Selkie's Song by Kimberly A Rogers

Author:Kimberly A Rogers [Rogers, Kimberly A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2018-09-10T04:00:00+00:00

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Chapter Thirteen

“How do you know she isn’t lying?”

“Pliny.”

The alchemist waved away Roi’s warning as he held Malik’s gaze. When Malik didn’t answer right away, his expression grew surly. “Oh for the love of Shaddai! You’re just going to accept her explanation now, after her father has cast her out I might add, that she lied about being a willing participant in her stranding? Why?”

“Pliny, I think maybe we should let him finish talking before we leap to any conclusions,” Roi interjected. “Before he hits you.”

Pliny glared at the other man. “Are you as mad as he is? He is holding the crown prince of Aneirin hostage at Nereida when he’s supposed to be here so he can at least pretend he wants to stay the Great Selkie. And, now, the little selkie who ran away wants to come home?” He threw his hands in the air, rolling his eyes, before flinging one hand toward Malik. “What is the point of fighting to stay the Great Selkie if he’s just going to let this little sea witch manipulate him?”

“Don’t,” Malik warned. He met the alchemist’s irate gaze and held it until the other man looked away.

“Fine. Maybe she’s not a sea witch. But she is not trustworthy! She lied to you how many times?”

“She was afraid of what the human would do to her pelt.”

“Oh and that just excuses her?”

“No.” Malik leaned forward in his chair, bracing his elbows on his knees, as he continued firmly, “But if it was your pelt that was being held and you knew the wrong step could lead a misguided human into burning it? Would you take the risk?”

Pliny scowled and finally looked away. “I like to think I wouldn’t have been stupid enough to get my pelt stolen in the first place.”

“I’m sure you would,” Roi interjected dryly. He ignored the glare that earned him and tossed a small cloth ball into the air then caught it. He tossed it up again as he murmured, “So Naia was abducted after all. Does that change things for you?”

Malik ignored the urge to throw something at his friend. Now wasn’t the time to even think about any of that. As it was, Pliny showed no patience for the change in direction either. “What does that even matter?” He turned to Malik and stated bluntly, “You cannot go back there.”

“I’ve given my word.”

“To her?”

“To King Lear and his council. If I left Nereida now with the matter of these attacks still unresolved, Lear will see it as the revoking of our treaty. I cannot revoke it now.”

“Only because you suddenly want to give the girl a chance to redeem herself,” Pliny muttered.

“I really think you should let that go, Pliny.” Roi tossed the ball in the air again, catching it as he added, “Besides, Naia was always kinder to you than you deserved.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that she lied. To everyone. She actually pretended to be surprised that her family cast her out?”

The image of Naia’s stricken expression swam before Malik.

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