Page 32 of Entangled

“That’s right,” snarled his captain of the guard from next to him. “Our king will have everything he wants. As well as all the power.”

“Power isn’t something that can be given or even stolen,” said Merrow, trying to bring peace to this hostile situation. “Like respect, it goes hand in hand along with honor. It is something inborn, not created.”

“That’s nonsense, my king.” Farrimond was ready for a fight and getting the army riled. “The Blackseed brothers stole their kingdoms. Kingdoms that should never be in their hands. Let us fight, my lord. We’ll take back all that is rightfully yours.”

“Fighting isn’t the answer,” said Merrow, still holding out his offered sword. “Please,” she said in a mere whisper. “Do what you know in your heart is the right thing to do. Even if it is not what’s expected of you.”

Sebastian scanned the faces of the army of men in Evandorm, weapons drawn, ready to take him down. He took in the frightened looks of Merrow’s sisters as they clung to each other, anxiously awaiting his answer. Their eyes were opened wide in fright. Then he glanced over his shoulder at his men. They were ready to do as commanded, but only Farrimond had that hungry look in his eyes wanting to draw first blood.

Was it really fair to his men to make them fight, just to claim a few more sea nymphs? He didn’t even know what he’d do with them any of them. The one alone was more than enough trouble as it was. Then again, he was king. Backing down would make him look weak. He couldn’t have that. But neither did he want spilled blood over something he couldn’t really justify fighting over.

“You’ll come with me and not sneak out and leave again behind my back?” asked Sebastian.

“I promise. If you leave my sisters be, I will go with you of my own free will and not try to escape again.”

His hand went to his pouch that held her shell charm. He didn’t need to make deals with a sea nymph. If he wanted to, he could just control her by using the charm. She would have to heed to his command then. He could still have her, fight his war, and steal the other sea nymphs if he could manage to pull this off. Then again, these beings were all magical. Honestly, his manpower couldn’t go up against what they could do without even touching a one of them. He’d seen their effects of magic before. He’d also seen what type of damage could be done. The previous kings of Mura were dead, having lost their lives because magic was involved. Mayhap he should just take the nymph and leave and not look back. Perhaps that would be the best deal of them all.

“I’ll call off my men and leave. For now.” Sebastian reached out and took his sword from Merrow, sheathing it. “Lower your weapons, men.”

Many disappointed grunts and groans filled the air.

“My men, lower your blades as well,” Zann called out to his soldiers.

“I will leave with Merrow only,” Sebastian said, reaching down and pulling her up atop his horse with him. “However, if any of you come to my door uninvited again, or try to cause trouble, next time there will be a battle and I will not change my mind about it.” He turned his horse as Merrow slipped her arms around his waist to hold on. “I promise you, that battle will not be called off again, because the next one will be a fight to the death.”

Merrow didn’t say a word to Sebastian on the way back to Macada Castle. She was too distraught since she kept hearing her sisters calling to her in her mind. Nothing was going as planned. Her hope to rescue her sisters and return home had failed since Sebastian arrived too soon. Or mayhap it was really because she stayed in the ocean too long. Even if she had gotten to Evandorm in plenty of time, did it really matter? Her sisters, for some odd reason, seemed to like living like humans. It sounded to her as if they were in no hurry to get back home. Merrow was afraid that being around these humans was tainting her sisters’ minds. Humans and magical beings both, actually. Mayhap that was what made Melite and Galene act this way.

It was up to her now to convince them to go home where they belonged. She kept thinking of her poor mother and how unhappy she seemed to be ever since she turned human. Was giving up everything they loved just to gain a soul worth it? She didn’t think so. Merrow had lived for the last one hundred and fifty years as a sea nymph, an undine, and that is how she would someday die. There was nothing here for her on Mura. She needed to find a way to escape again, and this time meet up with her brother who could lead them back through the portal and to their father where they belonged. The hardest part about this plan was that she had no idea how to save her mother, and the last thing she wanted was to leave her behind.

“Why are you so quiet, Merrow?” asked Sebastian.

“I have nothing to say to you,” she answered with a sniff. “You tried to control me with my charm to do what you wanted me to do. Then you tried to kidnap my sisters. Plus, you also threw Dee into prison again. You are a horrible, horrible man, Sebastian Ravenwolf!”

He chuckled. “For not having anything to say to me, you certainly managed to convey a lot.”

“Well, now I am done.” She’d been holding on to him around his waist, sitting behind him atop his steed. But now she released him, not wanting to feel the warmth of his body pressed up against her anymore. Any emotions she had felt for this man were not real, she reminded herself. They were only because he forced them to happen. It was what he wanted, not her.

“Farrimond, take the men back to Macada and wait for me there,” ordered Sebastian.

“My lord?” asked Farrimond in surprise. “Where are you going? Not back to confront the Blackseed brothers, I hope. If so, we will accompany you.”

“Nay, I assure you I have no plans to go back there. Not yet. Just do what I say. And tell my steward if I am not back by nightfall to serve the meal without me and be sure to close the gate.”

“Aye, my king.” Farrimond rode to the front of the traveling party while Sebastian directed his horse down a path that led in a completely different direction.

“Where are you taking me?” Merrow demanded to know. “And why did it sound as if we won’t return to the castle tonight?”

“I am taking you to a place that I believe will do you good. I am sure you will feel comfortable there.”

“I doubt it. Unless you plan on taking me home.” She noticed he neglected to mention staying anywhere for the night.

“Home?” he questioned. “Nay. Not exactly. But it’s the closest I can do for now so I hope it will suffice.” He rode out into a clearing. There before them was a big, tall waterfall with a small lake at the base of it. The water gushed over the rocks, coming from the high mountains above. The sound of the power behind the water and the churning of the falls was like music to her ears.

“It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the lush, green vegetation surrounding the falls. A rainbow of colors danced in the spray of the water as it rushed over the cliff. The roar of strength and nature filled her ears. This flowing water made her feel alive and awakened her senses. “Oh, look at the cute little lily pads and the bright colorful flowers floating on the water.”

She couldn’t wait to see them closer. Without waiting for Sebastian to help her dismount, she slid off the horse and took off at a run for the lake.

“I thought that might interest you.” He tied the horse’s reins to a tree and followed her. “This is fresh water, not salt water. Will that make a difference when you submerge yourself in it?”