siren voice was so beautiful, so alluring, it made his heart ache. It was the same song she had sung the first day he had met her.
“My true love lies in the ocean blue. My true love sleeps in the sea. Whenever the moons shine over you, please remember me. My lonesome heart is torn in two. My grief runs deep as the sea.
Whenever the waves roll over you, please remember me. Please remember me.”
Ah, Maeve. How could he ever forget her?
* * *
How could she ever forget that kiss? Maeve lay back on the blanket, looking up at the stars while she let the memory sweep over her once again. Brody had actually kissed her! And with so much passion. Heat flooded her face and she pressed her hands against her cheeks.
It had been glorious. That was, until he apologized. Dammit!
She sat up. Did he really regret it? Just the thought made her angry. And why had he purposefully been so rude? She hadn’t expected that. He may have ignored her in the past, but he’d never been rude. She’d been so sure that he would go with her to the Isle of Secrets that she’d even left a note in her room to inform the sisters of her upcoming trip.
But the meeting had not gone at all as she had hoped it would. After Brody had left, she’d wandered onto the beach. Missing him already, she’d sung the Song of Mourning while she’d put on her gown. The basket of food and men’s clothing sat there unused. He’d refused to eat with her.
But he’d kissed her!
He’d refused to travel with her.
But he’d kissed her!
He’d refused to share his plan with her.
But he’d kissed her! With a groan, she’d plopped down onto the blanket and reached for the basket.
Now, an hour later, she’d finished most of the food and half a bottle of wine, but she was still confused. Brody had kissed her with passion as if he truly cared for her. He’d begged her to stay safe as if he truly worried about her.
But he’d been rude to her, too. Rude and overbearing just like the Seer.
She shook her head. That meeting with the Seer still had her perplexed. He’d moved like an old man who could barely walk, but then, when he’d thought he was out of sight, he’d hurried toward his cottage with the stride of a healthy young man.
Then there was the fresh grave, just like the one she’d seen in her dream. Whom had Brody buried? As far as she knew, there was only one inhabitant on the Isle of Mist.
Her breath caught, and a chill crept down her spine. If the Seer was dead, then who . . . ?
No, not possible. Brody wasn’t capable of taking on a human shape.
Or was he? There had been a moment when the Seer’s eyes had reminded her of Brody’s. And then something Brody had said: “When you sing, men will cross oceans to hear the sound of your voice. When you laugh, they will lose their hearts to you.” Hadn’t the Seer said the same thing?
She jammed the cork back into the bottle of wine. She’d drunk too much. Her mind was cooking up some strange ideas.
With a sigh, she stashed the bottle back in the basket. In a few nights, she would have to camp out at this beach all night to see if Brody returned with information. Dammit, she’d wanted to do more than just pass on information to Nevis.
How did Brody know that Nevis was here? The Seer must have told him. Or if he was the Seer . . .
“Aargh.” She lowered her head and pressed her palms against her temples. This was too frustrating. How could she wait here doing nothing? Knowing nothing?
But Brody was counting on her being here when he returned in a few days.
A few days . . .
She sat up, her mind suddenly clear. In a few days, she could find the Isle of Secrets herself and come back here.
Her heart raced as she rose to her feet. Did she dare do it?
Brody’s last plea that she keep herself safe echoed in her mind. No matter how hard he’d tried to push her away with his harsh words, she didn’t want to believe him. If actions spoke louder than words, then his kiss had been the true portrayal of his feelings. He did care for her. That’s why he wanted her to be safe.
But as long