Free The Sheik and the Siren (Elemental Series) by Elizabeth Rose Page B

certainly is. It was Ebba’s father’s castle before he got killed.”
    “Who killed him?” Boots asked. “An island wildcat or perhaps a wolf? After all, it looks to me there may be a few wild animals here that I’ve never even heard of.”
    “N ay. Ebba said it was a sheik. And that he’s also abducted her mother.”
    “A sheik? Ace, doesn ’t she hate you then as well? ’Tis no secret where you come from with your bronzed skin and dark hair.”
    “I’m not sure. Not yet. But I think she can learn to trust me in time. Af ter all, I am nothing like the Sheik of Tamaris.”
    “I hope not. After all, your own sheik father ordered you executed.”
    “He is not my father,” said Ace. “And I warn you not to say anything about that in front of Ebba.”
    “No, of course not,” he said. “After all, we wouldn’t want her to hate you and ruin your chances of bedding her now, would we?”
    “’Tis so much more than that now, Boots. I actually care for these people as well as Ebba-Tyne. It’s strange, I know, but somehow I feel as if I belong on this island of misfits. I’ve never really felt comfortable anywhere before, but here – I do.”
    “Well, I hope you’re making the right decision by staying , Captain. After all, I’d hate to think you’ve just given up everything for something that may not work out in the end.”
    “ ’Twill work out, I assure you. After all, everything is going so well, so how could it be any different?”
     
    Ebba found herself being escorted to the solar by Juturna who wouldn’t take no for an answer. The old woman all but pushed her into the room and closed the door behind her.
    “Now,” said Juturna, walking into the room and spying the unmade bed. “Tell me all about you and Ace. It looks as if you’ve already spent the night together, so I’m guessing everything is fine between you.”
    “I barely know him,” said Ebba, wrapping her arms around herself in a protective manner. “There is nothing between us, and of course I didn’t spend the night with him. He slept here and I spent the night in the water where I belong.”
    “What?” Juturna made a face and shook her head. “I’ve seen the way you two were looking at each other, so how can you tell me there is nothing between you?”
    “I am a siren and he is man. A man who pushed his way into my life and has now taken over my castle as well. So tell me, why should I even care about him?”
    Juturna put down her bag and began to investigate the room. “You are a fae, child. I know the sexual prowess of a fae as well as the effects they have on a human man.”
    “I can control myself,” she said with a stiff upper lip.”
    “But can he?” she asked, looking over the top of the lid as she peered inside the trunk at the foot of the bed.
    “He’s had his moments,” Ebba admitted, going to look out the window. “But I made sure it didn’t go anywhere at all.”
    Juturna slammed down the lid of the trunk and sat atop it. Then she motioned for Ebba to join her.
    “I’d rather stand,” Ebba said, not warming up to the woman at all.
    “Well, if you won’t sit next to me than at least sit in the chair so I can brush your hair.” She held up a boar bristle brush with an ivory handle that used to be her mother’s.
    “Where’d you find that?” she asked. “That’s Mother’s.”
    “’T was in the trunk,” she said pulling a chair up to Ebba. “Now sit already and let me use it on your hair, because it looks to me as if you haven’t brushed it in forever.”
    Ebba hesitated and then bit her lip. She wanted to warm up to the old woman, but she felt as if she were trying to take the place of her mother, and she couldn’t allow it.
    “Where is your mother anyway, child?”
    “My mother . . . my mother has been abduct ed and taken over seas over a year ago. And my father is dead by the hand of the same man.”
    “Sit, and tell me about it. I have a feeling you need someone to talk