The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,65
door and opened it. “Here we are. The green room.”
The servants lowered the litter, and Brody eased shakily onto his feet.
As Cahira led him into the bedchamber, she told the servants, “Take the chair away, and tell the kitchen staff to bring plenty of food and wine here, along with a bowl of hot porridge.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” They bowed and carried the litter away.
Maeve slipped inside the room and rested his staff against the wall. Her gaze wandered about the bedchamber.
Brody gave the room a quick glance. The walls were a creamy yellow and covered with paintings of the garden. Against one wall sat a large four-poster bed with a dark green coverlet. There were matching curtains at the windows. One door close to the windows, then another door back in a recessed sitting area. He spotted a key in the door. “Is my daughter’s room through there?”
“Yes.” Cahira smirked. “If you grow tired of her, send her to her room and lock the door.”
Maeve rolled her eyes, but Cahira didn’t see it since she was busy turning down the covers on the bed.
“Come and rest now.” Cahira drew him toward the bed. “Later tonight, I’m planning a small party for you.”
Brody collapsed onto the bed. “Oh, but I’m far too exhausted. Would you mind if we have the party tomorrow? I really need to sleep now.”
Cahira sighed. “Very well.”
Brody yawned. “After the food arrives, I would like to be left undisturbed till morning.”
“Are you sure?” Cahira frowned. “You’re quite ill, Burien. I don’t mind checking on you.”
“I’ll be fine.” He reached a trembling hand for Maeve. “I’ll have my daughter here to nurse me.”
Maeve hurried toward him and took his hand. “I would be grateful for this time with my father, so I can get to know him.”
Still frowning, Cahira muttered, “Very well. I’ll see you in the morning, Burien.”
“Good night, my dear.” Brody waited for the witch to leave the room.
As soon as the door shut, Maeve dropped his hand and stepped back, scowling at him.
Was she angry? She couldn’t be as angry as he was.
He sat up, listening for the witch’s footsteps to fade away. Then he slipped out of bed and rushed toward the door.
“You’re moving much faster now,” Maeve muttered.
He held a finger to his lips to warn her to be quiet, then he cracked open the door to peer outside. No guard outside his door, but he spotted one down the hallway at the next door. Was Maeve a prisoner?
Quietly, he closed the door, then dashed over to the entrance to Maeve’s bedchamber. It was indeed locked. He retrieved the key and headed back to his door. Yes! The key worked. He could talk to Maeve now. And vent his anger.
He turned toward her and cleared the white film from his pupils so he could see her better.
Her eyes widened.
He stalked toward her. “What the hell are you doing here, Maeve?”
Her eyes flashed with anger. “What the hell are you doing, Bro—”
He stopped her with a finger on her lips. “You should avoid saying my name here in the castle.”
She shoved his hand away. “Fine. What are you doing here, Julia?”
* * *
“Get down.” Nevis pulled Elinor to her knees as he ducked behind a sand dune. “There’s a woman on the beach.”
“The Sea Witch?” Lobby whispered as he cowered behind them.
“I don’t know.” Nevis peered over the top of the sand dune. The woman was alone and appeared to be gathering seaweed into a basket. Beyond her, the sun was lowering toward the horizon, painting the sky pink and gold while causing the ocean to sparkle.
“She looks fairly young,” Elinor whispered.
Nevis hissed in a breath when he realized the princess was also peering over the dune. “I told you to get down.”
Elinor ignored him and glanced back at Lobby. “When was yer boat destroyed?”
“Six years ago.”
“Then I don’t think this could be the Sea Witch,” Elinor told Lobby. “She looks about my age.”
“Quiet,” Nevis warned them as he watched the lone woman. It was possible that she might have seen Maeve. A fluttering of wings sounded overhead, and he glanced up as a flock of seagulls flew over them. The birds began squawking as they landed on the beach next to the young woman.
She turned toward the birds, then suddenly her gaze lifted straight to the dune where Nevis and his companions were hiding.
“Damn.” Nevis ducked down, pulling Elinor with him.