Page 46 of Entangled

Fifteen

Sebastian stopped his horse on the shore, able to see Elric in the water atop a dolphin, and several heads that from this distance looked to be the sea nymphs. Merrow included.

“Call to your daughter,” Sebastian told Dee, getting off the horse. “Tell her in your mind that I want to talk to her.”

“It is dangerous for me to do that,” said Dee. “If there are other sea nymphs in the water, they will hear my thoughts.”

“So? What is wrong with that?” He reached up and helped her dismount.

“I don’t want my husband to hear my thoughts. If so, there will be trouble.”

“Your husband is dead,” Sebastian reminded her.

“Not that ogre, King Sethor. I mean my real husband, Nereus.”

“Who?”

“He is known on the other side of the portal as Old Man of the Sea.”

“So, he’s an old man, then.” Sebastian nodded. “I promise, if he emerges, I won’t let my men hurt him.”

“Hurt him?” She laughed. “You’d better pray he doesn’t come through that portal. Because even though he is six thousand years old, he is more powerful than any or all of your army.”

“Six thousand years old?” Sebastian laughed, thinking she was jesting. Then, when he saw the serious look on her face, he knew she wasn’t. “All right, just call for Merrow and I’ll take it from here.”

“She already knows you are here and is calling for you to come to the edge of the water.”

“All right. I will,” said Sebastian, not feeling threatened in the least. He walked past his army, his captain of the guard stopping him.

“My king, I see the Blackseed brothers here.” Farrimond drew his sword, the sound of metal ringing in the air. “Shall I command the men to attack? We could take them out easily since I don’t see too many of their magical women with them.”

“I agree. Attack right away.” Drell rode up on his horse to join them. “It is your big chance to take over their kingdoms. Their armies are not with them and we have a fighting chance. Do it, now.”

“Nay! Wait,” said Sebastian.

“Whatever for?” asked Drell. “I am your advisor, and I tell you to attack. Your uncle always listened to me, so what is your problem?”

“My uncle is dead,” said Sebastian. “So tell me, where did your advice really get him? Now everyone, stay here. Don’t approach us, and don’t come to the shore unless I command it.” He took Dee by the arm and they trudged down to the water’s edge together.

“Mother!” Merrow cried out from the water, holding on to a pier.

“Merrow. Daughter!” Dee ran to the water’s edge, kicking off her shoes and wading waist deep into the sea to be near her daughter.

“Merrow! I need to talk to you.” Sebastian hurried after her. But by the time he got down to the shore, something was happening. The water swirled and huge waves thrashed back and forth. The sea became suddenly rough as if there was a bad squall spat up from nowhere. He looked upward but there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was the oddest thing he’d ever seen.

“Merrow, come quickly.” Melite stuck her head out of the water. “We have a problem.”

“What problem?” asked Merrow.

“I’m sorry, but Father read my mind and knows what happened to Mother and that she is here. He is furious. He has just come through the portal and is seeking revenge.”

“Oh, no!” Merrow looked back at her mother. “It’s happening, Mother. I’m sorry. But a war is about to be fought over this no matter if we like it or not.”

“A war? About Sethor marrying Dee?” Sebastian couldn’t understand this. “Just explain to him that Sethor is dead. It’s over now. There is no one to exact revenge upon.”

“He said he’s going to kill Sethor’s successor,” said Nerites, their brother, sticking his head out of the water next.

“This is bad,” said Merrow, looking really afraid. “I’m so sorry, Sebastian. It wasn’t supposed to end this way.”