Page 31 of Entangled

Ten

“Why am I not surprised to see her already here?” Sebastian looked over the heads of the Blackseed brothers while talking to his squire, noticing Merrow in the courtyard of Evandorm Castle.

“It’s Merrow, my lord,” said Hitch, even though everyone could see her for themselves. “That means the Blackseeds have already won. They’ve captured her.”

“Nay, I won’t allow it. Over my dead body.” Sebastian drew his sword. His army took their cues from him and did the same.

“What is it you want, Ravenwolf?” Zann called out. “You can’t come to my gates with your army and weapons drawn and think I’ll do nothing about it. Guards, arm yourselves,” Zann called out to his soldiers. They ran over and formed a circle around Zann and his brothers.

“Zann, hold up,” Rhys warned him under his breath. “We have women and children in the courtyard.”

“Everyone get inside for your own safety,” was Zann’s order. “All soldiers, draw your swords. Be prepared for battle.”

“Nay!” shouted Merrow, running forward, pushing her way through the sea of armed men until she got to Sebastian. The magical ladies of the castle were right behind her.

“Medea, get inside,” growled Rhys.

“Husband, you know it is really the women who have the magical powers needed to win a war,” Medea spoke freely, not sounding at all concerned about offending her husband or the other men. Sebastian found that odd as well as disrespectful.

“No one is going to battle or go to war over me or my sisters,” said Merrow.

“Is that what this is all about? The sea nymphs?” asked Darium. He had yet to draw his large blade that was strapped to his back, although it seemed evident a fight was about to break out.

“I want all the sea nymphs. Now, hand them over to me,” commanded Sebastian.

“We will not,” spat Zann. “Now leave.”

“Why would I leave when you have something of mine?” Sebastian looked right at Merrow. “Come, Merrow. I want you back at Macada Castle.”

“She’s not yours!” Medea’s hand swished through the air, causing Sebastian’s sword to fly out of his grip. It clattered to the ground. “None of these women belong to any of you.”

“That is a definite act of aggression for which you will all pay.” Sebastian’s eyes turned and he glared at Merrow. She felt his anger and realized he was about to give the command to fight. She also realized that if a fight broke out, Sebastian and his men had no chance of surviving with all the powers these magical beings held.

“You are not taking any of the sea nymphs, Ravenwolf. They are under the protection of me and my brothers,” stated Darium.

“That’s right,” added Rhys. “So, just turn around right now and leave and no one will get hurt.”

“I can’t do that, Blackseed. And neither will I,” Sebastian answered.

Merrow watched in fear as the threat of a battle surfaced. There was no doubt that Sebastian’s pride was going to make him order his men to stay and fight, and she didn’t like that a bit.

“Wait!” cried out Merrow, bending down to retrieve Sebastian’s sword. She picked it up and handed it to him hilt first. “I will return to Macada Castle with you,” she told Sebastian.

Nay, Merrow. What are you doing? came Galene’s silent words in her mind.

You can’t leave us. Please, don’t go, came Melite’s silent cry next.

It’s all right. Trust me, she answered her sisters with her mind. I don’t want anyone to get killed. This is best for now. Meet me at the waterfall at first light. I hear the falls are positioned between all the castles. Just head for the mountains to find them.

“Let me make sure I understand this. You are volunteering to return with me? On your own?” asked Sebastian.

“Yes. That is correct,” she answered.

“Why?”

“I do it with one request only,” she told him. “That you and your army leave here now and that no battle breaks happens.”

“Well, I’m not sure I like those terms,” said Sebastian with a chuckle. “After all, I haven’t got everything I came for yet. So tell me, why would I leave?”