Page 69 of Entangled

Twenty

Sebastian stood looking out to sea over the sidewall of his ship, The Thunderbolt. A fitting name since Nereus could very well show up at any minute and start throwing lightning bolts at him again. It hadn’t taken even an hour to get the news back from Elric that the gods and goddesses of Mura would not help Merrow with her request.

Sebastian’s new alliance members which included all of the Blackseed brothers, Stone, and all their wives, as well as the fae queen, Alaina, were with him at his request. Merrow and her mother were there too, as well as Elric, Farrimond, Hitch, and Sebastian’s crew.

Hitch walked up next to him. “My king,” he said, still yawning since he’d never had any real time to sleep yet. “Tell me again. Why are we sailing out to sea? And with so many of our enemies?”

“They’re not our enemies anymore and don’t forget it,” Sebastian warned him. “Everyone aboard this ship is now our ally.”

“However, that might change soon.” Elric sped over and climbed atop the sidewall to sit down. “As soon as you foolishly try to conjure up the sea god, that is.”

“Who? What?” Hitch’s head moved back and forth as he looked to Sebastian and then Elric, standing between them both.

“I’ll explain.” Merrow came over to join them. “The gods of Mura won’t help me because they are afraid if they do, my father will be angry and start a war.”

“That is why she should just go right back through the portal and take all these blasted sea nymphs with her.” Elric glared down into the water and made a face at Merrow’s sisters who were swimming alongside them. So many of her sisters were still there, waiting for her to make her decision on whether she was going to stay and marry Sebastian, or come home with them.

“I’m not going anywhere, Elric,” said Merrow, slipping her hand into Sebastian’s. “I only came to bid farewell to my mother and sisters.”

“Then you’re really going to marry the oaf?” asked Elric, shaking his head.

“Yes, I’m going to marry Sebastian, and he’s not an oaf,” she said, smiling up at Sebastian. “I’m already carrying his baby and we will raise our child together.” Her hand covered her belly.

“As a human?” asked Hitch.

“Yes, that’s right,” Merrow answered.

“Nay, that’s wrong.” Sebastian released her hand and stood up straighter.

“What do you mean?” asked Merrow. “You no longer want to marry me?”

“Of course, I do. But I won’t let you give up being an undine just to be my wife. I know how much it means to you.”

“We don’t have a choice,” said Merrow. “Not if we want to be married, and not just live together while raising our child.”

“There is one more thing we can try, and I intend to do so right now.” Sebastian looked over to his captain. “Owaine, drop anchor right here.”

“You’re dropping anchor to let them off the boat, right?” asked Elric.

“Nay. I have another plan, and I only pray that it works.”

“What are you going to do, Sebastian?” asked Merrow with concern in her eyes.

“Summon your father, Merrow,” he told her, feeling nervous but knowing this was something he needed to do.

“What?” Elric, Hitch and Merrow said at the same time.

“Nay, don’t do that, my lord,” said Hitch. “It was hard enough trying to get rid of him the last time he was here.”

“He has to open the portal anyway. Now call him,” Sebastian instructed.

“My brother can open the portal,” said Merrow, shaking her head. “I agree with the others that it is a bad idea to summon my father.”

“I need him here because I am going to personally ask him to grant your request to marry me but to also stay a sea nymph.”

“Really? You’d do that for me?” asked Merrow, a blush staining her cheeks.

“Of course, I would. I love you, sweetheart and I want you to be happy.”