Page 25 of Entangled

Eight

Merrow snuck through the corridor, thankfully having been able to leave the solar before the guard even arrived at the door. She wore the gown of a lady now, covered by a cloak she’d found hanging from a hook on the wall.

It was Sebastian’s cloak. She could feel his essence from the robe wrapped protectively around her. The scent of leather and woodsmoke clung to it, tantalizing her mind with each breath she took. Her head told her to be wary of this man. Not to trust him in the least. But her heart was singing a different tune. Mayhap it was only because she always tried to find the good in everyone and each situation, but she didn’t believe Sebastian was truly evil. If he had been, he wouldn’t have protected her from his men. She would be in the dungeon along with Dee right now, but he hadn’t done that.

The cloak was two sizes too big for her and almost tripped her as she walked, but she didn’t care. She needed a disguise in order to get down to the dungeon unnoticed. For some reason, being wrapped in Sebastian’s cloak made her feel safe and protected, like being held in his warm and caring arms. It was similar to the same feeling she’d had when he carried her in her undine form into the keep after she’d gotten tangled in his fishing net. Or when he caught her when she collapsed in his arms. Nay, those weren’t traits of a truly evil man. Were they?

She could tell there was a stir going on by all the commotion coming from the great hall. Keeping to the shadows, her curiosity got the best of her. She needed to know what was happening.

Hearing men’s voices coming closer, she darted beneath the stairwell to wait until it was clear to emerge again without being seen.

“Our king requests I put together an army to storm Evandorm Castle at first light.” It was Sebastian’s captain of the guard speaking. There was no doubt about it.

“Aye, Captain. We will do whatever King Ravenwolf wants. But might I ask the reason for this battle?” asked a soldier.

“He wants the sea witches that the Blackseed brothers are harboring,” answered Farrimond.

“There are more of them?” asked the soldier in surprise.

“Three in all.” It was Drell who joined them. “Our king is finally acting strong like his uncle. With all three of the sea nymphs, he’ll hold more power than any one of those Blackseeds.”

“But the Blackseeds brothers have magic,” said the soldier, sounding extremely concerned. “How can we fight that? We’ll be at a disadvantage, won’t we?”

“We will, but Sebastian won’t let that stop him,” said Drell. “He is too strong to be intimidated.”

“The soldier has a point, Drell,” said Farrimond. “We’ve all seen what kind of damage those magical beings can cause. And now all of the Blackseeds are married to women even more powerful than themselves. We will lose a lot of men going up against them.”

“Then so be it,” said Drell with no care at all in his voice. “The only thing that matters is that our king knows what is required of him and acts in the appropriate manner. Which he is doing, thankfully.”

The men left and Merrow continued toward the dungeon, shaken to have overheard that conversation. It sounded as if Sebastian was still doing what he thought was expected of him. To gain the approval of others. Why couldn’t he see that none of that mattered at all?

Luck was on her side. Just as she approached the outer room of the dungeon, the door opened and a guard walked past her, never even knowing she was there. Merrow held her breath, hiding in the dark corridor. As soon as he turned the corner, she rushed forward and slipped inside the outer room, only to see another guard. However, he was sitting on a chair balanced by two legs, leaning himself back against a wall. His feet were up on a table and his eyes were closed. She was sure he was asleep since she heard him snoring.

Carefully and quickly, she tiptoed to him, slipping the key ring from his belt.

Mother? Mother I’m here to free you. Where are you?she asked silently in her mind.

Merrow?I’m in the first cell. But you shouldn’t be here. It is too dangerous, her mother answered back in her thoughts.

Be ready to go. And stay quiet. Merrow quickly found the key and opened the outer gate to the inner cells. The gate squeaked and her heart jumped. She held her breath, glancing back over her shoulder. Thankfully, the guard only stirred a little but was still asleep. Merrow saw her mother standing by the cell door. She opened it and together they walked hand-in-hand, sneaking out of the dungeon and into the corridor.

As soon as they were out of earshot, she spoke aloud. “Mother, are you all right?” She hugged her.

“I am fine, Merrow. You shouldn’t have come.”

“I couldn’t leave you here to rot or to be executed.”

“I appreciate the rescue, but where will we go now?”

“I overheard some of the men talking. Sebastian is putting together an army. He plans to storm Evandorm in the morning and steal Melite and Galene.”

“You called the king Sebastian,” said her mother, seeming bewildered. “Merrow, why would you do that? Have you been intimate with the man?”

“It’s not what you think. Now hurry. We need to get there before them, and I have no idea where to even find Evandorm Castle.”

“You don’t, but I do. And I know exactly how we’ll get there too.”

Fifteen minutes later, Merrow and her mother were in a horse-drawn wagon heading toward Evandorm Castle. Her mother was driving.