Page 34 of Swords and Curses

"The queen didn't count on me finding my place amongst you. I'd never had a family before. I thought that if I didn't report to Ryn that they'd forget about me, and for one hundred and twenty-three years, they left us be. I hoped she would think that you'd killed me and would never return to her, that she'd forget about our bargain completely."

"The queen forgets nothing," Eli said coldly.

Nimue licked her lips nervously before she continued, "The day they came, I knew they couldn't take you, Bleddyn. They wanted Merlin, and harassing you was only to distract you long enough to kidnap him. Ryn promised no harm would come to Deryn, so I did the only thing I could think of… I hid Merlin in a tree to protect him, so that they couldn't find him."

"Protect me?" Eldon snorted. "I remember it somewhat differently."

"Remember it however you like. It is still the truth," Nimue countered. "When they realized their mission had failed, they took me to the Aos Si instead. The queen was furious that I had moved against her. As punishment, she had me tortured and then locked me in a spell, binding me to the dark cold of the lake—never drowning, never seeing, never warm, unable to move, but always conscious for centuries." Her arms twisted around herself defensively.

"How did you escape?" Eli asked, ignoring her discomfort and trauma.

"Something is happening within the Aos Si. Even under the water, I felt something shift in the very fabric of the world." Nimue frowned. "I struggled to break free. I eventually would have, but I was pulled out."

"By whom?" Eldon demanded.

"By the queen," Nimue answered. "She's furiously angry at something you did." She pointed a long finger at Rosa. "But that's not the best part… She isaging,and the Aos Si is about to see its first winter since she cast her spell."

"Why did she set you free?" Eli asked.

"She expects me to kill Rosa and steal the swords."

"I would like to see you try," Balthasar said, his voice dropping to a threatening growl.

"It's a dangerous thing to admit that you've been sent here to betray us again, Nimue. The raiders by the lake were for show?" Eli asked.

"Partly. The queen didn't think I'd suffered enough. I have no interest in betraying you, Seren Du. That's why I'm telling you what the queen plans. She is weakening and is more desperate and dangerous than ever before…" Nimue broke off, clutching at her head in pain as if every word was agony. "She took everything from me. I want to help you kill her."

"I've heard enough," Eldon growled. "Trust this information at your peril, Bleddyn. I'll not sit here and listen to any more of her lies."

"My lies! Everything I suffered was because I protected you." Nimue's voice hitched. Eldon stared at her a moment longer before throwing open the doors and disappearing.

"I'll go," Rosa said and hurried after Eldon before he escaped the grounds altogether.

Upstairs,Eli was considering what Nimue told them as she wandered about the office looking at books and paintings. Balthasar watched her uneasily. Saul shared a look with him, his brother's flirty banter held in check. Nimue was beautiful, almost too beautiful, but even Saul knew it was better to steer clear of some dangers.

Nimue stopped near the windows that overlooked the grounds and sighed, "He looks really angry."

Balthasar moved to see where she was staring. Eldon was waving his arms about, shouting as Rosa gesticulated in response.

"Can you blame him?" Balthasar asked.

Nimue twisted a lock of her hair thoughtfully, the smell of apple blossoms coming from her. "No, I can't blame him, but I wish he'd try to understand."

"Rosa will talk him down. He seems to listen to her." Balthasar watched as Eldon pushed his hands through his hair.

Rosa untangled them and held them with her own, her mouth moving urgently. Eldon lowered his head, and Rosa cupped his cheek with her palm.

"They seem very close. It's understandable. He's just as beautiful and complicated as the day I met him. I've yet to meet someone who can resist him," Nimue commented.

"It's not like that."

Nimue raised a perfect golden eyebrow. "I've never seen a woman who didn't love Merlin. You'd best keep your pretty eyes open, Balthasar Vane, for your own heart's sake."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"You're choosing to believe her?" Eldon asked, playing with a stirring spoon on Eli's workbench. He would never admit it, but he missed watching his father work and create. Eli's shirtsleeves had been pushed up to his elbows to keep them clean as he rummaged in cupboards and jars.

"I'll believe her as much as I need to. She has information useful to us. If the Autumn Queen is getting desperate, she'll come for the swords soon, before I grow too strong for her to take on," Eli replied.

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