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“Let’s sort the other two out first,” Cormac smirked.
Once Tor and Shay were in their right mind, Cormac followed them to their suite. All four men remained silent, though there was a wary atmosphere that had not been there before.
As soon as the door closed on their suite, Tor whirled on his heels, and Cormac Illfinn found his throat at the business end of the kelpie’s dagger.
“Is that any way to thank me?” Cormac wheezed. “I saved your asses. You were on the way to indulge in King Irvine’s harem, no doubt breaking Maeve’s heart in the process.”
“Where is Maeve?” Tor said through gritted teeth.
“I don’t know.” Cormac frowned. “I assumed she was with you.”
“We were going to the harem?” Rainn whispered, pushing his fingers through his silver hair. “Belisama’s ballsack, why—”
“Lady Elaine appears to be more than she appears.” Cormac glanced down at the dagger. “Her magic was able to get through your hard head, Rainn Shallows.”
Rainn ignored him, looking down at his shaking hands.
“I could certainly use some time in the harem.” Shay joked, his smile shaky.
Tor’s head snapped to the side. “If you’re still playing the part of the rake, I suggest you stop. You’d have to be a fool to not notice that you sport a Shíorghrá mark on your chest.”
“My mate isn’t here though, is she?” Shay snapped.
Cormac snorted. “You truly are an eejit if you think it’s anyone but Maeve. Or have you been spouting this prophecy so long that you’ve ceased hearing it?” Cormac reached up, waving a hand toward the dagger. “Do you mind?”
“I think the dagger stays.” Tor narrowed his eyes. “After all, you tried to kill my mate.”
“Well,” Cormac cleared his throat awkwardly. “There is that.”
“Maeve went to get wine.” Shay supplied helpfully. “Lady Elaine sent her to the kitchens.”
“Like a servant?” Cormac’s lip curled.
“Well... Yes.” Shay winced.
“We were enchanted. Befuddled.” Rainn argued.
“You were something alright.” The Mer-King muttered. “So, no one knows where Maeve is?”
The other three men exchanged glances, but none said a word as they realized how badly they’d fecked up.
“Perhaps she’s hiding?” Rainn suggested.
“Perhaps.” Cormac’s lip twisted. After Lady Elaine’s proposal to sell Maeve to him as chattel, Cormac Illfinn didn’t feel good about Maeve’s absence.
Lady Elaine was not at dinner the next night, though the several servants Cormac asked about Maeve and assured him she preferred to take her meals alone.
Cormac was not convinced.
Tor, Rainn, and Shay began their search of the castle, as covert as a shark amongst a reef.
Cormac was much more subtle. A smile at the right serving girl, a brush of a hand against a female courtier’s arm.
He was exhausted from all of the fawning by the time he finally learned where Maeve’s rooms were. He’d drawn a map in the glowing algae the preening undine wore painted on their bodies.
If only he had been able to slip from his room without the others in tow—benefitting from all his hard work after they’d spent the day lifting vases and looking behind statues.
“You could go to the harem while we check Maeve’s rooms?” Rainn suggested, nudging Cormac’s shoulder as they swam through the castle.
