a few more seals emerged from the cave.
“I think they’re from the Isle of Moon,” Elinor said as she leaned over the railing to get a closer look at them.
“How can you be sure?” Nevis asked.
“I’ve been sailing around the isle for years. These seals recognize me.” She waved at the seals, who barked back.
“They sure are loud,” Nevis muttered. “If Maeve was here, she’d be able to talk to—wait, these must be the seals she was traveling with.”
Elinor craned her neck, looking around. “I don’t see her. Or Brody.”
“They’re probably hiding inside the cave.” Lobby took off his hat, squeezing it tight in his fists. “That’s where I would be. Hoping that the Sea Witch didn’t find me.”
“I’ll take the rowboat ashore and look,” Nevis announced.
“I’ll go with you.” Elinor turned to Lobby. “Did ye want to stay here?”
The old man twisted his hat in his hands. “I-I think I should go with you. Ye’re our princess, so ’tis me duty to protect you. And I need to help that poor lass Maeve.”
Elinor touched his sleeve. “Thank you, Lobby. Yer bravery is commendable.”
Lobby blushed.
“Then I’ll drag the cook up here to stand guard,” Nevis muttered as he headed down the stairs to the galley.
Soon they had the bleary-eyed cook sitting on deck, while the others clambered into the small skiff that was tethered at the back of the boat. Nevis and Lobby rowed while Elinor held a lit lantern and her canvas bag full of paper. When they hit land, everyone jumped out and Nevis dragged the rowboat onto the pebbly beach.
He took the lantern from Elinor. “Wait here while I investigate the cave.”
She hitched her bag over her shoulder. “I’ll go inside with you.”
Nevis frowned at her. “No, you won’t.”
She frowned back. “Are ye giving me orders now? Have ye forgotten I’m the captain?”
“Have you forgotten I’m a colonel? We’re on land now, so I outrank you.”
She scoffed. “Have ye forgotten I’m a princess? I still outrank you.”
He winced inwardly. Dammit, did she have to remind him how far out of reach she was? He gritted his teeth. “Then, as the princess, you shouldn’t do anything dangerous. We don’t know what could be inside the cave. There might be some sort of hideous creature.”
Her mouth twitched. “Then I’ll draw an even more hideous creature so it can protect us.”
With a snort, he grabbed the handle of his sword. “There’s no need for that. I’m fully capable of protecting us.”
“Good. Then ye won’t mind if I tag along.” She smiled up at him, and his heart skipped a beat.
Damn, but this woman knew just how to get her way with him. He cleared his throat. “Very well, then. Stay behind me, so you’ll be safe.” He held up the lantern and ventured inside the cave. There was a narrow pathway along a black, glistening wall, but most of the cave was filled with water. He eyed the water with suspicion. Something could be lurking in there.
“Maeve?” His voice echoed around them. “Maeve, are you here?”
There was a fluttering sound, then a giant whoosh as a black cloud swept toward them.
Bats! Nevis turned and pulled Elinor against his chest with his head bent over hers. He winced at the stirring of air against his neck and scalp.
Soon the swarm of bats had passed them by.
“Are you all right?” Nevis asked, and Elinor’s head nodded against his chest. “I hate bats.”
She nodded again. “Me, too.”
With a start, he realized he was hugging her. He released her and jumped back. “My apologies, Your Highness.”
“There’s no need to apologize. Ye were protecting me. Thank you.”
He held up the lantern, hoping to see the expression on her face, but she had turned back toward the entrance. “I don’t think Maeve or Brody were here.”
“No.” He followed her out. “But the seals are here, so she should be somewhere close by.”
“Did ye find the lass?” Lobby asked as they approached him on the pebbly beach.
“No.” Nevis blew out the lantern’s flame and set it on the ground. “You two wait here. I’ll go search for her.”
“I’ll come with you,” Elinor said once again.
“No, you won’t,” Nevis growled. “Do you know how dangerous it could be? The Embraced army might be here.”
“And the Sea Witch, too,” Lobby muttered, wringing his hat in his hands.
Elinor gave both men an annoyed look. “I didn’t come all this way to wait behind.” She started down the beach, headed west.
Dammit, the woman was too fearless. Nevis caught up with her.
“That’s