The Mermaids Madness

tunic which left his muscular arms bare. Gold bracelets shone at his wrists.
    The men rowed harder, pulling alongside the dock. They braced the boat as Armand reached down and helped Danielle onto solid footing. She had barely caught her balance when he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. “I’ve missed you.”
    “I missed you, too.” Danielle kissed him hard enough to earn an appreciative whistle from Snow. She pulled back, studying Armand more closely. His eyes were red and shadowed, and she could feel the tension in his neck and shoulders.
    Captain Varisto coughed. “Princess Whiteshore.”
    “Prince Varisto.” Danielle drew herself up the way Beatrice had taught her and did her best to match Varisto’s formal tone. “Welcome to Lorindar. Thank you for not firing on us this time.”
    He merely bowed his head. “Your husband tells me Queen Beatrice is in dire health. My sympathies.”
    “Thank you,” said Danielle. “When Lirea attacked—”
    Varisto held up his hand. “Please consider your words carefully, Highness. I have no quarrel with you personally, but if you insult my sister, I’ll be forced to take offense.”
    “Your sister?” Snow stood on her toes and studied his neck. “I don’t see any gills.”
    “When my brother married Lirea, she became my sister by Hiladi law.” He turned back to Armand. “Much to the dismay of my parents, I’m afraid. For months I kept his secret, but after his murder, I had no choice. Only my mother’s intervention stopped Father from striking Gustan’s name from the imperial histories.”
    Snow folded her arms. “He never—”
    “We were told Lirea and Gustan never wed,” Danielle interrupted. “That your brother merely used Lirea.”
    His face darkened, and he started toward Danielle. “My brother was a good man.”
    Talia moved between them and folded her arms, almost as if she wanted him to attack. Armand cleared his throat, and the guards stepped closer.
    Varisto visibly composed himself, then turned to stare at the Phillipa . “I was there when Lirea saved my brother’s life. She swam through the night, holding him against her. The journey would have exhausted even the strongest undine, but Lirea was determined. I remember the infatuation on her face, the way her gaze lingered on him as he stumbled onto shore. She was such an innocent girl, full of joy. I . . . worried that Gustan might take advantage of such love. My brother had his share of conquests, the more exotic the better. But you’ve seen how the wind obeys Lirea’s wishes?”
    “The air spirits, yes.” Danielle looked upward. The sky was clouded, but the malevolence of Lirea’s winds was gone. “We’re familiar with them.”
    “Those spirits have served my family for generations. My family and no other. No mermaid could command them unless she was joined to that family.” He was still watching the ship. “For the past year I’ve tried to find a way to reach Morveren. I couldn’t protect my brother, but I vowed to see his murderer punished.”
    “You know Morveren was responsible for Gustan’s death?” Danielle asked.
    “I know Lirea’s sisters were no more pleased with her love for a human than my family would have been. I know they conspired with Morveren to end that relationship, and that it was Morveren who used her magic to force Lirea to kill my brother.” He sighed and turned back to face Danielle, stepping just close enough to make her aware of his greater size and strength. “Lirea would see her sisters dead for that betrayal, but I won’t ask for Lannadae. Just give me Morveren.”
    Armand spoke up for the first time,his voice hard.“That sounds suspiciously like a demand, Your Highness.”
    Varisto bowed slightly. “No offense was intended, Prince Armand. But I must point out that it was your wife who invaded Hiladi waters and attempted to murder my sister. Were my father to learn of this, he would be far more . . . demanding . . . than I.”
    Now it was Snow’s turn to stare at Varisto. “The northern coast of Hilad is a wasteland. How would you know about any invasion?”
    Varisto’s lips pressed into a tight smile.
    Danielle put a hand on Snow’s shoulder. “Our queen is dying, Prince Varisto. Morveren’s knowledge might save her life. I will not sacrifice Beatrice so that you can have your revenge. Now please step aside.”
    “Yet you delayed your return in order to invade my country and attack my sister?” His bracelets rang