The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,79
won’t take long before help arrives,” Brody told her. “Once the kings have gathered their forces onto ships, Rupert can blow them here in a few hours.”
“Our naval forces will be ready to join them.” Esther lifted her chin with determination. “Together with our allies, we will be sending an armada to the Isle of Secrets.”
Brody nodded. “And then the war will begin.”
Chapter 15
The twin moons were nearing the horizon by the time Brody spotted the village on the Isle of Secrets. He was exhausted from flying so much in one night, but before he could return to the Sea Witch’s castle, he needed to talk to Nevis. After landing next to what looked like a blacksmith’s shop, he shifted into a dog and went sniffing about. There were only two other cottages. He trotted over to the one filled with the scent of males, then scratched on the door and barked.
Voices murmured inside; then a young man cracked open the door.
He looked Brody over, and turned back to his companions to say, “It’s a black-and-white dog. I’ve never seen it before.”
“That has to be Brody,” Nevis said. “Elam, do you have a pair of breeches you can spare?”
After a short while, Nevis emerged from the cottage and gave Brody a frustrated look. “Now you show up? Where the hell have you been?” He tossed the breeches at him.
Brody shifted and caught the breeches in one hand. “What the hell are you doing here with my sister?”
“She’s fine.” Nevis pointed at the other cottage. “She’s sleeping with the other girls. You’d better hurry up and get dressed before any of them see you.” He crossed his arms, frowning. “You never mentioned that you’re a damned prince. Does Leo know about this?”
Brody shook his head as he buttoned the breeches, which only reached his calves.
“You should have told us,” Nevis grumbled. “All these years, I’ve been treating you like a dog.”
“I was a dog.” Brody shrugged. “Don’t let it bother you. Whenever I felt annoyed, I chewed up your boots.”
Nevis grimaced. “I’m on my fifth pair now.”
“Exactly.”
Nevis snorted. “Well, at least you’re all right. You had everyone worried. Where have you been for the last two months?”
“Searching for the Embraced army and the last members of the Circle of Five. That’s my job. It’s definitely not Elinor’s concern. I want you take her home as soon as Lobby and Tommy return with the boat.”
Nevis’s eyes widened. “You know about them?”
“Aye, I’ve just returned from the Isle of Moon. I was seeing my mother when they arrived. Thank you for all the information, by the way. My mother is sending it to Leo, and he should have it by morning.”
“That’s a relief.” Nevis took a deep breath. “We’re going to need everyone’s help.”
“Everyone but Elinor. Send her back home today.”
Nevis scoffed. “Do you think I haven’t tried? I begged her to go back with Lobby. She keeps refusing.”
“Make her go. Aren’t you used to giving orders?”
“She outranks me!” Nevis raked a hand through his hair. “The stubborn wench thinks she should be ordering me around.”
“Did you just call my sister a wench?”
Nevis winced. “No offense. Honestly, she’s really amazing.”
Brody narrowed his eyes. “Are you saying you admire her?”
Nevis gritted his teeth. “What are you doing here? Do you want to hide out here with me?”
“What are your plans?” Brody asked.
“I’m going to have Lobby and Tommy take the younger children to safety. As for the older ones with rejected powers, I’m going to turn them into my own Embraced army. With the right strategy, I think they could be quite effective. Do you want to help me?”
Brody shook his head. “I have my own plans, but I’ll coordinate them with yours. And with Leo’s, once he and the others arrive. If you can incapacitate the guards, that will leave the mainland kings to deal with the Embraced army.”
“I can do that. What will you be doing?”
“I’ll handle the queen.”
Nevis winced. “You . . . know she’s Maeve’s mother?”
Brody waved a dismissive hand. “Maeve has nothing to do with her.”
“Well, perhaps, but still . . .” Nevis shifted his weight. “Aren’t you attracted to Maeve?”
“I’m in love with her.”
“And you’re planning to kill her mother? You don’t see a problem with that?”
Yes, he did, but he didn’t want to think about it. “I have to capture Cahira first, so I can make her release me from this curse.”
“True.” Nevis nodded. “I tell you what—once I take care of the guards, I’ll be able