Page 5

Chapter Five

I follow King Willard up another flight of stairs. I slip my hand into my pocket and feel Kai’s cold little hand touch mine in what I assume to be a comforting gesture. I feel nauseous and want nothing more than to put my head between my knees and breathe to steady myself as adrenaline bursts through my veins. I’m walking through the castle with the king and his personal guard. I can only hope that he’s actually taking me to Kai’s room and not somewhere to lock me away forever.

“Tell me what you know of this orb and why it is dangerous.” King Willard stops and faces me.

My breath hitches. He’s only two steps away, and I can feel the captain behind me. I’m trapped. “What makes you think—”

“I saw your expression change when I said golden orb. What is its significance? Why did you seem surprised?”

I lick my lips and glance back at Captain Bath.

“He won’t divulge your secrets. Tell me.” The king’s voice is commanding.

“I don’t have secrets.” I face him again. “I have heard of golden orbs. When you said it was enchanted, a golden ball, and that it turned him into a frog...” I draw in a shaking breath. “I heard stories when I was a child. There are stories the villagers share as a warning,” I start delicately. I know King Willard’s disdain for magic in general, so I don’t know how well he will take the legend. “What do you know of...fairies?”

His eyes darken. “They are dangerous.” He knows more. We fought a war against them years ago. But I won’t press him.

I rub my arm for comfort. “The villagers who live closest to the woods tell stories to their children to keep them safe. They describe how fairies lure people, especially children, into a ring of toadstools with a golden ball.”

He watches me in silent scrutiny.

I continue, “Because fairy rings are portals into the fairy realm. Once you step through, the fairies never let you out. It’s possible this orb may be one in the same. Have you seen a fairy recently?” I know it’s risky to ask, because it’s none of my business if he has, but if he doesn’t know Genoa is a fairy, then she’s using magic to hide her real identity.

King Willard looks at me with brows knitted. His gaze travels down and back up, searching for the lie he won’t see. He finally mutters, “They’ve been bound away. I haven’t seen one since Kaison was born.” He reaches out to the door on his right and opens it, then gestures mutely.

I could really use a glass of water. Or an escape plan.

Genoa is definitely a fairy, and no one in the castle knows.

I enter the bedroom. The walls are painted pale blue, and morning light spills in through sheer white curtains. It’s nearly large enough to fit my entire cottage, with a stone fireplace, sitting area with a couch and chair, two wardrobes, and a large bed. I raise my brow at the stack of ten mattresses on top. Didn’t Kai say something about fifty mattresses? He must have been exaggerating, but was Princess Genoa insane? I couldn’t sleep on a bed that soft—or unsteady, for that matter.

In scanning the room, I notice no golden orb, but crouch beside the bed so I can discreetly reach into my pouch to pull Acorn out to help me search beneath the bed. He eagerly crawls across the rug, pausing a moment because Kai takes the opportunity to leap out of my pocket.

I stifle the urge to yell at him. If he gets us caught, I’m blaming him for everything.

Acorn waits for Kai to hop over. “Let me do the talking, Prince. I only sound like squeaking to the humans. They know they’re missing a frog, so we’re in trouble if you croak.”

They disappear under the bed.

“What more do you know of the golden orb? Or fairies?” King Willard asks.

“Not much, I’m afraid.” I look up at the king and shimmy on my knees to look behind the nightstand. “They’re incredibly beautiful and have the power to disguise themselves as human, and one hasn’t been seen in decades.” I raise my brows to hint to him that the woman who is now Kai’s wife is the creature I have just described. I don’t know yet if perhaps the king is aware of Genoa being a fairy and is going along with it.

The king doesn’t hint that he’s caught on, but it could all be a guise.

“It’s under here!” Acorn says. “And it’s definitely enchanted, because it’s glowing.”

I walk around to the opposite side of the bed and get on my hands and knees to bend over. This allows me to talk without the king seeing me.

Acorn’s little eyes briefly reflect the light I discern coming from the palm-size ball wedged in the corner against the wall.

“Don’t tell them we found it,” Kai whispers.

Acorn walks back and forth, sniffing around it. “I’m already an animal. Maybe I can become human if I touch it. Be prepared to drag me out from under here!”

“No!” I shout.

He places both tiny hands on the surface of the ball and...nothing happens.

I exhale in relief.

The captain quickly appears from behind the bed. “Is everything all right?”

“It’s my hedgehog,” I reply. “He’s fine. Just stubborn.”

He arches a brow and studies me.

I crouch down again and reach under the bed to grab the ball, but Kai leaps and lands on top of it first. Again, nothing happens. But his weight causes the ball to roll, and just before it makes contact with my hand, I feel a powerful and cold energy radiating from it so intensely I can feel it ache through my hand and into my arm.

I recoil before the gold can make contact with my skin. The orange light coming from it reveals tiny etching that must be in the language of the fairies. They could be fairy runes, as runes are particular to different races and I can’t read them.

I quickly reach into my pocket and remove a handkerchief, which is little more than a faded yellow piece of fabric. Luckily, the ball is close enough that I can reach under the bed and grab it with the fabric. I pull it out from beneath the bed just as King Willard steps around the side of the bed.

Holding it in direct sunlight, the markings and glow disappear.

I turn to the king. “I found it. It’s more than a gold artifact, though. I can feel its magic.”

King Willard raises his eyebrow. “You’re good at lying.”

My teeth clench. “Tell me again how I could benefit from turning the prince into a frog?”

“Your little rally.”

I push off the floor to stand. “First of all, I don’t know an enchantment to transform anyone into another living being, because enchantments are meant for good. Curses do bad. Second, cursing Prince Kaison would do nothing to help my cause because you would only become more upset with me for turning him. I’m not a fool.”

King Willard studies the orb, then me. “You truly believe this to be an artifact of the fairies?”

“There are runes I cannot read. You could have your royal sorcerer examine it. Oh—you don’t have one.”

“Watch it, little witch.”

I bite my lip. It wasn’t on purpose. Not entirely. “My apologies. I was being genuine. I forgot he’s no longer here. But the university isn’t far!”

He looks down his nose at me. “You don’t think you’re smart enough to figure it out? That is ironic, don’t you think? That you might have to visit the very place you despise to help my son?”

“Why do I have to do it?”

He leans closer so I can feel his breath. “You have to fix what you did wrong. Besides, if this is a fairy relic as you claim, you must have the most experience with them.”

“How is that?”

“You live near the woods.” He nods as if he’s decided something. “You must know a lot more about fairies than you are telling me. Either you’re on their side, or you cursed him to serve your own purpose. You’ll find Kaison, break the spell, and return him to me.”

“What?” I cannot help but say in shock. How can he think I’m in cahoots with fairies? And that I would do this to my best friend?

“Do you want your mother out of prison?”

“You’ll let her go?” I hesitate to ask.

He shrugs and straightens. “If you bring Kaison back, as a human, yes.”

I gnaw on my lip. “If your son was cursed by them, there must be a reason. What if something bad happens?”

“Then all I lose is you.” He doesn’t hide the curl of his sneer. “You want to prove that you’re just as useful as a trained witch, don’t you? That magic users don’t actually need training and education? Now is your chance. And you’re fighting me?”

“It just seems that you’re lying to me. This deal feels too good to be true.”

“Your feelings are irrelevant.” Before I have a chance to respond, he has opened the door to leave.

The captain clears his throat softly and says, “Sir, do you think it’s wise to entrust such a big task to... her ?”

“I agree with him.” I bend over to grab Acorn and Kai and shove them both in my pouch.

Acorn huffs. “Kai is too soft for my prickles!”

“No,” King Willard answers. “Not alone.” He looks at the captain before exiting the room.

“You made a mess for yourself,” the guard mumbles.

I glare at him. “Clam up.” I follow the king.

“This is a bad idea,” Acorn says. He’s always pessimistic, but I can’t help but agree with him this time. This feels like it was set up for me to fail so the king can arrest me and lock me away too. “You can turn around. Jump out the window. This is ground level. Look! There’s an open window right there!”

“Acorn!” I scold. “What good would it do?”

He squeaks back in frustration and nips at my finger before retreating under the flap.

“You really speak with animals?” the whiskered man asks.

I glance over my shoulder at him. “Do you think I’m only speaking to myself?”

He shrugs. “You’re a witch.”

I roll my eyes.

We enter the throne room with me now awkwardly holding the wrapped golden ball in both hands. The energy it radiates vibrates with a cold tingle. Sort of like when your fingers get too cold from being in the snow and you come inside and they start to wake.

The queen’s face finally gains some life when she sees me and what I carry. “You found it?” She actually smiles.

Princess Genoa’s eyes snap to me and her pupils dilate. No. She’s not looking at me, but at the orb.

If I point out to the king that she’s a fairy and this is hers, what will happen? He hated fairies long ago. I cannot believe he is willingly on her side. So what would the fairy want with Kai being a frog? An overwhelming rush tingles through my joints and I hear something warn that there is no one else Kai can trust but me. If I give this ball to the fairy, she can accomplish her task. If I take it to the university and ask someone else to figure this out, chances are they would see my inadequacies, take him, and ask me to go home. I will have to pretend I don’t care what happens to him.

I hold the ball a little closer and then silently slip it into my pouch.

King Willard takes the hands of his wife. “Elowyn will find Kaison and return him to us.”

“Oh?” She blinks and looks over at me.

“Yes, in exchange for her mother’s freedom.”

I grip the strap of my bag. “And he will grant us immunity against the law requiring testing and allow us to live our lives without fines or punishment.”

The king slowly raises an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything to counter.

Genoa’s lips tighten.

“And one more thing,” I add.

“More?” King Willard’s voice grits.

“I refuse to be the only one looking for Kai. You must also send out your soldiers because I will not accept any guilt if we cannot find him. I am only one person and cannot cover the entire kingdom.”

King Willard snorts a laugh. “Why would you search for him at all with an arrangement like that? Where is the guarantee you will find him and not just find somewhere in the woods to hide for a month?”

“I told you that you should have run when you had the chance,” Acorn grumbles.

I pat my pocket, essentially bopping him on the rear end, silencing him.

He grunts before burrowing deep—and I assume facing his prickles out toward me for good measure. “He has a point.”

I shake my head. “I have everything to lose if I can’t help Kai.”

The king slides his arm around his wife, lips tight. “Then you have until the autumn comes.”

I nod. My stomach churns.

“And Captain Bath will accompany you.” King Willard sits.

I glance at the fool with the mustache.

He bows to our king. “If that is what you wish, sire. I will need to gather my supplies before we leave.”

I raise my hands. “I do not need a royal escort.”

“Think of it as my own assurance you’ll fulfil your end of the deal,” King Willard says.

I flash him a respectful smile, curtsey stiffly, and turn to face the soldier. “Then I shall see you in a couple of hours,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Can’t wait.” He meets me with just as much enthusiasm.

I drop my smile, turn, and exit the throne room, then the castle, and storm down the road.

With no one around, Kai finally speaks. “This is going to be more difficult than I thought. Did you feel that Genoa is up to something?”

“Yes,” I say a bit more firmly than intended. “She wouldn’t stop staring at the orb when I came in with it, and she is definitely a fairy.” I look down at him to see he is poking his head out of the pouch. “You didn’t notice anything when you married her?”

He sighs. “I don’t...I don’t know. I saw a glow, but I thought it was just because she’s beautiful.”

“She’s got a glamour.” I run my hand over my face. “I still don’t understand why I couldn’t just hand you over to them right there.”

“Is that what you really want? You can give me to Garrett when he arrives. I trust him.”

“No. I need to help you.” I sigh and slowly let out a growl to release my frustration until the tightness in my chest loosens. “Wait, the mustache man’s first name is Garrett?”

Kai nods.

I lick my lips. “We won’t go to the university. We need to find the fairies. One of them is bound to know how to help.”

“Feel better?” Acorn asks.

“A little.”

Kai clears his throat. “Then I guess we just find a fairy ring?”

I kick a rock. “Easy for you to say. And now we have a stupid guard to take with us. Did you see the mustache? It looks like he has a caterpillar stuck under his nose!”

Kaison laughs.

I even get a little squeak from Acorn.