The Selkie Scandal by Rosalie Oaks

Author:Rosalie Oaks [Oaks, Rosalie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780645027884
Publisher: Parkerville Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

No tea was forthcoming. Costo took objection to Beresford’s aloof air and insisted the earl and Seraphine be restrained. Threatening to harm Seraphine was enough to gain Beresford’s co-operation, though she told him to flee. Both Jaq and Beresford had to watch as Seraphine, shrieking, was overcome by Orrow and Fenner and tied to the same rock in the inner cave. This time, their wrists, as well as their ankles, were bound.

Jaq watched proceedings, sick to his stomach. He tried to talk reason to Costo, telling him matters had gone too far. But the merman was intractable. “I want those guineas,” he said. “And failing that, I want to cause a ruckus no one will forget. Two royals make wonderful gambling chips, to my mind. Who knows what I could achieve?”

Jaq swallowed, aware that Seraphine was watching with fire in her eyes.

The mermen secured their bonds, then left the three alone in the cave, with only the glow-worms to light their faces.

“What do you think Costo meant by that last comment?” hissed Seraphine.

Jaq chewed on his lower lip. “Possibly he wants to negotiate changes to the treaties,” he suggested carefully.

The earl spoke up, sandwiched between two naked royals. “It won’t come to that,” he said. “And at least I have my clothes on. I only wish the same could be said of you two. Your Majesties,” he added, in a somewhat ironic tone.

“I am comfortable enough,” said Jaq nonchalantly. “Selkies don’t feel the cold.”

Beresford would be feeling it, Jaq knew. Humans were so frail. But the earl did not complain or shiver. Yet.

Seraphine was still angry. “I can’t believe you played such a trick, Jaq. You put us in this position! The whole kingdom is sick with worry, and you were just playing a prank! And now Costo has both of us.”

Jaq pressed his lips together. He didn’t want to believe that Costo would harm either of them. Yet he had seen a glint in the merman’s eye that was unsettling: too cold, even for a fisheye.

Beresford spoke calmly. “It is concerning. Let us turn our minds to how to escape.”

“I like your optimism,” said Seraphine gloomily. “We are stuck. Even if we untie these ropes, those cursed mermen will be guarding the outer cave.”

Jaq heaved a sigh. “I am sure Mother will find us before it turns nasty. You were stupid to bring a human into it, Seraphine. You and I can last here a lot longer than him.”

“Don’t call me stupid!” snapped Seraphine. “Anyway, we can’t even take seal form with these ropes around us. We will suffer as well, stuck in human shape.”

It was true, though not as much as Lord Beresford. Better not to dwell on it. “How did you find me?” asked Jaq.

“We went to the merlagoon,” replied Beresford. “One of the mermaids said you would be with Costo.”

“Which mermaid was that?”

“Ethel. The pale, green-haired one,” said Seraphine. “Green with envy, I might add. She doesn’t like you having Costo’s attention. And she implied Costo had some dastardly game afoot.

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