The Mermaids Madness

away at a good pace.”
    Even as she spoke, the motion of the ship began to ease. The wind quieted, and slowly the Phillipa steadied herself in the water.
    “I knew it!” Lannadae cheered. “I knew Snow White and Cinderella would save us.”
    “Snow White and Cinderella saved us?” Talia repeated. Shaking her head, she tucked her whip away.
    A short time later, Captain Hephyra opened the door. Sunlight streamed into the map room. Water dripped from Hephyra’s clothes. Stub the cat was curled in her arms, meowing pitifully.
    “Is he all right?” Danielle asked.
    “He’s fine.” Hephyra scratched the cat’s ears. “He decided to hide out in one of the boats. By the time the storm passed, he was up to his neck in water, but he was too petrified to climb out. He’s not the brightest animal.”
    Outside, Danielle could see the crew mopping the worst of the water from the deck. Those who had recovered enough to move, at least. Some were still doubled over the railing. Experienced sailors or not, such weather was enough to twist any man’s stomach.
    “Are you expecting any more surprises on this voyage?” Hephyra asked.
    “Probably,” said Danielle.
    “I figured as much.” Hephyra wiped her face, then ran a hand over the cracked doorframe. “I’d appreciate it if you’d refrain from breaking my ship any more than you need to. It stings.”
    Danielle nodded. “So noted, Captain.”
    Hephyra turned to face the crew. “What are you lot waiting for? Bring the ship about and stand by to anchor.”
    “To anchor?” Snow repeated.
    Hephyra pointed to the front of the ship. “We’ve got rocks ahead. Any longer in that storm, and we’d have ripped the bottom out from beneath us. The Phillipa can’t sail through those waters. The rest of this journey, you make in the boat.”
    “It’s all right,” Lannadae said, crawling past Hephyra to the rail. She pulled herself up and drew a deep breath. “We’re here.”

CHAPTER 6

    L OOKING OUT OVER THE WATER, Danielle understood why Captain Hephyra didn’t dare take the Phillipa further. Rocks jutted into the air, as though the sea had flooded an ancient mountain range and only the peaks still protruded. Some were barely the size of their boat, while others were large enough to support clusters of tight-packed grasses and even trees.
    Lannadae sat at the front of the boat, her tails pressed to either side. For this journey, Hephyra had ordered the cutter lowered. This was a larger boat than the dinghy, with room for them all as well as two oarsmen and, if all went well, a second mermaid passenger. James had volunteered to row them out, along with a heavyset bearded man named Douglas. James clung to the rope ladder to hold the boat in place as Snow climbed down.
    The waves filled the air with mist. “You’re certain you know where Morveren is?” Danielle asked.
    “Morveren told us all before she left,” said Lannadae. “She said she went to live with the giants.”
    Talia stepped from the ladder into the rear of the boat, seating herself in front of Danielle. “If we’re hunting giants, I’m going to need to grab a few more weapons.”
    “There are two rocks that look like the heads of giants,” Lannadae said. “Morveren lives there.”
    James pushed them away from the Phillipa as Douglas fitted the oars into the oarlocks. Though James sat facing Lannadae, he deliberately avoided looking at her.
    “Are you all right?” Danielle asked.
    “I’m fine, Highness,” James said. “Thank you.”
    “If you prefer to stay—”
    “I said I’m fine.” He flushed, apparently remembering who he was speaking to. “I’m sorry. The last time I was this close to one of them, they were dragging me under. I thought I was about to die.” He stared out at the waves. “We had over a hundred men on the Branwyn. Why am I the one who survived, Princess?”
    Danielle searched for comfort, but what good were words to a man who had watched everyone he knew die?
    It was Talia who answered. “Asking that question is a quick path to madness. There’s no reason. You lived. Use that life.”
    James nodded and began to row. “I intend to.”
    Atop the Phillipa, Captain Hephyra leaned over the railing to shout, “I want you back here by nightfall, mermaid or no mermaid. If you spy dark clouds, turn back at once.”
    James and Douglas soon settled into a rhythm. Mist sprayed the air as the waves broke upon the rocks. Danielle could see the black shells of