The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea

by Kerrelyn Sparks

  Leo’s heart squeezed in his chest. This sixteen-year-old girl would have to live with a terrible burden for the rest of her life. In reality, she was another victim of the Chameleon’s bid for power. “Were you ordered to do it?”

  She nodded, still sobbing. Next to her, Farah started to cry silently.

  “Was there ever a time when you didn’t follow orders?” Leo asked.

  Farah nodded. “If we disobeyed Kendric or Alfred, we had to stand outside in the rain all night. On the posts along the pier.”

  Leo winced. If they fell off, they would land in the water.

  Irene sniffled. “And we were locked in the dungeon for three days with no food.”

  Leo exchanged a look with General Harden. If the Chameleon or Alfred came back to life, he’d kill them all over again.

  He squatted on the floor in front of the girls. “You’ve been through some horrific ordeals. I know you will be struggling with some guilt, but I’m telling you now that we do not blame you. We will never blame you. We consider you victims, just as much as the children who lived in the village. Do you understand?”

  The girls nodded.

  “All right, then.” General Harden clapped his hands together. “Let’s get to work.”

  “Aye, General.” The girls rushed off. Irene began sweeping up glass by the windows, while Farah took her baskets to the broken glass on the dais.

  Leo hefted himself to his feet. “General, could you have some servants take bread and water to the seamen outside?”

  “Aye, will do.” He motioned to his men to take care of it, and they rushed off.

  Leo lowered his voice. “How is Brody doing?”

  General Harden sighed. “Nevis says he’s in pain and distraught.”

  “And Maeve?” Leo asked.

  “Yes,” Sorcha said as she strode into the room. “How is Maeve?”

  General Harden shrugged. “The last I heard she was unconscious in her room.”

  “Unconscious?” Sorcha asked, her eyes widening with concern.

  “I believe the shock may have been too much for her,” Leo murmured.

  Sorcha huffed. “That doesn’t sound like Maeve. She’s tougher than that.” She tilted her head to look at the two girls who were cleaning. “Who are they?”

  “Farah and Irene,” the general replied.

  Sorcha’s brows rose. “Farah’s the one with fire power?”

  Leo nodded. “She’s the one by the dais.”

  “Interesting.” Sorcha walked over to the dais, where Farah was rummaging through the broken glass and filling different baskets. “Ye’re sorting the glass by color? Why?”

  Farah looked up at her, then bowed her head. “I can melt these to make new ornaments.”

  Sorcha gasped. “Ye use yer fire power to make glass?”

  Farah nodded. “I made all the glass art here.” She blinked away tears. “The queen blew it up.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Sorcha kneeled down and picked up a piece of glass with different shades of green and gold running through it. “This is beautiful. I would have loved to have seen what it originally looked like.”

  Farah gave her a shy look. “I have a few finished pieces in my workroom.”

  “Wonderful!” Sorcha dropped the green glass into the correct basket. “I’d love to see them. And I want to see how ye do it.”

  “Like this.” Farah snapped her fingers and a flame appeared.

  Sorcha grinned. “I know how to do that much. It’s the glass part I don’t understand.”

  “You . . . you know how . . . ?”

  Sorcha nodded. “I do it the same way.” She snapped her fingers to make a flame.

  Farah gasped.

  Sorcha smiled at her. “I always thought I was alone, but here ye are.”

  “Who . . . may I ask who you are?”

  “Sorcha, princess of Norveshka and queen of Woodwyn.”

  Farah’s mouth fell open.

  “I’m an artist, too,” Sorcha added. “But my talent lies with drawing and painting.”

  Farah continued to gape at her.

  “Ye wouldn’t believe the beautiful craftsmanship in Woodwyn. We have the most fabulous wood carvers and silversmiths. The elves would love to see yer glass art.”

  Farah swallowed hard. “That’s all I ever wanted to be. A glass artist.”

  Sorcha smiled at her. “Then that is what ye will be. I think we could become good friends, don’t you?”

  Farah nodded.

  Sorcha rose to her feet, then went to talk to the other girl.

  General Harden leaned close to Leo and whispered, “I have a feeling the Woodsman is going to acquire a new artist and gardener for Wyndelas Palace.”

  Leo nodded. A new beginning for the older Embraced children would probably be for the best.

  Just then, Nevis and Princess Elinor rushed through the door. When Nevis spotted Sorcha, he waved her over. “Thank the Light you’re here. Maybe Maeve will let you in.”

  “What?” Sorcha hurried over to them, and Nevis quickly introduced her to Brody’s sister.

  “I thought Maeve was in her bedchamber,” Leo said.

  Elinor shook her head. “She’s locked herself in her mother’s workroom. We’re terribly worried about her. She refuses to open the door or even talk to us.”

  Sorcha hissed in a breath. “This is bad. I’ll go see her right away.” She turned to Leo. “Send Rupert to Ebton Palace to bring our sisters here.”

  “None of his ships are seaworthy at the moment,” Leo said.

  “Then he can borrow one of our ships,” Sorcha insisted. “Brennan won’t mind.” She grabbed Elinor’s arm. “Now show me where this workroom is.”

  Chapter 27

  The next day, Nevis was standing on the balcony with Elinor, watching the scene before them. In the distance, Leo, Brennan, and the dragon shifters were repairing the ships with help from most of the seamen and soldiers. Down below in the garden, the children from the village and the Embraced army played while the older ones watched and talked.

  The evening before, Nevis, Elinor, and Bettina had trekked back to the sea cave to meet the boat. After delivering the children ashore, Lobby and Tommy had listened to all the news.

  “The Sea Witch is dead?” Lobby had asked. “’Tis safe now?”

  “Aye, ’tis safe,” Elinor reassured them. “There are now four ships from the Isle of Moon in the harbor. I’ll have no trouble finding a ride back home.”

  “We’ll take you back,” Tommy offered. “After all, this is yer boat.”

  Elinor smiled. “I’m thinking two brave men like you deserve a reward. The boat now officially belongs to you.”

  Lobby and Tommy gasped.

  “Y-ye’re giving us yer boat?” Lobby asked, and Elinor nodded.

  Tommy looked at his old friend. “We have a boat!”

  “And a chef,” Nevis added in a wry tone.

  Tommy and Lobby laughed.

  “He can stay if he wants,” Lobby said.

  After saying their good-byes, Nevis had headed back to the castle with Elinor, Bettina, and the children. Those who were accustomed to living in the village were surprised when Nevis told them they would be staying in the castle for a few days.

  Now all the Embraced children were together again, no matter what their gift was. They had all been thrilled when Mikayla had returned safe and sound.

  “’Tis good to see them playing together,” Elinor said as she stepped closer to Nevis on the balcony. She curled a hand around his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. “’Tis a shame everyone is happy but my brother and Maeve.”

  Nevis nodded. Brody was moping in his room, and Maeve was still locked in her mother’s workroom. She’d even refused to let Sorcha in.

  “Then you must be happy?” Nevis turned his head so his jaw brushed against Elinor’s hair.

  “Aye. I’m glad to be safe and sound. I’m happy the children are all right. And you, too, of course.” She squeezed his
arm.

  He cleared his throat. “Would you consider going to Eberon? You could stay at Ebton Palace. I’m sure Luciana would love to have you visit.”

  Elinor straightened and looked at him. “Why would I go there?”

  “Well, I . . . I work in Eberon. That way, we could become better acquainted.”

  “Do ye live at Ebton Palace?”

  “No. I live with the army.”

  She gave him a wry look. “Then why would I go to Ebton Palace?”

  He winced. “I would see you often. We’ve known each other only a few days. Don’t you think we need more time together?”

  She tilted her head, thinking. “No.”

  His heart lurched up his throat. “No?”

  “I think I should take the children home with me. They know me and feel safe with me. Ruth has already agreed to come. We can take care of them while we try to locate their parents. We have schools and libraries they can go to. And if we can’t find their parents in Eberon, we could find homes for them on the Isle of Moon. Why don’t ye come with me and help?”

  “My life is in Eberon. My father wants to retire, so I’ll become the next general.”

  She snorted. “The entire world is at peace now. What is there for an army general to do?”

  He stiffened. “There are always bandits. And pirates. I think I really should become a general.”

  She gave him a frustrated look. “Why?”

  “It might make me a worthier suitor.”

  “Worthier?” She scoffed. “Ye really should show more confidence than that.”

  “Ha! You know good and well that you outrank me.”

  “Does that really bother you?”

  “Yes! Elinor, I grew up in the army. Rank is extremely important.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Very well. Since I outrank you, I order you to stay with me.”

  He huffed. “Y-you think you can order me around?”

  “Yes.”

  “Ha!” He pounded a fist on the stone balustrade. “On a cold day in hell.”

  “And I order you to marry me.”

  He jumped back with a start. “You . . . what?”

  She shrugged. “Forget I said it. Ye’ve already told me that I can’t order you around.”

  “Would you marry me?”

  She blinked. “Are ye asking me?”

  “No, I’m begging you. I know I’m not worthy—”

  “Are ye saying ye’ll be an unworthy husband?”

  “What? No!”

  She lifted her chin. “Will ye be below average in the bedroom?”

  “Hell, no!”

  She lunged toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Prove it.”

  He snorted. “Are you asking me . . . ?”

  “No. I’m begging you.”

  He laughed. “In that case . . .” He pulled her close and planted his mouth on hers. By the Light, they hadn’t known each other very long, but he knew she was perfect. A treasure he would always cherish . . .

  “Ahem.”

  Nevis broke the kiss and glanced to the side. Brody was standing in the doorway, glowering at him. “Ah, hello, Brody. Nice weather we’re having.”

  Brody arched a brow. “It’s not the weather you appear to be enjoying.”

  Nevis gave him a wry look. “It’s good to see you out and about, instead of moping all alone in your room.”

  Brody snorted. “I see you’re well acquainted with my sister now. Even though I told you to stay away from her.”

  She smiled. “Actually, he was complaining that we’re not acquainted well enough.”

  “You dog,” Brody muttered.

  “Look who’s talking,” Nevis replied.

  Brody’s mouth twitched. “True. I’ve been thinking about it, and I’ve decided it really wasn’t all that bad being a dog. I mean, if I don’t have any choice in the matter, I might as well enjoy it.”

  “Now you’re talking.” Nevis gave him a thumbs-up.

  Brody snorted. “People used to think I was Nevis’s pet.”

  “Really?” Elinor gave Nevis an amused look.

  Nevis shrugged. “Brody needed a place to sleep and shift and change clothes, so I let him use my tent.”

  Brody nodded. “He was always grumbling at me for bringing in fleas.”

  Nevis grimaced. “I hate fleas.”

  Elinor grinned. “And bats, crabs, spiders, and roaches.”

  “So are you going back to Eberon?” Brody asked.

  Nevis glanced at Elinor. “I’m not sure. Are you going to the Isle of Moon to become king?”

  Brody sighed. “How can I be king when I have only two hours a day in my real form?”

  “Don’t worry,” Elinor assured him. “Nevis and I will help you. I’m sure Maeve will, too.”

  Brody winced. “She’ll be the queen here. I don’t think she wants to be with me anymore. She still hasn’t come out of her mother’s workroom.”

  “She just needs time to adjust,” Nevis insisted.

  “I’m sure she’ll be all right,” Elinor added. “Rupert should be arriving any minute now with her sisters. They’ll help her feel better.”

  “Help her feel better about the fact that I can never live as a human?” Brody muttered.

  “Brody.” Nevis clasped him on the shoulder. “You’re as human as any of us. Even more so, I would say. Your time is shorter, so you value it more.”

  Brody closed his eyes briefly. “Actually, Nevis, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather see with my sister.”

  He stepped back with a shocked look. “Then you’ll approve if we . . .” He reached a hand toward Elinor.

  With a grin, she grabbed onto his hand. “We want to get married.”

  Brody nodded, giving them a sad smile. “That’s good.” He limped down the hallway, mumbling, “At least someone will have a happy ending.”

  * * *

  When all four of her sisters knocked on the door and begged to be let in, Maeve unlocked it.

  Her sisters barged in.

  “Are ye all right?”

  “What have ye been doing?”

  “Do ye know how worried we’ve been?”

  Luciana grabbed her by the shoulders and looked her over. “You look like you haven’t slept at all.”

  “I haven’t.” Maeve shut the door behind them and locked it.

  “What the hell is going on?” Sorcha demanded. “Do ye know how terrified I was yesterday when ye wouldn’t see me?”

  “I’m sorry.” Maeve motioned to the worn-out chairs surrounding an old table. “Have a seat and I’ll try to explain.”

  “Ye’re not giving up on Brody, are you?” Gwen asked as she took a seat.

  “Ye’d better not,” Brigitta added. “It would break his heart.”

  “Shh.” Luciana hushed them as she sat down. “Let her speak.”

  The four sisters watched her expectantly as Maeve moved behind a worktable filled with books, pages of notes, and several lit candlesticks. She straightened a stack of papers. “I haven’t given up on Brody. I’m fighting for him.”

  “How?” Sorcha demanded.

  With a tired sigh, Maeve sat on a stool.

  “You look exhausted,” Luciana said softly. “Have you had anything to eat?”

  Maeve motioned toward an empty bottle. “My mother had some wine stashed away in the cupboard. Would you like some?”

  “No, we’re fine,” Gwen assured her.

  Maeve took a deep breath. “Then I’ll tell you what happened. About a week ago, when I was traveling to the Isle of Moon, the Seer passed away on the Isle of Mist. That night when he died, a strange sensation came over me in my sleep. And then I had a dream. Later on, I learned that it had come true. And since then, I’ve had other dreams that have come to pass.”

  Luciana leaned forward. “Are you saying that somehow the Seer’s power of foresight was transferred to you?”

  “Aye.” Maeve nodded. “It was. Because the Seer was my father.”<
br />
  Her sisters gasped.

  “Yer father was the Seer?” Brigitta asked.

  “And now ye have his power?” Gwen asked.

  Sorcha inhaled sharply. “Ye’re the new Seer.”

  Her sisters all exchanged shocked looks, then Luciana muttered, “I think we’ll have some wine after all.”

  Maeve opened the cupboard and set four glasses on the table. She pulled the cork from a wine bottle and poured a little in each glass. “When my mother died in the throne room, another strange sensation hit me, although this time it was much more intense. More painful. So much power surged through me, I thought my head would explode! And that was why I fainted.”

  “Ah.” Sorcha reached for a glass. “Now that makes more sense. All the men think ye simply fainted from shock.”

  Gwen snorted. “She’s much tougher than that.”

  “Exactly,” Brigitta agreed and took a sip of wine.

  Maeve retrieved another glass and poured herself a drink. “When I woke up in bed, my first thought was how devastated Brody must be.” She set her glass on the worktable. “And I thought about how easy it would have been for my mother to lift the curse on him and Gavin. But she refused! And it makes me so angry!” She waved a hand, and her wineglass exploded.

  Her sisters gasped.

  Maeve winced and grabbed a towel to sop up the mess. “Sorry. I’m not very good at controlling it yet.”

  “Controlling what?” Gwen asked.

  “My power,” Maeve replied. “When I woke up in bed and felt so much rage for my mother, the windows in my room cracked. I suspected then that I must have inherited my mother’s power. So I rushed here to see what I could learn from her books and notes.”

  Luciana gulped down some wine. “And what have you learned?”

  “Quite a bit.” Maeve swiped the broken glass into a rubbish tin that was nearly full. “As you can see, I’ve been practicing. It wasn’t exactly safe in here, so I didn’t want anyone coming in. And I wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing before I tried anything on a person.”

  “So ye’re a witch now?” Brigitta asked.

  Maeve nodded. “And a Seer, a shifter, and a siren. My father said I would be more powerful than my mother, and he was right.”