The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,6
the convent library.”
“Is it that urgent?” Luciana rose to her feet. “I was thinking of hosting a ball for you. And having my seamstresses make you a beautiful new gown. A sea-green color that would match your lovely eyes.”
“Chee-ana.” Maeve used her nickname for her eldest sister. “I don’t need a ball. Or a new gown. And I’m not angry.” She was determined. If the Embraced army was hiding somewhere in the Great Western Ocean, then there was no one better suited than she to track it down. She could finally put her Embraced gift of seal shifting to a good purpose.
And with any luck, she might find Brody, too.
Chapter 2
“Be careful with that,” Maeve warned the sailors as they carried a large wooden crate toward the naval ship. “There are wine bottles inside.”
“Aye, my lady.” The two men crossed the gangplank to the ship, then carefully set down the crate.
It was the next morning, and Maeve was eager to set sail for the Isle of Moon. The ship had arrived at dawn, the smallest of the Eberoni naval vessels. Small enough that it could navigate down the Ebe River to the palace, but sturdy enough to cross the Great Western Ocean. It was the same ship Maeve and three of her sisters had taken from the Isle of Moon four years ago when Brigitta had been kidnapped. Maeve was happy to see that Captain Shaw was still in charge.
After arriving at Ebton Palace the night before, she’d hurried to the library to locate the old book. Then, back in her room, she’d packed it and some clothes for the journey. A few simple gowns would suffice. No need for fancy clothes and headdresses at the convent.
At dinner in the Great Hall, she’d learned that Luciana had been equally busy arranging gifts for Maeve to take to their childhood home, the Convent of the Two Moons. There was a crate of wine from the duchy of Vindalyn, another container of fresh fruits from southern Eberon, and some soft woolen blankets fresh off the looms of the Ebton Palace workroom.
Now that the last of the crates were safely onboard, Maeve was ready to go.
Luciana hurried down the palace steps. “Wait!” She joined Maeve on the pier, pressing a hand to her chest as she caught her breath. “Oh, I was afraid you would leave before I could tell you good-bye.”
Maeve blinked away some tears. She was going to miss her eldest sister. In fact, she couldn’t remember ever being away from all four of her sisters before. “We talked for a long time last night.”
“I know.” Luciana gave her an exasperated look. “All my attempts to convince you to stay were in vain. Are you sure you need to do this?”
“Aye.”
Luciana’s eyes narrowed. “You’re up to something. I know it. Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I will.” Maeve wondered how much her sister had figured out. Luciana hailed from a long line of witches who could predict the future, although her talent usually came out only when they were playing the Game of Stones. “I’ll be sure to give Mother Ginessa and all the nuns a hug from you. They’ll love the presents you’re sending.”
Luciana sighed. “I wish I could go with you, but . . .” She placed a hand on her swollen belly. “Leo and I agree that it’s not safe for you to go alone—”
“I’ll be safe with the nuns,” Maeve insisted, knowing very well that her investigation would probably lead her away from the security of the convent. But she didn’t want Luciana or anyone else to know that. They would try to stop her for sure. “I’ll be fine.”
“You’ll be a target,” Luciana said sternly. “There are still a few pirates out there. And a few members of the Circle of Five. There are any number of people who might try to hold you hostage in order to control the kings and queens who love you as a sister.”
Maeve stifled a groan. Was she only important because of the royals she knew?
“So Leo and I have asked Nevis to go with you.” Luciana glanced over her shoulder. “Ah, he’s coming now.”
Nevis? Maeve grimaced as she watched the large, muscular colonel descending the stairs from the palace. He was not going to let her do what she wanted. “Chee-ana, I don’t want a bodyguard.”
“Too bad.” Luciana gave her a wry look. “If you want to use my ship, you’ll accept my terms.”