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“Let’s go get our hero’s welcome.”

Paige grinned as she set off toward the palace. “And our bark.”

“Damn right,” Dewey said with a pat on her head.

They closed the distance, marching to the palace. Two guards flanked a drawbridge entrance. They crossed their axes, stopping Paige’s progress.

“Halt. Who goes there?”

“Paige Turner and Dewey Decimael. We’ve retrieved the water from the Pool of Yearning for Prince…eh, for the prince.”

The guards exchanged a glance before they pulled the axes back and pounded on the door. A chain rattled as the drawbridge lowered. Paige smiled and nodded at them as she trod across the wood and entered the courtyard.

She wound around the pathway that climbed to the castle above. “Whew, why didn’t the stupid book put us right at the castle entrance? This hill’s a killer.”

Dewey shrugged. “I’m doing okay.”

“Very funny,” Paige panted out as they reached the massive doors leading into the palace.

Paige banged against the door.

A knight stepped out through a smaller side door, eyeing them.

“Hi there. Paige Turner and Dewey Decimael. Here in the service of the prince. We retrieved the water from the Pool of Yearning for him.”

The knight whipped his face mask up and stared at her, an incredulous expression on his face. “You have the water?”

“I do,” Paige replied with a nod. “Could we see the prince and give it to him? We’re in a big hurry.”

The knight stared at them for a breath before answering. “Of course, follow me.”

The armor-clad man ushered them into the large entrance hall. He clanked ahead of them, leading them to a large room with thrones perched on a raised platform. An older man and woman sat in the high-backed chairs, crowns perched on their heads.

The knight strode forward before dropping to one knee in front of them, a hand clutched to his chest. “My king, may I present Paige Turner and her loyal servant, Dewey Decimael.”

“Loyal servant?” Dewey questioned.

“Shh,” Paige said, waving a hand at him.

The older man puckered his lips and narrowed his eyes at them.

“Miss Turner claims to have water from the Pool of Yearning for His Highness, Prince Henry.”

The king’s knuckles tightened on the throne’s decorative arms. He snapped a finger at a robed man standing near him. “Call for Henry at once.”

“Yes, my liege,” the man said, his cassock flying behind him as he raced from the room.

“Come closer, girl,” the king said to Paige.

“Girl? Is he serious?” Paige whispered with a wrinkled nose.

“Shh,” Dewey answered, waving a paw at her.

Paige narrowed her eyes and shook her head at him before she stepped forward.

The king leaned over, squinting at her. “How do you come to be within my kingdom?”

“Ah, well, it’s a long story. But the important part is we ran into your son in the forest, and he told us he needed the water. And we got it.” Paige pulled the vial from her pocket and waved it in the air.