Page 27 of Entangled

“Mother?” Nerites jerked backward in shock at hearing this.

“Yes, she is alive. But she is no longer an undine. She was forced to marry a human.”

“Father will be furious to hear this.” Her brother scowled, reminding her a lot of her father in one of his bad moods.

“Nay! You can’t tell Father about this,” she warned him.

“Why not? Mother is his wife. Of course, he has to know.”

“Mother is also ashamed of what happened to her. She doesn’t want Father to find out. She feels it is better if he, as well as our siblings, think she is really dead.”

“And is that what you think, too?” Nerites shook his head, making no secret of how he felt.

Merrow wasn’t sure how to answer. Then she thought of the love her parents once held for each other. It didn’t feel fair. It wasn’t right to keep them apart. Even after all that happened.

“I don’t know if I agree with Mother, but it is her choice, not mine.”

All of a sudden, Merrow heard her mother’s voice calling to her in her mind. Nerites heard it as well.

“Nerites, something is wrong. Mother is trying to reach me. Come with me and help us. Please.”

Nerites looked back to see the portal closing. “I can’t,” he said. “I need to get the Calling Conch back to Father or I might be trapped here as well.”

“Then go,” she told her brother. “But come back when you can. I will try to have our sisters ready to swim through the portal as soon as you open it again.”

Merrow, King Ravenwolf’s soldiers have me. Stay hidden or they will find you, too.

“Nay, Mother. I’m coming to help you. Hold on.” She said it aloud under the water, knowing her mother would hear it either way. Merrow swam as fast and as hard as she could, popping her head out of the water to see the soldiers dragging her mother away. They had her mount the back of one of their horses. There were only two men. Merrow realized that she’d been gone longer than she thought because the sun was already lighting up the horizon.

She wanted to help her mother, but was worthless in this form. With a tail, she wouldn’t even be able to walk on land. It took time to dry off and for her legs to appear. By then, the soldiers would be back at the castle. Merrow blamed herself that this happened. She never should have asked to go for a swim in the sea. Now, she was about to pay for her mistake.

Her mother looked back at the water as she rode away atop the horse with the guard, talking to Merrow in her mind.

Find your sisters and take them home, Merrow. Don’t come back for me. This is my home now. Save yourselves. Please. Go.