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Harry nodded. "Give me ten minutes. I’ll come back for you."

I nodded and began waiting the longest ten minutes of my life thus far.

Harry set me down in front of the council doors, and I hopped in of my own accord. My advisors showed a mixture of worry or annoyance on their features. Some were pacing. Most were talking. No one noticed my entrance until I leaped onto the table, just in front of my usual seat.

"What’s a frog doing in here?" mumbled a redcap.

I cleared my throat. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice."

"King?" Rowan asked.

I nodded. "Everyone, please sit. Time is of the essence."

Everyone scrambled to their chairs. Several were casting confused looks at me, no doubt trying to figure out why I was in frog form. There was no time. If another day came, I would answer their questions then.

Though I was not outside, I could feel the heartbeat of the island. Subtle changes were already beginning. The wind was beginning to kick up, and soon the skies would darken. I prayed Georgia was somewhere safe.

"A storm is coming," I warned. "We don’t have weeks or months to prepare. The time is now. The unseelie are making their move."

The redcap, Head of the Guard, leaned in. "You’re sure?"

"Yes, I can feel the winds rising. The skies will be black before sunfall."

"You were able to stop that hurricane before," said Remus hopefully.

I sighed. "That hurricane was a test of our defenses. This will be a full blown assault. I won’t be able to stop them this time. Not alone."

The Head of the Guard said in a gruff voice, "And who said you were alone? The redcaps are at your service. Just tell us what to do."

"More than redcaps," said Remus and Rowan together.

Other voices joined in solidarity.

Hope rose in my chest. We might lose, we might even die, but we would go out fighting.

CHAPTER 41

The Stolen Bride

The following morning I woke to angry shouts in the hallway. "Do not stand in my way! If she is here, I will see her!"

Groggily, I blinked my eyes. Was that Papa?

"Shh. Let her rest. She’ll be awake soon enough." That voice was Maggie’s.

Was this a dream? It was all so vivid. Not only could I hear their voices, but I could smell the warm sunshine of fresh linens and the scent of jasmine wafting through the windows.

I opened my eyes and took in the old, familiar surroundings.

I was home.

Outside the door, the argument was growing more heated.

I fell easily into my old routine as middle sister, peacekeeping. I sat up in bed and called out, "Come in!"

My father charged in the door like a wild boar, his eyes darting around the room until they fell on me, sitting up and yawning in my sister’s childhood bed.

The look of wide-eyed relief on his face melted my heart.