and Riona to hear it. The voice said, “Who calls on our queen?”
Anya stood perfectly still as she answered, “I am Aine, water warden of the Tuatha Dé Danann. With me are Ruadhan, Fionnbharr, Mallaidh, Muireadhach, Osgar, and Toirdhealbhach. We wish to speak with Queen Deardra concerning a matter of some urgency.”
The bubble hovered for a moment longer, then disappeared once more beneath the waves. At once, a dozen Merrow rose to the surface. They were beautiful, with skin as white as pearls and long, flowing hair spreading out in the water around them. Though the color of their hair varied widely, they all had strands of red woven throughout their tresses. The Merrow in the center swam forward and walked onto the shore, her tail separating into two long legs. She stood before the Tuatha Dé Danann, clothed in nothing but her long hair and a delicate circle of pearls and gold that rested on her head. She addressed Anya formally.
“Well met, Aine, water warden,” she said, “and your companions also. It is not often that I am inundated with so many visitors from the Tuatha Dé Danann.”
Cedar held her breath, straining to hear the Merrow’s words.
“Others have come before us?” Anya asked.
Deardra tilted her head in what may have been a nod. “Are the Tuatha Dé Danann so disorganized? A small party arrived yesterday on your behalf. I have already given them what you seek.”
Rohan stepped forward and addressed Deardra. “Did this party consist of a woman and a child?”
“Of course. And a delightful thing the young one is,” Deardra answered with a small smile. “They are still here now, if you wish them to join your group for your journey home.”
When Cedar heard this, a cry escaped her lips and she started to scramble to her feet. Riona yanked her back down fiercely and hissed at her to wait.
On the beach, Anya’s voice shook as she spoke. “I am afraid you have been deceived, Queen Deardra. They are not a part of our group, nor are they ambassadors or messengers from the Tuatha Dé Danann. The woman is a traitor, and she has stolen that child. The child’s father is here.” She waved a hand, and Finn stepped forward. “We have been searching for them. Fionnghuala wishes to use the child to reignite the war in our world, and to bring it to these shores.”
Deardra looked at Anya carefully. Cedar wished she could see the expression on her face more clearly.
At last, the queen spoke, and there was an icy edge to her voice. “This is why I choose not to involve myself and my people in the affairs of the Tuatha Dé Danann,” she said. “You are like beasts or humans, always fighting among yourselves, never speaking with the same voice. I do not even know who among you is your leader. Is it you?” she spat at Anya. “Or is it the child?”
She smiled as the others exchanged glances. “Just because I don’t care about your affairs doesn’t mean I don’t know about your affairs. I should think you would want the girl to return to your world, given the prophecy you all cling to so desperately.”
“And what do you know of our prophecies?” Rohan asked, taking a step forward and lowering his voice.
“I know the words the poet Cairpre mac Edaine spoke as he abandoned your land with the rest of your Elders,” said Deardra. “‘The dyad that should not be will rise from the ashes and purge the land of the coming poison,’ blah, blah, blah. You certainly are the ashes, I’ll give him that. And I did hear you’d managed a human-Danann hybrid. I’m assuming that is the child whom my maids are entertaining. I should have known. She doesn’t come across as one of the Tuatha Dé Danann. As I said, I found her quite charming. Perhaps it is an improvement on your race to breed with humans.”
From her view above, Cedar could see Finn shifting his weight from side to side, and his hands twitching. “What prophecy?” she whispered to Riona. “What are they talking about?” Riona merely put a finger to her lips and continued looking intently below.
Suddenly, Finn moved so that he was directly in front of the Merrow queen. “My daughter is being held captive against her will and mine, and she is in your domain. Give her up at once, or you will be an accomplice to this act of villainy.”
“I do not take sides in