Page 56 of Whispers of the Starlit Sea
Stay or go.
Him or her family.
A life on the ocean or one below.
It would be her choice.
The note from Elsbeth’s book taunted him, but he refused to believe it.
If the curse be not broke by the rising of the next moon at her height, then the mer shall return to the sea as foam.
No. That wouldn’t happen. Besides, the moon wasn’t yet full, was it?
The thud of the door leading onto the terrace broke through his thoughts. Quiet footsteps hurried toward them until Ailsa stepped onto the mosaic floor. Sorcha pulled away, and he didn’t resist, crossing to speak to Ailsa. He had been expecting the other sibling.
She gave him a knowing look. “Sorry to interrupt, cousin.”
“Nothing to interrupt,” he said, not quite meeting her eyes. “What’s wrong? Where’s Thomas?”
“Thomas is trying to convince Father to release the merfolk.”
Arick sighed. “We tried that. The council threw us out.”
“I know. But he read about someone in the Edeland court holding the floor and talking for hours and hours just to prove a point, so he’s doing that. If nothing more, it’s a distraction, so none of the council will be down in the dungeons.”
“It's night; no one should be down there anyway.” Although he wouldn’t put it past MacIsaac to be lurking around when he shouldn’t be.
“I know, but he’s trying to help.” Her words carried a note of pride for her older brother.
“Who is going to get the guard to move, then?”
“I’ll do it.”
“Are you sure?” Arick had a hard time remembering Ailsa wasn’t a small child anymore. She was still small and delicate, but she was determined and resourceful.
“Unless we want to wait until tomorrow, there’s no one else.” She looked at him with a hint of challenge in the tilt of her chin.
He glanced at the moon, knowing he was running out of time. “No, it has to be tonight.”
“Then I’ll go. I’ll claim I was curious about them and hurt my ankle or something. Watch for my signal. I’ll toss my handkerchief out the lowest window.”
“We’ll follow shortly and hide in the tower, so we’ll be close if you need us.”
She laid her hand on his arm. “Take care, Arick. I know you care about her, but if she’s truly mer, do you know what that means?”
“Do you?”
“No. And that’s what worries me.”
“I’ll be fine. Go, before it gets any later.”
Chapter sixteen
Ailsa’sarrivalsentasubtle ripple through the night. Sorcha stepped away from Arick, holding back her sigh.
As anxious as she was for the evening’s activities to start, it had been nice hiding away and pretending for a few moments. Pretending that being wrapped in Arick’s arms was something she could have.
Shreds of clouds drifted past the moon, casting the terrace into shadow. Sorcha used the cover of darkness to wipe the moisture from her eyes. She stole a glance at Arick. He was far enough away that her chest should have been tight, but she could breathe without resistance.
