Page 40 of Entangled

“Yes,” answered Medea. “Your sisters told us what they wanted to do and I helped them get here. Of course, I could only use my magic to transport them one at a time.”

“My brothers and I want to see you and your sisters get back home through the portal,” said Rhys.

“Thank you.” Merrow smiled and nodded. “However, transporting us one at a time will take too long.” She started to feel suddenly panicked. “Sebastian will be awake at any moment. I am not sure he’s going to just let us all leave. That might make trouble for him. His men may not respect him and think of him as weak if we just disappear.”

“Sister, you are starting to sound like you’re making up excuses to stay here,” Galene told her.

Mayhap she was, she sadly realized. Everything was happening so fast that she needed time to stop and think things over regarding what happened between her and Sebastian. Mayhap leaving right now wasn’t the answer after all.

Someone cleared their throat and everyone turned around to see Elric sitting in a horse-drawn wagon. He was on the driver’s seat with the reins in his hand.

“Elric?” asked Merrow. “What are you doing here?”

“I overheard the plan and knew it wouldn’t work. That’s why I brought the wagon. Get in. Hurry. I will take all of you directly to the sea. Anything to get Mura back to the way it was.”

“We can’t go anywhere until my sisters have their legs,” Merrow told him. They need to dry off some more first in order for that to happen.”

“Well, that’s gratitude for you,” said the elf with a scowl, mumbling to himself.

“Someone’s coming!” Medea looked over at the waterfall.

“It’s Sebastian,” said Merrow. “He’s coming to find me.”

“Merrow? Is that you?” Sebastian called out, appearing from behind the falls.

“Sisters, we need to get you into the wagon. Quickly,” warned Merrow, seeing Sebastian stop, taking in the situation.

“What’s going on here?” he asked. Sebastian was fully dressed and his hand wavered above the hilt of his sword strapped to him.

“We can’t leave!” cried Melite. “We still have our tails.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring you to the wagon.” Medea took Melite’s hand and transported her. They disappeared and then reappeared in the back of the wagon.

“Now me,” cried Galene. “Please, hurry. I don’t want to be trapped here.”

“Merrow, as those your sisters? What are they doing here?” Sebastian started toward them at a quick pace. “Wait! Don’t leave. You can’t.”

“Go!” Merrow commanded Medea. Medea took Galene’s hand next and transported her to the wagon as well.

“Merrow, hurry!” cried Galene from the cart.

Merrow stood still, not able to move. Part of her wanted to go home with her sisters. Another part of her wanted to stay with Sebastian. She hadn’t had time to think things over yet. After last night, nothing was the same. Merrow hadn’t even had the chance to tell Sebastian goodbye.

“Merrow, stop! Please. And keep your sisters from leaving,” yelled Sebastian, hurrying toward her. “You can’t go.”

When Merrow heard those words, she realized it was exactly what she had to do. If she didn’t try to get her sisters back through the portal now, she might never be able to do it again. She was sure by now her brother would be waiting, and she wasn’t sure how long he could keep the portal open.

Merrow turned and ran for the wagon, jumping on the back just as Elric pulled away in a hurry. Medea was with them in the back and Rhys rode up front with the elf.

“Merrow! Merrow, come back.” Sebastian shouted, but Merrow didn’t answer because she wasn’t sure what to say. All she could do was to stare at the man who had been her lover. Her protector. Someone whom she wished she’d had the chance to get to know even better.

“Get to the sea quickly and don’t stop, no matter what,” Merrow ordered Elric over her shoulder.

Sebastian’s image got smaller and smaller as they traveled down the road, leaving him behind. Merrow’s heart felt heavier than it ever had before. In her haste, she hadn’t thought this through. By going, she wasn’t only leaving Sebastian behind, but she’d also just abandoned her mother.

Sebastian never expected this! He wasn’t sure what happened. When they went to sleep last night, he and Merrow were getting along fine. More than fine. They’d held each other and kissed and made love. They’d spent the night together in each other’s arms, laughing and talking. They’d been intimate in not only the physical way but also with their thoughts, words and actions. They even shared stories, fears and wants. He had never talked like this and opened himself up this way with any woman before. Then again, Merrow was so much more than just any woman. She was special. Caring. Kind. She was a sea nymph. A true, unique beautiful, loving woman.

And now, this girl who had made him so happy, without even a simple goodbye just rode out of his life. Forever.