The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,94
take the islands,” Kendric said. “But the mainland will be mine.”
Cahira scoffed. “The islands are already mine. I just need to kill that old woman on the throne and her daughter.”
Brody dug his fingers into his thighs to keep from throttling Cahira. The damned witch had admitted to killing his father and brother, and now she was threatening the rest of his family?
“Are . . . are you referring to Queen Esther?” Maeve asked.
“I wouldn’t call her a queen,” Cahira muttered as she sat back down. “The Isles of Moon and Mist were once part of Aerland, so naturally they belong to me.” She took a sip from her goblet, then set it down with a thud. “All of Aerthlan will be mine.”
“No, it won’t,” Kendric argued. “King Frederic was my father, so Eberon will be mine. And once I marry Brigitta, Tourin will also be mine.”
Cahira watched him with narrowed eyes. “Do you really think you can defy me? I could curse you like I did Gavin, and leave you as a cat for the rest of your life. Or perhaps a mouse.”
Kendric leaned over the table to glare at Cahira. “Try it, Sea Witch. You’ll be dead before the words leave your mouth.”
Cahira waved her hand, and the Chameleon’s glass goblet exploded, splashing wine all over his white linen shirt. “Remember this, Kendric. No one at this table is more powerful than I.”
With a smirk, Kendric sat down. “Then try taking over the mainland without me. You need me, Sea Witch.”
Cahira sighed. “Very well. Help me and I’ll make sure you get Eberon. And Brigitta.” She waved at the servants. “Clean up this mess and bring him more wine.”
Maeve dabbed at her mouth with her napkin, then set it beside her plate. “I’m wondering, Mother, if you have ever cursed anyone besides Gavin?”
Brody slanted Maeve a quick look. Did she suspect that her mother was the one who had cursed him?
Cahira scowled at Maeve. “Are you planning to defy me, too?”
Dammit, Maeve was getting herself in trouble. Brody leaned over and feigned a fit of coughing.
“Burien!” Cahira turned toward him. “Are you all right?”
He shook his head and wheezed, “I—I need to go back to my room and lie down.”
Maeve jumped to her feet. “I’ll take him.”
“Very well. I’ll have a tray sent to his room.” Cahira motioned to the servants. “You can serve dessert now. I feel like having something sweet.”
As Brody hobbled toward the door, he glanced back at the Sea Witch. The woman had to be insane. Cruel and insane. The Chameleon wasn’t much better. The two of them ruling the world would be a disaster. But the fact that they were snarling at each other was a good sign. Getting them to turn on each other would be the best strategy.
He would have to tell Nevis about this dinner party from hell. But first, it was time to tell Maeve the truth about himself. Unfortunately, that also meant she would learn the truth about her mother.
As they passed through the golden doors into the hallway, he slanted a quick look at Maeve. She was frowning again as she had earlier. How much had she already figured out?
Would she still be able to accept him once she knew the truth?
Chapter 19
Maeve was about to scream with frustration. It was taking forever to get back to the Seer’s bedchamber. But as long as there was a guard accompanying them, Brody had to keep up his pretense and move at a snail’s pace.
There was so much she needed to know, so much that he was still keeping secret. Finally, they arrived, and the guard stationed himself once again in front of her bedchamber. As she entered the Seer’s room, she looked around to make sure no servants were about. They had obviously been here earlier, for the bed was turned down, a fire had been started in the hearth, and several candles had been lit.
But the room was empty now. She shut the door and locked it.
Brody raised his arms and stretched. “Oh, I get so tired of being hunched over.”
Maeve winced at the sound of his voice. This was too strange. He sounded just like Brody, but he still looked like the Seer.
“Wait a minute.” She dashed to the dressing room and peered inside. No servants there. Then she looked in her room to make sure it was empty, too. On her way back, she locked the adjoining door.