The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea Page 11

  And what a shock to realize he’d met the princess. He was still cringing inside at the way he had addressed her and talked about her mother. Hey, you? Old biddy? Damn, he was lucky he was here in the queen’s privy chamber and not wasting away in a dungeon.

  He glanced around the room. The study may have belonged to the late King Rudgar at one time, but it was clearly a woman’s room now. The windows were open and white curtains billowed in the breeze that swept up from the harbor. Bookcases lined the bottom portion of the stone walls, but above them, beautiful tapestries and paintings filled the room with color. Most of the paintings were seascapes. Nevis edged closer to one to peer at the name in the corner.

  Elinor. Damn, but she was talented. The painting looked so real he could almost hear the waves crashing on the sand. He glanced at her. She was beautiful, too. Smart. Decisive. After hearing the news about Maeve, she’d taken immediate action. And she wasn’t pretentious in any way. Her blue linen gown was simple and functional. Her lovely black hair was pulled back in a braid without any ornamentation. As someone who had grown up in the army, he found himself admiring her decisive and practical nature.

  And from the great number of paintings on the wall, she was obviously a hard worker. Not at all what he had expected. So beautiful. So perfect.

  What the hell? He put a screeching halt to his thoughts. She’s a princess, you idiot. Completely beyond your reach. Besides, she probably thought he was a rude oaf. With good reason. He’d tried to apologize several times while they were walking to the castle, but she’d ignored his attempts. No doubt she had no personal interest in him whatsoever.

  But it was odd how much she and her mother were interested in Brody. Nevis studied the two women. Both had long black hair, although the queen had some gray in hers. They both had brilliant blue eyes. Much like Brody.

  By the Light, were they related? He recalled Brody telling him once that he had a mother and sister.

  No. Nevis shook his head. This couldn’t be right. Mother Ginessa had been clear that the queen had lost her husband and both sons at sea.

  The queen walked back to her desk and, gripping the back of her chair, she gave Nevis an assessing look. “My daughter has explained the situation to me. Ye believe Maeve and perhaps Brody have gone south in search of an island.”

  “Yes, the Isle of Secrets.” Nevis had told the princess everything on the way to Lessa Castle, including Maeve’s theory that there could be an Embraced army on the island.

  “I suggest ye return to Eberon so ye can alert the king and queen,” Esther announced. “I will dispatch a ship to search for the island and missing persons.”

  Nevis winced inwardly. “I will gladly send Captain Shaw back to Eberon with the news. However, with Your Majesty’s permission, I would appreciate it if you would allow me to travel with your ship. Maeve’s well-being is my responsibility, and I cannot shirk that duty.”

  Queen Esther’s eyebrows rose. “Are ye sure ye wish to go? Rumors have been rampant for years that any ship approaching the Isle of Secrets will be destroyed.”

  Nevis swallowed hard. So the queen knew about the gossip on the docks. “I still need to go. I have to bring Maeve safely home.”

  The queen nodded with an approving glint in her eyes. “I see ye are a man of honor. I will grant you permission, then, and if ye don’t mind, I would charge you with another duty to fulfill.”

  “It would be my pleasure to be of service, Your Majesty.” Nevis bowed his head. “The king and queen of Eberon would be delighted if you consider us an ally.”

  Queen Esther’s knuckles turned white as her hands tightened their grip on the back of her chair. “Then I will ask, nay, I beg of you—-bring Brody back safely.”

  Brody again. What was the relationship here? Nevis cleared his throat. “You seem to be well acquainted with him.”

  The queen lowered her head as a pained look crossed her face. Princess Elinor gave her mother a comforting pat on the shoulder, then turned to Nevis. When she gave him a brief smile, the sight was so beautiful he almost fell over.

  “This is Brody’s home,” the princess said.

  The queen raised her head, her eyes shimmering with tears. “’Tis been almost a year since I last saw him. Bring him home to me. Please.”

  “Then he—” Nevis dragged a hand through his hair. “No offense, Your Majesty, but I heard at the convent that you lost both your sons.”

  “I did.” A tear ran down the queen’s face. “I lost my husband and eldest son to the sea. As for Prince Brodgar, I lost him to a curse.”

  * * *

  Brody had tossed and turned most of the night, his sleep haunted by memories of a naked Maeve in his arms. Good goddesses, he was tempted to go back. She had confessed that he was the one she wanted, so what was stopping him?

  The curse, dammit. He couldn’t be a husband when he was himself only two hours a day. Neither could he be a king when he spent most of his time as a dog. The people on the Isle of Moon deserved better. Maeve deserved better.

  But at least he had convinced her to stay at the convent. Knowing that she was safe, he had finally been able to curl up in dog form to sleep.

  It was almost noon when he woke. After shifting into the Seer’s form, he fed the cat, then settled down at the table with a cup of tea and the Seer’s journal. He thumbed through the pages to where he had stopped the day before.

  Spring, Year 680.

  I am thrilled beyond the moons! Today, when Cahira came to see me, she had the most glorious news! She is with child!

  Surely I am the most blessed man in all of Aerthlan. I have the love of the most beautiful woman, and together, we will have a child. We are both thrilled and saddened, knowing that this precious child will be the last full-blooded descendant of our race.

  Once again, I asked Cahira to marry me, but once again, she declined. I cannot blame her. She has an island to rule, the last remnant of the great kingdom of Aerland. Why would she want to share my lonely existence here? Besides, she is working diligently to find us allies on the mainland, so I can bring peace and prosperity to the world. I am so happy at the thought that our child could grow up in a world of peace.

  The next day, Spring, Year 680.

  Last night I had a dream of our child. I saw her growing up, looking much like her mother with long black hair and sea-green eyes. But to my amazement, the vision revealed that she would become even more beautiful than Cahira. And more powerful. She will surpass us in every way. My heart is so full of love and pride for her! I can hardly wait to tell Cahira!

  Mid-Summer, Year 680.

  Finally, Cahira returned for a visit, and I was thrilled to see her belly swollen with our child. She admitted that she has felt poorly the last few months, and she’s been unable to shift or swim. For the first time, she came by ship to see me.

  And for the first time, I am afraid I have seen her true nature.

  I told her of my dream, expecting her to be as excited and proud as I am. But she recoiled in horror. She insisted no one could be more beautiful or powerful than she.

  Stunned, I questioned how she could speak so grudgingly of our beloved child. She shrugged and told me not to think twice about the matter, since she tended to be a bit grumpy these days due to the pregnancy.

  But I have doubts now. I saw the horror on her face. I heard the rage in her voice. I am afraid I have been deceived. She may not be the loving person I thought she was.

  Early Autumn, Year 680.

  Cahira has not returned, although I occasionally receive a short message by carrier pigeon. She claims she cannot travel because of the pregnancy. I am anxiously awaiting news of our daughter’s birth. I know the child will be born healthy, for I have continued to see her in visions.

  Late Autumn, Year 680.

  Cahira has lied to me. She sent a note that our daughter died in childbirth. I know this cannot be true, for I have seen the child grow up in my dreams.

  Cahira assured me she would conti
nue to work on my behalf to make sure I will rule all of Aerthlan someday. My interest in being a ruler has waned. I wish to see my daughter. I wish not to live here alone for the rest of my life.

  Brody groaned when he read those words. The Seer never did meet his daughter. But he hadn’t had to live alone. Five years later, he’d discovered Brody washed up on the island. And then he’d raised him like a son. Brody took a deep breath and continued to read.

  I no longer trust Cahira. She has used me and my visions. She is working only for herself. So selfish and vain that she rejected her own child.

  I have seen my daughter growing up in a convent, safe and loved by the sisters there. Did Cahira abandon her because of the dream I had? At least I know the child is safe. Happy and loved. Perhaps it is for the best that Cahira abandoned her.

  As for me, Burien of Aerland, my heart is broken. But I must remain strong. I will continue to play along with Cahira’s schemes, so I will know what she is doing. Hopefully, someday, I will be able to put a stop to her evil plans.

  With a sigh, Brody closed the journal. Poor Seer. It was a shame he had never met Maeve. But he’d been right. Maeve had been better off raised in the convent. Better off not knowing a mother who could abandon her for fear of being surpassed.

  “I will watch over your daughter as promised,” Brody whispered. “So rest in peace, old man.”

  Still in the guise of the Seer, Brody wandered into the garden to search for some vegetables to eat. The cat, Trouble, pretended to help him, digging little holes here and there.

  A sudden clanging startled him. Good goddesses! Had the ship arrived to take him to Cahira’s island?

  He pulled off the Seer’s clothes, then shifted into an eagle so he could fly to the cove where Nevis and Maeve had arrived two days ago. A small ship had dropped anchor, and he soared around it for a closer look. The flag on the mainsail was one he’d never seen before. A green background with a purple octopus in the middle.

  A rowboat had been pulled ashore. Up on the bluff, a young man was waiting. Muscular arms and legs. Leather breastplate and armbands. Most probably a soldier. Was he a member of the Embraced army?

  Brody flew back to the garden and shifted into the Seer again. After throwing on the old man’s clothes, he dashed into the cottage. What did he need? Not the journal. He couldn’t risk Cahira or one of her minions finding it. He stuffed it behind some books in the bookcase.

  The Seer possessed only a few clothes, so they were easily stuffed into a linen bag. He donned the Seer’s hooded robe, hitched the bag over a shoulder, grabbed the old man’s staff, and headed out the door.

  At the gate, he glanced back. Would he ever see this cottage again? His heart squeezed when he recalled all the tears and frustration he’d endured while adjusting to the loss of his family and his new life as an accursed shifter. But there had been good moments, too. Moments when he’d known that the Seer loved him.

  The cat meowed and rubbed against his legs. The cat.

  Brody winced. He couldn’t leave it behind. “You’ll have to come with me.”

  The cat meowed again as if he understood, and when Brody opened the gate, Trouble darted through, then trailed alongside him as he strode toward the cove.

  He would have to slow his steps, Brody reminded himself, once he was in sight of the soldier. He would have to fool everyone into believing he was a hundred-year-old man at death’s door.

  The real test would be deceiving Cahira. And then somehow getting rid of her and the Chameleon so the Circle of Five would be gone for good. But could he do it?

  Could he actually kill Maeve’s mother?

  * * *

  After leaving Lessa Castle, Nevis hurried down to the port to explain the situation to Captain Shaw, who was enjoying an ale at the local tavern where Nevis had rented his room.

  The captain shook his head, frowning. “How can I return to Ebton Palace without Maeve? We should search for her ourselves.”

  “I’m going with the queen’s ship to find her,” Nevis assured him. “You need to warn King Leo that the Embraced army may be on the Isle of Secrets. If it is, we must defeat it before the Chameleon can bring war and destruction to the mainland. Leo and the other kings need to rally their forces immediately.”

  “All right.” The captain tossed a few coins on the table as he rose to his feet. “Send confirmation of the army’s location as soon as you can.”

  “I will.” Nevis headed upstairs to his room and stuffed all his clothes into his knapsack. Then he wrote a quick note to Mother Ginessa. Back downstairs, he settled his bill and asked that a boy deliver the note to the convent.

  He strode down the pier, looking for the queen’s ship. That had to be it with the blue-and-white flag. He halted with a wince. The damned thing was barely any bigger than a fishing boat.

  Two men in uniform hurried down the plank onto the pier.

  “The Isle of Secrets?” one of them yelled. “Is she trying to get us killed?”

  “The queen can’t pay me enough to go there!” the other one added as they strode down the pier.

  They were deserting? “Wait!” Nevis called after them. “You can’t just leave. Aren’t you in Her Majesty’s navy?”

  “Not anymore!” The first man tossed his hat onto the pier. “Even our first officer has refused to go.”

  The two men stalked off, grumbling.

  Damn. Was there no one left onboard? Nevis dragged his hand through his hair. He was a soldier, not a sailor. He couldn’t sail the boat by himself.

  “Sir?”

  Nevis turned and discovered an older man, barefoot and dressed in ill-fitting clothes. His ruddy face was wrinkled and worried, and in his hands, he clutched a floppy hat.

  “Is it true?” the old man asked. “Ye’re going to search for the young lady who was nice to me?”

  Nevis blinked. “Lobby?”

  “Aye, ’tis me.” He jammed the hat on his head. “I went to the convent this morning like the young lady told me to. They gave me these clothes and a haircut and a nice breakfast. But they were all talking about how she’s missing.”

  Nevis nodded. “Maeve has gone in search of the Isle of Secrets.”

  “Och, I told her not to do that.” Lobby made the sign of the moons with trembling hands.

  The man was trying to withdraw from his dependence on liquor, Nevis thought. He rested a hand on the man’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Lobby. I’m going to find her. Stay strong.”

  Lobby’s chin wobbled. “But no one will sail with you. Everyone’s afraid.”

  Nevis squeezed his shoulder. “I’m not afraid. I’ll find her.”

  Lobby’s face crumpled. “I’ve always wondered why I was spared. Why all me mates died, and I didn’t.” He drew in a shaky breath, then lifted his chin. “I know the way. I will take you.”

  Nevis’s mouth fell open. “Are you sure?”

  “Aye.” Lobby tightened his trembling hands into fists. “This must be why I’m still alive. I have to help that poor lass.”

  “Thank you. Are you ready to go? Do you need to pack anything?”

  Lobby shook his head. “I don’t own anything.”

  “Then let’s go.” Nevis crossed the plank with Lobby close behind.

  The ship was empty except for one lone figure behind the wheel. He stood with his back to them, a hand resting on the sword against his hip. His linen shirt and breeches were blue, along with the long, droopy feather that decorated his wide-brimmed hat.

  Was this the captain? Nevis wondered. If so, he was rather small. Could he even use that sword?

  Nevis cleared his throat. “Will there be any more seamen joining us?”

  The small man turned around, and Nevis stumbled back, his knapsack tumbling to the deck. Holy crap! “You-Your Highness?”

  She removed her hat, and her long braid of hair fell down her back.

  “Yer Highness.” Lobby doffed his hat and bowed.

  What the hell? Nevis glared at the pri
ncess. “What are you doing here? Do you have any idea how dangerous this voyage could be? There’s a reason why all the seamen deserted.”

  Princess Elinor gave him a wry look. “Are ye worried about me?”

  “Hell, yes! I mean—” He dragged a hand through his hair. “You’re the heir to the throne. You shouldn’t take any risks.”

  She plopped the hat back on her head. “As far as I’m concerned, Brody is the heir. Are ye saying I shouldn’t even look for my own brother?”

  “You—you should let the men do it,” Nevis argued.

  She shrugged. “The men are too afraid. I am not.”

  Damn. She was brave. And beautiful. Nevis tried to keep his gaze from dropping to her breeches. For a petite woman, she had long legs. “D-did your mother give you permission to do this?”

  “Aye, she did. And ye may address me as captain.”

  Nevis snorted. “On a cold day in hell.”

  She raised an eyebrow, then turned to Lobby. “Ye have sailing experience, do ye not?”

  “Aye, my lady.” He bowed again. “Lobby is the name.”

  “Thank you, Lobby. Ye’ll be my first officer.”

  Nevis huffed. “Excuse me, Your Highness. I would be the obvious choice. I am a colonel, you know. In fact, that actually outranks a captain.”

  “Not at sea.” Elinor looked him over. “But I am glad ye’re here. All those muscles ye have will come in handy when hauling up the sails.”

  Nevis blinked. By the Light, she saw his muscles? His heart expanded, but his mind blared in alarm. Don’t you dare fall for her, you fool! He crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you even know how to sail this decrepit old tub?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Do ye doubt me?”

  “She’s the princess, sir,” Lobby whispered. “She’s been sailing all her life. This is her boat.”

  Nevis groaned inwardly. He certainly didn’t have to worry about his unfortunate attraction. The princess must think he was the rudest oaf in all of Aerthlan. He gritted his teeth. “I’m quite certain this lovely boat will be sufficient for our needs.”