was abed, he needed to sneak off in eagle form for another meeting with Nevis.
He glanced at the guard, who was now far enough away that he could safely whisper to Maeve.
He leaned close to her ear. “Is something wrong?”
She shook her head.
There was definitely something wrong. She was frowning. And she’d hardly said a word all evening. “Did you enjoy last night?”
Her cheeks turned pink. “We shouldn’t talk about that right now.”
“You didn’t enjoy it?”
She gave him an exasperated look. “Of course I did. It was glorious.”
He smiled to himself. He’d loved it, too. Until he’d run out of time while still sporting a painful erection. After shifting into a dog, he’d wanted to howl with frustration. Ten minutes more, hell, only five minutes would have been enough. After watching his beautiful Maeve shatter in his arms, he’d been so close to a climax. “Were you upset that I wasn’t able to finish?”
“It’s not your fault . . .” With a wince, she looked away.
“We’ll do better tonight.” He noticed she was still frowning. “Are you worried I’ll attack the Chameleon? You shouldn’t be. I’ll behave myself.”
She nodded. “I know.”
“You must be worried about the wedding.”
She made a face. “I was measured for my wedding gown today.”
He squeezed her shoulder. “It won’t happen. I won’t let it.”
She bit her lip. “I-I have something I need to tell you. Later. When we’re alone.”
His heart stilled. Was she having second thoughts about being stuck with a lover who could be himself for only two hours a day? He should tell her that it was now possible for him to get the curse lifted. But then he would have to admit that it was her mother who had done this to him.
He swallowed hard. “We’ll talk tonight.” Don’t give up on me, Maeve.
The guard reached the golden doors to the Great Hall and waited for them, so they walked the rest of the way in awkward silence. Brody paused at the entrance, astounded by the size and beauty of the throne room.
“It is amazing, isn’t it?” Maeve whispered.
“Indeed,” he answered in the grumbly voice of the Seer. After quickly scanning the room, his gaze landed in the center, where a long table had been set up.
Servants bustled around it, setting down platters of food and filling glass goblets with wine. To the side stood a group of youths, both male and female. They were dressed in army uniforms and chatting with one another. The Embraced army, Brody thought. At the far end of the table, he spotted Cahira talking to a man who had his back to them.
The Chameleon? Brody’s hand tightened on his staff, and he breathed deeply through his nose. Yes, through all the smells of food on the table, he could still detect the scent of the Chameleon. The bastard was here, and apparently in his true form. But all Brody could see was shoulder-length, reddish-blond hair.
“Oh, Burien!” Cahira spotted him and smiled. “You made it.”
The Chameleon turned around, and Brody stiffened. Next to him, Maeve gasped.
The bastard looked very much like Leo. He had the same build, the same color hair, and very similar green eyes, although there was an odd glint of silver in the Chameleon’s. Of course he looks like Leo, Brody thought. He was Leo’s cousin. It would feel strange fighting someone who was almost identical to one of his best friends.
“Burien, you look so much better. What a relief!” Cahira sauntered toward them, followed by the Chameleon. “Come in, come in. I want you and Maeve to meet Kendric.”
Brody and Maeve moved slowly forward.
Kendric gave them an assessing look as he approached. “So this is the Seer and your daughter?”
“Yes.” Cahira latched onto Brody’s arm and pulled him away from Maeve. “Burien was the one who came up with the brilliant idea of the Circle of Five.”
“Now, now, my dear.” Brody gave the evil witch a strained smile. “You did all the work.”
Cahira beamed up at him. “It’s sweet of you to say so.”
Kendric’s nostrils flared, and his expression grew wary. “I smell another shifter.”
Brody tensed, his fingers digging into his staff. If the Chameleon figured out who he was, the final battle would begin now.
Cahira laughed. “Of course you do, Kendric. The castle is full of shifters. You, me, Maeve.” An orange blur shot into the room. “And that damned cat! Who let that cat in?”
Several servants chased after Gavin, but he weaved around the chairs of the dining table.
Kendric watched the cat