the hatred was mutual. Had the Chameleon sensed that Brody had the same powers he had? That would explain why the evil shifter hated Brody so much.
She couldn’t risk a fight between the two of them. There had to be another solution . . .
While she was thinking, Brody opened a window to peer outside. “The sun is setting. I’ll leave as soon as it gets dark.” He glanced back at her and narrowed his eyes. “Is something bothering you? You’re pale. And you hardly touched your food.”
She crushed her napkin in her fists. “It’s nothing.”
He gave her a wry look as he walked toward her. “I guess I’m not the only one with secrets.”
“I-I’ll tell you later.”
“All right.” He picked up his goblet. “I’ll hold you to that. Make sure no one comes in while I’m gone.”
“I will.”
“Good.” He took a long drink.
She tossed her napkin on the table. “When you come back, I want to lose my virginity.”
He sputtered wine down his robe. “What?”
“I believe you heard me.”
“What?”
Surely the Chameleon would reject her if she told him that she’d already bedded his archenemy, Brody. Besides, Brody was the only man she could ever take as a mate. She rose to her feet. “It has to be you.”
He set his goblet down with a clunk. “Isn’t this a bit sudden?”
“You are capable, are you not?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Are you trying to insult me into bedding you?”
“If that’s what it takes.”
He scoffed. “Maeve—”
She stepped up to him and placed her hands on his chest. “You do want me, don’t you?”
He gulped. “What has come over you?”
“Lust. Pure unbridled lust.” She smoothed her hands up to his shoulders.
“Wait a minute.” He grabbed her wrists. “You . . . you must have experienced too much of a shock today. You should lie down and rest while I’m gone.”
“I’ll be sure to be well rested.” She pressed her body against his. “And I’ll be ready for you when you return.”
He frowned at her. “I’m going to be really tired.”
“Then I’ll do all the work.”
He gave her an incredulous look. “How would you know what to do?”
“I’ll figure it out.” She glanced down to where she could feel a growing bulge beneath his robe. “How hard can it be?”
“A lot harder.” He grabbed her by the shoulders to move her back a few inches. “I’m not sure what this is all about, but we’ll talk when I get back. Turn around while I shift.”
“Must I? I’d rather watch you undress.”
“Maeve.” He scowled at her.
“Fine.” She turned her back. Why was he acting so damned noble all of a sudden? “I know you want me. So when you come back, it will be you and me. You agree, don’t you?”
She turned toward him, but he was already in eagle form, his hooded robe and small clothes discarded on the floor. He swooped through the window and out into the darkening twilight.
* * *
“You’ll be safe after the sun has set,” Bettina told Nevis and his companions. “The soldiers come to the village during the day to harass us and make sure we’re working, but they never come at night.”
“Are you sure?” Nevis asked.
Bettina gave him with a wry look. “They’re not worried about any of us escaping. Where would we go?”
Nevis nodded. “We’ll stay for a while, then.” If he learned more information, he might figure out a plan to rescue Maeve. But at the same time, he needed to send a message to Leo. Somehow, he would manage to do both.
“We should remain hidden till the sun goes down,” Bettina told them, and they followed her over a big sand dune. After she set her basket down, they sat in the sandy valley to wait for sunset.
“What can you tell us about the island?” Nevis asked.
“What can you do for us here?” Bettina countered.
“What do ye need?” Elinor asked.
Bettina sighed. “It’s hard to explain. We were raised here, so this is the only home, the only life, we have ever known. But from what Maeve told me, I believe we were taken away from our families in Eberon.”
Nevis nodded. “That is true.”
“There are young children in the village and two toddlers in the castle nursery,” Bettina said sadly. “If they could be returned to their homes, I would greatly appreciate it.”
“We can certainly do that,” Nevis told her. “But we’ll need to defeat your queen and her cohorts first. For now, I need all the information I can get.”
“The Sea Witch is going