Page 12 of Entangled

“Oh, thank you, I’d love one. I am so hungry.” Merrow daintily plucked a grape from the bowl and held it while she took a small nibble and sucked out the juice. “Mmmm, this is soooo delicious. I’ve never had one before. It tastes similar to a grub, but sweeter.” She looked so happy. So innocent. And so damned sexy wearing his tunic and sucking on a grape, that he couldn’t think straight right now if he tried.

“Squire, give me my ale!” Sebastian ripped the cup away from Hitch and drank down the liquid.

“So, this is the sea witch I’ve heard the crew talking about,” said Drell, tapping his chin with one long finger. “I thought she’d look more like a fish and less like a human.”

“She’s most likely dangerous. We know nothing about her,” commented Farrimond, watching Merrow with squinted eyes and a pursed mouth. “My king, you need to throw her back into the ocean anon.”

“Yes!” Merrow popped the rest of the grape into her mouth and jumped up. “I’d like that, thank you.”

“Nay,” answered Sebastian in a deep voice. “The girl will stay at my side day and night until I can decide what to do with her.”

Merrow slowly sat back down, looking defeated.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you. How was the fishing trip, my good king?” asked Drell. “Did you catch anything besides…this monstrosity?” He looked down his long but crooked nose at Merrow. It made Sebastian want to punch him for referring to Merrow in such a manner. But Drell was his advisor. Sebastian would be better off trying to befriend the man instead.

“Nothing worth talking about.” Sebastian thunked down his tankard and stood up and stretched. It was late in the day but not nearly time to go to bed yet. He would have to come up with something to do that wouldn’t be hampered by having Merrow along. “Jocet, borrow a gown for Merrow to wear from one of the ladies of the castle and bring it up to my solar. I won’t have her walking around looking like a strumpet.”

“Yes, my lord,” said his steward with a bow of his head.

“Also assign her a handmaid.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary,” protested Merrow. “I like to do things for myself.”

“I can see that.” Sebastian’s eyes drifted back to her necklace she’d used to pick the locked door. “Farrimond, assign a guard to keep watch over the girl outside my solar door whenever I’m not there.”

“Aye, my lord.” Farrimond exchanged glances with Drell. “So, the sea witch is a prisoner then? Will she be executed?”

“Stop calling her a sea witch,” snapped Sebastian, walking over and taking Merrow’s arm. “And quit asking so many questions. A king never needs to explain his actions to anyone.”

“My king, we need to discuss this situation.” Drell was dogging his heels. “This is going to create quite a stir in the kingdom. Especially since she is a magical being. We can’t have that here. Your uncle wouldn’t have allowed it.”

“I don’t wish to discuss this at the moment. I’ll let you know when I am ready, now see to the other matters.”

“As you wish, your majesty.” Drell fell back as Sebastian continued on to his solar.

“Am I really your prisoner?” asked Merrow. They climbed the stairs together. “And are you going to execute me like Farrimond said?”

“First of all, I haven’t decided yet if you are a prisoner, a guest, or just a burden. Second, Farrimond never said I would execute you, he only asked.” Sebastian stopped in front of his closed door to speak with her. “And third, I want you to start listening to me and stop giving me trouble. I am a king. You do know what a king is, don’t you? Do they have kings where you come from?”

“Yes, we do. I know all about kings. You don’t need to explain.”

“I’m guessing I’m probably the first king you’ve ever met.”

Merrow rolled her eyes, not able to believe the pretentious self-importance of this man. She also found it amusing that he spoke to her as if she were some kind of naïve child.

“You don’t need to address me like a child. I am an adult if I must remind you.”

“I see.” He opened the door and let her enter, then followed her into the room and closed the door behind him. “How old are you? I’m twenty-five.”

“I’m older than you think.” She walked over and plopped down on the plush mattress of the bed. Not really spending a lot of time on land, her legs became tired easily from walking.

He chuckled. “Oh, you’re such an old lady.”

“One hundred and fifty.”

“What?” His head snapped around and he made a face.