They kept him under lock and key, somewhere with the others, and I was free to roam their halls. But why? What did they want from me?
He looked me dead-on, eyes crosshatching my face, thick lashes fluttering, until understanding flushed his features.
He released my forearm, repulsed.
“You are content.” Disgust scorched each word.
“Content?” I questioned.
“Unless—” He quickly grabbed my face. He held my chin, moving it with those beautiful hands side to side, our faces so near my heart halted.
“What are you doing?” I said, shaking him off.
“They haven’t entranced you, I don’t think.”
“They can’t. Apparently it doesn’t work on women.”
“So why are you playing house cat?” His gaze seared me, the accusation more painful than when he thought I was aiding the sirens. As if accepting my circumstances was a greater offense than deceiving him.
“I am not content.” I scoffed at the assertion like it hadn’t injured my pride. “I tried to escapetwiceand nearly died trying, both times.”
But Arlo said nothing. Only stared at me as a frown tugged on his lips.
I knew that look well. Pity.
But he did not need to pity me. I fought as hard as I could. But what was the point of resisting blindly, without thought, when I could navigate this situation with strategy? Especially if it meant keeping him and his crew alive.
“Come now, don’t be rude,” Morvyn drawled from across the library.
Fear flickered in Arlo’s eyes, quickly chased by anger.
“Elowyn darling, is thisbrutemisbehaving?” Morvyn sailed beside me. His white hair was swept back, showcasing the edges of his sharp cheekbones. In contrast to Arlo’s raw humanity, Morvyn appeared absolutely otherworldly.
“No, he is not,” I said flatly, stepping to Arlo’s side to make it clear who I stood with. “He simply wonders the same as I. Why am I free and he and the others are not?”
“You’re free to roam Naiadon because Nymphaea brought you here to be saved.” Morvyn’s mesmerizing white eyes flitted to Arlo. “And she sent you here to repent,tiny toes.”
Arlo didn’t flinch or falter under Morvyn’s icy regard. Instead, jaw clenched, he took a step closer.
I gently grasped Arlo’s forearm, giving it a firm squeeze, hoping to calm him. Now was not the time to fight. He flinched at the touch, but didn’t pull away this time.
“Why are you here, Morvyn?” I said, trying to distract the siren.
Morvyn turned from the captain, his ability to make the movement an insult impressive.
“Mydearking regent requests I assist the two of you with your little project.”
Chapter 17
After more fuming, Arlo finally gave Morvyn a list of tools and materials he would need to fix the virginal: a lengthy list of strings, wood, and other supplies. But the room remained tense.
Relief washed over my nerves when Nixie and Lumina entered the library. I needed reinforcements to keep these two from tearing out one another’s jugulars.
“Lumi, why don’t you escort the captain to his quarters,” Nixie offered, noting my unease.
“What?” Morvyn drawled, “But I was so excited to spend a little time with our newpet.” Morvyn smiled impishly. “I was going to teach it to fetch.”
Arlo cut the siren a deadly look. “I’llfetcha blade and show you what an animal I am, you—”
