The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea

by Kerrelyn Sparks

  “I know, Papa. But I’ll feel better having you here.”

  Leo stepped close to his father-in-law. “I wanted you here, too. If the worst happens and we’re defeated, the Embraced army will head straight to the mainland to conquer the countries here while their kings are gone. You will have to lead our army to defend Eberon.”

  Luciana gasped. “You just said you would be fine!”

  “We will be,” Leo insisted. “We just have to be prepared in case . . .” He stopped when he saw tears forming in her eyes.

  “Shouldn’t General Harden be in charge of the army?” Lucas asked.

  “He’s coming with us,” Leo said.

  With a frown, Lucas nodded. “I will do as you ask. But if the worst happens and the women and children are in danger—”

  “I’ve made arrangements,” Silas told them. “A few war dragons will take them to a hidden place in the Norveshki mountains. They will be safe there.”

  Lucas took a deep breath. “I will pray that it never comes to that.”

  “We all will,” Leo agreed.

  “A ship is approaching!” Dimitri called from the open doorway.

  They all filed out the door onto the stair landing.

  “The flag looks like two white circles on a bright blue background,” Dimitri said.

  Luciana lifted a hand to shield her eyes from the bright sun. “That’s the flag of the Isle of Moon.”

  It must be an envoy from Queen Esther, Leo thought as he and the others headed down the stairs. By the time they crossed the front lawn, his servants had helped the small ship tie off next to the Eberoni royal barge.

  “Welcome to Eberon!” Leo shouted as he stepped onto the pier.

  “I’m Captain Chapman of the Isle of Moon,” a tall man with a flamboyant hat called from the ship’s deck while his crew set a gangplank in place. “I have urgent news for King Leofric of Eberon.”

  “I am the king.” As Leo approached, he quickly identified his companions.

  Captain Chapman strode across the gangplank, whipped his hat off, and bowed. “Yer Majesties. Queen Esther has bid me deliver these messages.” He handed Leo a leather parcel.

  While Leo quickly untied the leather thongs around the parcel, Silas stepped closer to the captain.

  “What can you tell us?” Silas asked. “Is the Embraced army on the Isle of Secrets?”

  “Is Maeve all right?” Luciana asked.

  “The army is, indeed, there,” Captain Chapman confirmed, and everyone exchanged looks.

  “We will be leaving right away, then,” Leo said as he opened the leather parcel and removed some folded papers.

  “I saw yer navy when we passed by Ebport,” the captain said. “They stopped us, and General Harden questioned me. He asked me to assure you that they would be ready by the time ye arrive.”

  “Has the Tourinian navy arrived?” Brigitta asked.

  The captain shook his head. “There were five ships there, all flying the Eberoni flag. If ye don’t mind, I’ll take my ship back with you. Our Queen is readying her navy—”

  “You’re joining us in battle?” Leo asked.

  “Aye. We have five ships, including mine.” Captain Chapman bowed his head. “We thank you for assisting us.”

  Leo nodded. “We’ll head to the Isle of Moon first so your ships can join ours.”

  “Queen Esther will be delighted to meet you,” the captain said with another bow.

  “After we arrive at the Isle of Moon, I’ll shift and fly south to locate the elfin navy,” Silas offered.

  The captain blinked. “Ye’ll . . .fly?”

  “He’s a dragon,” Dimitri explained. “So am I.”

  The captain stepped back, his eyes widening.

  Meanwhile, Leo had unfolded the papers, and he began reading the first page. To his surprise, it was a letter from Brody.

  Leo,

  You and the other kings must prepare immediately for war. We have discovered the last members of the Circle of Five and their Embraced army on the Isle of Secrets, located southwest of the Isle of Moon.

  Attack them while they are still on the island. Beware of their leader, Cahira, a powerful sea witch, who can destroy ships. The leader of the Embraced army is the Chameleon. One of their soldiers has lightning power like you, and another has wind power like Rupert.

  Queen Esther of the Isle of Moon is preparing her naval forces to join yours. I will be on the Isle of Secrets with Maeve and Nevis, where we will coordinate our attacks with yours.

  Brody

  “A letter from Brody.” Leo passed the first page to Silas, who held it up so Brigitta and Gwennore could also read it. Then Leo started reading the second page, which was a list of Embraced children living in a village on the Isle of Secrets.

  “But what about Maeve?” Luciana asked. “Is she all right?”

  Captain Chapman nodded. “Yes. According to the prince, she’s fine.”

  Luciana blinked. “Prince? What prince?”

  “Queen Esther’s son,” the captain explained. “And heir to the throne.”

  Leo paused in his reading. “I thought her daughter was heir to the throne.”

  “So did I.” Luciana frowned. “I know the queen had two sons, but they both drowned at sea with their father. I remember the whole island being upset . . .”

  “One of the sons survived,” Captain Chapman admitted. “But Prince Brodgar rarely comes to the island. He suffers—”

  “Prince Brodgar?” Luciana asked.

  “Aye.” The captain nodded. “He suffers from a curse that keeps him from taking his human form—”

  “Brody?” All three queens screeched so loudly, the captain jumped back a step and nearly fell off the pier.

  Leo exchanged a shocked look with his wife, then turned to the captain. “Brody is your prince?”

  “Aye.” The captain stepped away from the dock’s edge and adjusted his hat, which had listed to the side. “Only friends and family call him Brody. Ye must know him?”

  Luciana nodded, her eyes still wide with shock. “Aye, we do. Quite well.”

  “Not well enough,” Leo muttered. “I can’t believe that rascally dog is a prince.”

  Gwen huffed. “I can’t believe he never told us.”

  “I always knew he had some secrets,” Brigitta added. “But I never guessed he could be a prince.”

  Luciana gasped. “And Maeve is smitten with him!”

  Brigitta grinned, clapping her hands together. “This is better than one of my stories! Maeve found herself a secret prince!”

  “But the two of them are in danger,” Gwennore reminded them quietly.

  “Yes.” Luciana winced. “We’ll have to hope their story doesn’t turn into a tragedy.”

  Brigitta tilted her head, her eyes narrowed. “I wonder if he’s told her yet.”

  Silas held up a hand. “I just got a message from Aleksi. The elfin navy has set sail. I told him they need to head toward the Isle of Secrets.”

  “Good.” Leo turned his attention back to the papers he was holding. The third page listed the Embraced army and their powers. Only eight soldiers, including the Chameleon, whose real name appeared to be Kendric. Odd that he possessed a royal Eberoni name. Some of the soldiers were very young. Leo felt a twinge of guilt at the thought of fighting children.

  He passed the third page on to Silas, then read the fourth and final page. Another note from Brody. Or Prince Brodgar, he corrected himself with a snort.

  Leo,

  You should know the truth about the Chameleon. He’s Kendric, an illegitimate son of your uncle, King Frederic. He was born Embraced, but Frederic was reluctant to have his own son killed. He passed the babe on to Lord Morris, who made arrangements for Kendric to be raised by Cahira on the Isle of Secrets. In his attempt to take over Eberon, Kendric killed his own father and half-brother, Tedric.

  Leo stiffened with shock. His grip on the letter slipped, and the paper fell to the ground.

  “Wh
at’s wrong?” Luciana grabbed the paper.

  He motioned to the paper, and everyone gathered around Luciana to read it over her shoulders. Her gasp was echoed by the others.

  Leo took a deep breath and flexed his gloved hands. The Chameleon was his cousin. And if Brody didn’t kill him, Leo would.

  Chapter 18

  Impersonating the Seer, Brody hobbled down the hallway alongside Maeve. In one hand, he gripped the Seer’s staff. His other arm was looped around Maeve’s shoulders as he pretended to need her assistance. He slowed his steps to a mere crawl to allow more distance between them and the guard who was leading them to the Great Hall.

  After sleeping most of the day, he’d been awakened at sunset by Maeve, who had given him some bad news. They were both required to attend a dinner party this evening, a party to celebrate the return of Kendric. As if that murderous bastard deserved a celebration.

  Maeve had helped him dress in the fancy new clothes that Cahira had given the Seer. Now they were headed down the hallway with glass doors that opened onto the long balcony. He recognized it as the balcony where he had first spotted Cahira and Maeve when he’d arrived at the castle.

  A cool breeze swept through the open doorways, fluttering the purple silk curtains. He peered at the sky, noting the darkening of twilight. Tonight, after everyone 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 with narrowed eyes. “He’s a shifter?”

  “Yes, yes.” Cahira waved a dismissive hand. “But don’t worry about him. He won’t cause any—”

  “Trouble,” Brody finished her sentence. “That is what I named him.”

  Cahira laughed. “And a very suitable name, I must say.”

  Brody suppressed a spurt of anger. How could this witch find it amusing that she’d forced a boy to live two years as a cat? “I always thought he was a real cat.”

  Kendric snorted. “You don’t see very well for a Seer.”

  Brody gritted his teeth. “I merely assumed that my dear Cahira had actually given me a pet.” He glanced at her. “It never occurred to me that you were torturing a young man.”

  Cahira gasped. “Burien, how can you say that? I never harmed Gavin. He was happy with you. Weren’t you happy with him?”

  Maeve gave Brody’s shirt a slight tug in the back, a reminder that he needed to play nice, so he nodded.

  “I was very happy,” he grumbled. “Thank you, my dear.”

  Cahira grinned, clasping her hands together. “Good. Then that’s all settled. And you’ll never feel lonely again, now that you’re here with me.”

  Brody forced a smile. “Quite so.”

  Cahira glanced at the servants. “Can one of you please get that cat out of here, so we can start our dinner?”

  Gavin dashed across the room, and one of the older Embraced soldiers lifted a hand in his direction.

  “No!” Maeve cried out as a zap of lightning shot across the room toward the cat.

  With a screech, Gavin jumped behind a green marble pillar.

  Cahira huffed. “Alfred! Are you trying to destroy my throne room?”

  So that was Alfred, who had the power of lightning. Brody studied him and the other soldiers. They were hardly more than children, eager to use their powers, but not mature enough to know when they shouldn’t.

  Alfred shrugged. “I was just trying to scare him into leaving.”

  One of the female soldiers frowned at him.
“We grew up with Gavin. You shouldn’t be so mean to him.”

  Alfred snorted. “Can I help it if he’s a pest?”

  “I’ll take care of him,” Maeve offered and darted toward the pillar. “Gavin, come with me.”

  The cat leaped into Maeve’s arms, and she carried him back to the golden doors.

  Ruth met her there. “I’ll take him back to Gabby.”

  “Thank you.” Maeve transferred the cat to Ruth’s arms, then gave Gavin a pat on the head.

  “Enough of that.” Cahira motioned to Maeve. “I want you and Burien to meet our soldiers. Alfred is the oldest—”

  “And the most reckless.” Kendric slapped Alfred on the back. “How many times have I told you to save your energy for what’s truly important?”

  Alfred nodded with a sheepish look. “My apologies, General. It won’t happen again.” He extended a hand toward Brody. “It is an honor to meet you, Great Seer.”

  Brody eyed the young man’s hand. If anyone other than Luciana touched Leo, they were fried to death. But the Chameleon had touched Alfred’s shirt without hesitation.

  “Don’t let his power frighten you.” Cahira grasped Alfred’s hand. “See? It doesn’t hurt.”

  Brody shook Alfred’s hand and didn’t feel any heat at all.

  “Hello, Alfred,” Maeve muttered in a wry tone. “We meet again.”

  Alfred winced, then bowed low. “Your Highness.”

  She poked at his arm with a finger. “How is it possible to touch him without dying?”

  “I cast a spell on him,” Cahira explained. “So he’s perfectly safe when he wants to be.”

  “That’s . . . amazing.” Maeve exchanged a look with Brody. No doubt she was hoping Leo could be helped in the same way.

  “Well, yes, I am amazing.” Cahira motioned to the next soldier. “This is Darroc. He can control the wind.”

  Hopefully not as well as Rupert, Brody thought as he shook Darroc’s hand.

  Darroc bowed to Maeve. “Your Highness.”

  “I’m Farah,” said the young woman who had fussed earlier at Alfred. “My power is fire.” She snapped her fingers and a flame appeared at her fingertips.