Page 49 of Apples Dipped in Gold

“He isn’t lying,” said Cardic. “He fell in love at first sight.”

“Why would he…not tell me?” I asked, but whatI really wondered was why he would almost kiss me beneath the elfin hill. Why had he spoken of admiration while he carried me to Cardic’s kingdom so I could sleep in a soft bed?

“Because he is embarrassed,” said the prince.

Well, that made two of us.

“Who is she? This woman he loves. Is she truly an enchantress?”

“None of us know,” said Cardic. “But he has loved her for the last seven years.”

I sat quietly as pressure built behind my eyes. I realized it was ridiculous. I had not known Lore for long, but he had been kind, and I was so alone, I’d let him stir up feelings inside me that I should have kept locked away. This was just another reminder that no one would ever love me—and how could they? As my brothers had often said, I was nothing.

“Eat, beast,” said Cardic. “I know you are hungry.”

But I did not feel so hungry now.

“Do you know much about the wishing tree?” I asked.

“I know as much as anyone,” he said.

“Can more than one wish be made?”

“If you can manage to pluck another apple from the tree,” said Cardic.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“They say it is guarded by a fierce raven with silver claws and a beak as sharp as a blade.”

“Did Lore know this?” I asked.

“I imagine he did,” said Cardic. “We all know it.”

Except me. I wondered when he was going to tell me. More, I wondered what he expected of me whenwe reached the wishing tree. He had made it sound as simple as picking an apple. Now, that did not seem to be the case.

“Oh dear,” said Cardic.

I shifted my gaze to his.

“Have I hurt your feelings, beast?” he asked.

“I do not think you care whether you have hurt my feelings or not,” I said. “Much like your brother.”

“That is quite a rude assumption,” said Cardic.

I held his gaze. “Then tell me it is a lie,” I challenged.

The prince narrowed his eyes, though a smile played on his lips.

“I see you have learned some things during your time in Fairyland,” he said.

“Not enough,” I said. I should have known to guard my heart against the fae.

“Well, this is quite cozy,” Lore said from behind me.

I did not turn to look at him but gritted my teeth at the sound of his voice.

“You look terrible,” said Cardic.