The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,59
the way to the Sea Witch’s castle,” Lobby whined as he stumbled along behind them. “Holy goddesses, we’re going to end up dead.”
When they reached the boulder-lined edge of the bay, Elinor slipped between two pedestal rocks, splashing through the shallow water in her boots. “Watch out for the crabs.” She pointed at the water.
Nevis winced as he stepped through. “I hate crabs.”
Elinor glanced back at him with a smile. “Why would ye hate them?”
“They look strange. And they try to pinch you.”
“They’re tasty.”
He made a face, and she laughed.
“Then what do ye eat?” she asked.
“Real food. Cows and pigs.”
She scoffed. “I take it ye never lived on an island. Or along a coast.”
“No.” He walked beside her while Lobby followed behind them, muttering about the Sea Witch. The beach was now white and sandy, the sky blue, and the sea a pretty turquoise color. “I’ve spent most of my life moving up and down the border of Woodwyn and Norveshka.”
She gave him a curious look. “Ye didn’t have a home?”
“I did. My tent.”
Her expression turned sad.
Damn, he didn’t want her feeling sorry for him. “I’ve had a good life with the army. Well, the battles are awful, but—”
“Have ye ever been wounded?”
He waved a dismissive hand. “A cut or scrape here and there. But nothing important. I’m a fully functional male—” He halted with a wince. Holy crap, had he just said that?
Obviously, he’d spent too much of his life surrounded by soldiers who said whatever they wanted to. He ventured a glance at the princess and discovered she was grinning. Great. He’d proven once again that he was an idiot. “Of course, there may be some doubt that my brain is fully functional.”
She laughed and touched his arm. “Thank you. Ye know exactly how to ease my worries.”
“I do?”
She nodded, then gave him a teasing look. “I’m quite positive yer brain is working as well as the rest of you. Though yer mouth tends to work more than it should.”
He winced. “True.”
“Ye’re blushing again.”
He smiled. “Am not.”
“Holy goddesses,” Lobby muttered behind them. “We’re going to die, and they’re flirting again.”
Nevis slanted a look at Elinor, just as she glanced at him. She grinned, and his heart flipped over in his chest. Holy Light, maybe he had a chance with the princess, after all.
* * *
How could she marry the Chameleon? Cahira had demanded an answer, but Maeve couldn’t wrench the word “yes” out of her throat. She didn’t want to refuse, either, and appear disloyal. So, she did the only thing she could think of: She begged for time.
“Please,” she pleaded with tears in her eyes. “I’m afraid to marry a stranger. Could you let me get to know him first? Could you give me two weeks?”
Cahira studied her with narrowed eyes. “Well, it will take some time to prepare for the wedding, so I will give you one week. No more.”
One week. Could she escape before then? Maeve sank into a curtsy. “Thank you, Mother.”
Cahira shrugged. “I’ll send my seamstress to you in the morning. You’ll need a wedding gown.”
“Thank you.” As Maeve straightened, she gathered her courage. “May I ask for another small favor?”
“Must you?” Cahira frowned at her, then huffed. “Very well, what is it?”
“Could you remove Gabby from the dunge—”
“Absolutely not!” Cahira stepped closer, her eyes flashing with anger. “How do you know about her? You are spying on me, aren’t you?”
“No!” Maeve stepped back, shaking her head. “I just happened to see her in the dungeon because Alfred and Darroc brought me into the castle that way. Believe me, I never would have asked to see the dungeon. It was an accident that I even saw Gabby.”
“Hmm.” Cahira crossed her arms, eyeing Maeve with suspicion. “I’ll have to question them about this.”
“Please do. I would never want to anger you, Mother.”
She scoffed. “And yet you ask me to move Gabby, when I need the gold that she makes.”
“It occurred to me that if you treat her nicely, she might be more willing to work,” Maeve argued. “In fact, she could probably increase her production if she had a more comfortable room and more nutritious food.”
Cahira arched a brow. “You think so?”
“And if she knew her brother was all right, she would probably work with a grateful heart.”
Cahira waved a dismissive hand. “Of course the boy is all right. What do you take me for?”
Maeve carefully schooled her features not to show what she really thought. “It’s a sign of true nobility to be