Page 56 of Entangled

Zann cleared his throat. “So, can we continue with finalizing the alliance?”

“Of course,” Sebastian answered.

“Elric, bring the agreement, please,” Zann called out.

The elf appeared in a blur, almost making Merrow dizzy. He held a rolled-up parchment in one hand, and a feathered quill in the other.

“I’m still not sure about this alliance,” complained Elric. “That is why I have written up the agreement in detail.” He snapped his wrist and the parchment unrolled, hitting the ground since it was so long.

“What’s all this?” Sebastian eyed the contract.

“It’s nothing to worry about,” Darium told him. “It basically says you will never punish, imprison, or kill anyone who has magic again.”

“Of course, not.” Sebastian looked over at Merrow. “My bride-to-be comes from a magical family as well. It was my uncle who made up those silly rules against magic to begin with. I never agreed with them.”

“Good, good,” said Elric with a nod. “Then sign it.” He thrust the scroll and the quill at Sebastian.

“My king, mayhap I should read over the contract first.” His captain of the guard, Farrimond, came forward. “Now that Drell is dead, I’d like to take over as your advisor.”

“The only advisor I need is Merrow,” Sebastian answered. “Besides, making an alliance is all about trust. There is no need to read it. I’ll sign it if the Blackseeds assure me it is fair and for the good of all.”

“It is.” Rhys nodded. “We’ve all signed it already.”

Sebastian looked at the quill and then over at Elric. “I’m afraid you forgot to give me the ink.”

“Don’t need any,” said the elf with a sniff. “It’s done by magic.”

“Really.” Sebastian put the quill to the parchment, and surprisingly watched as his name appeared on the paper. “Interesting.” He went to hand it back, but Elric crossed his arms and shook his head.

“Nay. The girl has to sign it too.”

“What?” asked Merrow in surprise. She hadn’t been expecting this.

“Sebastian is king, and the two of them are not yet married,” Farrimond interjected. “There is no need for the sea nymph to sign.”

“It’s all right. I’ll do it,” said Merrow, not wanting to cause trouble. She needed all the kingdoms of Mura to be in alliance because she despised war and fighting of any kind. She signed it and handed the things back to Elric.

“Done,” said the elf, quickly sticking the parchment and quill into a bag hanging over his shoulder. “All right, let’s go then.”

“Go? Where are we going?” asked Merrow.

“The wedding,” snapped the elf, producing a book from thin air. He flipped it open. “I’m the sage and officiate at any wedding here on Mura.”

“You do?” she asked, starting to feel her heart beating faster. This was really going to happen. She was about to become Sebastian’s wife. And in doing so, she would turn human, losing her abilities of being a sea nymph forever.

“We weren’t expecting this so soon,” said Sebastian. “We haven’t even had time to prepare.”

“What is there to prepare for? Now, let’s go. I have things to do.” Elric was a very impatient man.

Persimmon stepped forward with her gazing ball in her hand. “Merrow, you look nervous. If it helps at all, I’ve seen the future in my gazing ball and the two of you are going to be very happily married.”

“You saw that? Really?” Why did Merrow’s heart ache? She wished for nothing more right now than to have her mother and sisters with her.

“Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any. What do you say, Merrow?” Sebastian took her hands in his and stared into her eyes. “Are you ready to take your vows? It is time to become my wife and queen of Macada Castle.”

A wave of intense emotions rushed through Merrow. She closed her eyes and swayed, holding on tightly to Sebastian’s arm.

“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” asked Sebastian. “I hope you aren’t having second thoughts about marrying me.”