Page 29 of Entangled

Merrow didn’t correct him. At least this gained her passage inside. Still, she didn’t know why she felt like an intruder. After all, she had done nothing wrong. Merrow figured her best move would be to find her sisters and leave before Sebastian showed up with his army and a battle broke out.

Stopping the cart, she used her mind to call to her sisters. Melite? Galene? Where are you? I’m here to rescue you.

Merrow? We’re in the ladies solar next to the great hall. It was Galene who answered her.

Hurry, come out to the courtyard. I have a wagon and we need to leave at once, she told them.

Nay, not yet, Merrow, came Melite’s voice in her head next. There is something I need to finish first. Come inside. Please.

Not understanding why her sisters were acting this way, Merrow got down from the wagon and made her way toward the keep. With the blanket still covering Sebastian’s large hood that was hanging over her eyes, she couldn’t see well and bumped right into someone. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said, the blanket slipping off and to the ground. Merrow looked up to see a beautiful woman with strawberry-blonde hair and pointy ears, smiling at her. She wore a crown on her head and Merrow realized she must be the queen of the castle. “My lady,” she said, attempting a curtsy. Her feet got tangled up in Sebastian’s robe. Since she’d just come from the water and her legs were still not that sturdy, she stumbled and fell.

“My goodness. Are you all right?” The kind woman held out her hand to help her up. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know you. I am Queen Lira. Who might you be?”

“You’re the Elven Queen,” Merrow spoke her thoughts aloud without even realizing that she had.

“That’s right. And I feel I am at a disadvantage because I still don’t know your name.” The woman was so nice. She smiled the entire time.

“I’m—Merrow Havfine,” looking up. Their eyes met but the woman didn’t react. She obviously didn’t know she was a sea nymph.

“Welcome to Evandorm Castle, Merrow Havfine. Was there somewhere you were going?”

“I was to meet someone. In the ladies solar.”

“Well, let me show you the way.”

“Thank you.” Merrow silently walked behind the queen, stopping only when they approached the solar door. “It’s right here,” she said, actually opening the door, even though she was a noble and Merrow was not. “Come inside. We have a sewing circle going on and you are welcome to join us.”

“Me? But you don’t even know me. I’m no one. Why would you invite me?”

“Because, I can tell by the color of your blue-green eyes that you, my dear, are a sea nymph like Melite and Galene. Am I right?” She raised a brow.

“You are correct.” Merrow let out a sigh. “Melite and Galene are my sisters.” She lowered the hood to expose her identity.

“Merrow! Look at this.” Melite held up a lady’s gown. “I sewed it myself. It’s so fun. You should try it.”

“It seems as if Merrow already has a gown,” remarked Galene, looking up from her sewing. “How lucky are you. Did you sew it yourself?”

Merrow stood in shock, barely able to believe these were her sisters. Why were they acting more like humans than undines? Had these humans at the castle changed her sisters this drastically in such a short time?

“What is the matter with you?” Merrow hurried into the room and walked right up to them. There were several other ladies in the room with them. “We are undines, not humans,” she reminded her sisters. “Now put that down. We don’t sew.” She grabbed Melite’s gown, but her sister wouldn’t release it.

“Nay, Merrow. Leave it alone. I chose the color pink to go with my new shell necklace. Let go, you’re going to rip it.”

“Galene? What are you doing?” asked Merrow, hoping since Galene was older than Melite that she’d have more common sense.

“It is actually quite enjoyable, Merrow.” Galene pulled the needle and thread through the cloth. “I find it relaxing. You really should try it.”

“I will do no such thing! We are sea nymphs and need to get back to the water. Back home!”

“All three of you are welcome to stay for as long as you’d like,” offered Lira.

A small lady with chestnut-colored hair and a pixie-like composure ran over with two women who had long, dark hair.

“Hello, Merrow. I am Talia. Darium Blackseed is my husband.”

“And I’m Medea, married to Darium’s brother, Rhys,” said one of the dark-haired women.

“My name is Persimmon,” said the third. “My husband is Stone.”