with the army.”
She gave him a wry look. “Then why would I go to Ebton Palace?”
He winced. “I would see you often. We’ve known each other only a few days. Don’t you think we need more time together?”
She tilted her head, thinking. “No.”
His heart lurched up his throat. “No?”
“I think I should take the children home with me. They know me and feel safe with me. Ruth has already agreed to come. We can take care of them while we try to locate their parents. We have schools and libraries they can go to. And if we can’t find their parents in Eberon, we could find homes for them on the Isle of Moon. Why don’t ye come with me and help?”
“My life is in Eberon. My father wants to retire, so I’ll become the next general.”
She snorted. “The entire world is at peace now. What is there for an