The Mermaids Madness

spell work, though.”
    Danielle twisted free of Snow’s grip and studied her son. “Oh, no. He’s gotten his hands on Armand’s shoe again.”
    Jakob’s latest infatuation was with one of Armand’s shoes, a fancy thing of polished leather and velvet trim. Always the left shoe, for some reason. Jakob would gnaw it all day if he could. Unfortunately, the dye in the velvet always left Jakob with a purple-stained mouth and chin for several days afterward.
    “What is it with your family and shoes?” Talia asked, coming over to join them. “First Armand runs around half the kingdom carrying that slipper, and now your son decides to devour the things.”
    “I still want to know how he heard you.” Snow leaned over Danielle’s wrist. “Jakob? It’s Snow. Wave if you can hear me.”
    Jakob was too preoccupied trying to wedge biscuit into his right nostril.
    “Thank you for this, Snow.” Danielle touched the edge of the glass, and longing filled her chest. That should be her with Jakob, laughing and trying to get him to eat his biscuit. How many times would duty take her from her son? “Can we use it to check on Beatrice too?”
    Snow’s smile slipped. “Not with Father Isaac’s wards protecting her.”
    Danielle scratched her nose. The skin was already sensitive to the touch. Talia’s brown skin gave her some protection against the sun, but Danielle would have to find a hat for herself soon. “Has there been any sign of the undine?”
    “Nothing yet.” Talia leaned over the railing. “But they could be right behind us, and we’d never know until they decided to show themselves.”
    “That makes me feel better.” Danielle watched as Jakob’s image faded from the mirror. “What do we do if they’re just waiting for the sharks to leave?”
    Snow patted the railing. “Then we find out how tough the Phillipa really is.”
    The weather held for the rest of the day, allowing the Phillipa to continue under full sail. Danielle eventually found a moment alone to experiment with Snow’s mirror. Snow hadn’t been joking about the kind of kiss required to reach Armand. Danielle hoped she wouldn’t have to contact Armand while anyone else was around.
    He had been in the bow of his ship when Danielle reached him, and the sound of her voice made him jump so hard he bumped into the rail.
    “It’s good to hear your voice,” he said, once he had recovered from his shock.
    “And yours,” said Danielle, holding the mirror close. “Have you found anything?”
    “No sign of Lirea or her undine yet.” His voice tightened as he summarized the past day’s hunt. The storms had eased enough for him to take four ships out in search of Lirea. Two men had been found murdered on a fishing boat. Another ship had been wrecked from below while still in the harbor.
    “You can still see the top of the masts sticking out of the water,” Armand said. “They cracked her hull and left her to sink. It probably started taking on water yesterday evening. Most of the crew survived. This was meant as a warning, to make sure every man in the bay knew what could happen to him.”
    He moved closer. Danielle could see the gold chain stretching out from the mirror, circling Armand’s neck. His eyes were shadowed. He was angry, but trying not to let it show.
    “How is Beatrice?” Danielle asked.
    “Unchanged. Father Isaac and Tymalous have done all they can.”
    The cabin door opened, and Snow peeked inside. “Lannadae is asking for you.”
    “You have to go,” said Armand. “I wish I knew what it was Lirea really wanted, aside from her sister. Why would they ask for gold? The undine are migratory. Gold is heavy and clumsy to move.”
    “Maybe Morveren will be able to tell us.”
    “I hope so.” Armand managed a small smile. “Be careful, Danielle. And please thank your friend for the gift.”
    “I will.” Danielle kissed the mirror, and when she drew back, Armand’s image was gone. She held it a moment longer, then left the cabin. Snow waited outside with Lannadae, who had finally ventured out from her makeshift cave of wood and canvas.
    “We need your help,” Lannadae said, hurrying toward the bow of the ship. Danielle walked with them, trying not to stare.
    Lannadae used her arms to keep her body upright, pushing herself along with her twin tails. The motion reminded Danielle of thick snakes. Lannadae gripped the rail and pulled herself higher, studying the water.
    “I think we’re close.” Lannadae leaned