The Mermaids Madness

together as he hammered a fist into his palm. “If you continue to conspire with this murderer, you will—”
    “You attacked the Phillipa without warning.” Danielle’s voice broke, thinking of the bodies they had lowered into the sea. Between the Hiladi and the undine, almost thirty people had died since they left Lorindar. James had been one of the last. Hephyra had given them all a burial at sea. Danielle could still see his pale form sinking into the water, rejoining the rest of his crew.
    She moved closer to Armand, drawing strength from his presence. “I expect you to answer for the deaths you caused. But not today. Queen Beatrice is dying, and you are preventing us from bringing her the help that could save her life. So you will either stand aside of your own will, or you will be thrown aside.”
    Armand winced, but said nothing. The guards were holding their breath, watching Varisto. Danielle could see Talia shifting her weight, lowering her body as she prepared to make good on Danielle’s threat.
    Varisto laced his fingers together, bringing his hands to his mouth as he glared fire at Danielle. He took several deep breaths before saying, “I will have the mermaid who took my brother from me. If you try to protect her—”
    “That’s enough,” said Armand. “I understand your grief, Highness. There will be time to talk later. You and your crew are welcome to stay as guests—”
    “Forgive me if I mistrust the hospitality of liars and murderers. I will stay with my ship.” With that, Varisto backed away, never taking his gaze from Danielle. “I have spent a year of my life hunting that mermaid. Do not test my patience.”
    Danielle watched him leave. “He might try to sneak his men onto the Phillipa to take Morveren. We should—”
    “I wouldn’t worry,” said Talia. “Captain Hephyra will be watching them, and I’m sure she’s just waiting for an excuse to play with the people who hurt her ship.”
    Armand took Danielle’s hand in his as they walked toward the horses. “Remind me to have Ambassador Trittibar talk to you about diplomacy. Did you really invade Hilad?”
    “Only the very edge,” said Snow. “And it was only the three of us. There was no looting or pillaging or anything like that.”
    Talia coughed and looked away. “I might have pillaged a few things.”
    “Perhaps it would be best if you don’t tell me,” said Armand.
    Danielle quickened her step. After so many days at sea, it was strange to feel solid ground beneath her feet. She had finally grown accustomed to the rocking motion of the Phillipa . “We’ll need a carriage for Snow. She’s hurt, and riding wouldn’t be good for her injuries.”
    “A horse is fine,” Snow protested. “I’ve been riding since I was five.”
    Danielle pointed to the barracks. “If you can tell me how many horses are tied there, you can ride whichever you please.”
    Snow adjusted her hat and squinted, her lips moving silently. She closed one eye, then switched to the other. “I think . . . it looks like there are . . . oh, go fondle a dragon.”
    Armand ordered one of the guards to prepare a carriage. To Snow, he said, “I’ll have Tymalous look to you as soon as we reach the palace. Will your injuries keep you from being able to help my mother?”
    Danielle glanced back at the ship. “We should arrange to have Morveren and Lannadae brought—”
    “No,” said Snow. “Varisto is right not to trust Morveren. I can help Bea without her help.”
    From the way Talia’s brow wrinkled, she didn’t like that answer any more than Danielle. They had both heard Snow express such determination before. She would do whatever she had to in order to save Beatrice . . . no matter the cost to herself.

    When they reached the chapel, they found Father Isaac trying to spoon broth into the queen’s mouth.
    The queen had never been a large woman, but this was the first time Danielle had ever thought of her as fragile. Her face was taut, the cheekbones protruding beneath sunken eyes, but it was her hands that chilled Danielle’s heart. Beatrice’s hands were clasped over her stomach. Her fingers were like interwoven sticks. The skin was dry, sagging from the bones beneath. She wore no jewelry save her wedding band, which was so loose it could have fallen off.
    A pair of silver incense burners hung on the walls to either side of the altar. The smoke was heavily perfumed, making Danielle’s eyes water.
    “Tymalous and I have been