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ZULA

E very inch of Zula’s body felt as though it belonged to a most dishonorable thief. Four guards marched her inside the royal palace, where light streamed in from every angle, greenery and flowers trailed along the columns and railings, and the scent of lotus and honey made her throat ache. Walkways bathed with warm sunshine allowed a perfumed breeze to blow into the palace. In the distance was the sound of harp music and the gentle murmur of voices. It was peaceful, pleasant, not at all what Zula had expected the palace to be like.

She wished she’d had the chance to comb her frizzy hair and pick the hay out of her clothes, or at least attempt to press the wrinkles flat. Most of all, she wished she’d had a moment to bathe, to meet her judgment on her own terms instead of this way, brought in like a common thief. Her thoughts went to Neo and the rather cryptic words he’d shared with her:

I assume the queen will offer you something that will allow you to escape certain death. If she does, ask for some time to consider her offer.

Why? And why wasn’t he with her? He was the sheriff, and even regarding matters of the crown, shouldn’t he be part of the judgment? She hated that she thought of him as safe rather than an enemy, but she had to admit a begrudging respect because he’d actually captured her.

“Her Majesty, Queen Iydella.”

Zula swallowed hard, all of her confidence sinking to her toes. Without her freedom, ukulele, and blue-feathered hat, she was nothing but an ordinary woman on the wrong side of the law. Whereas the queen was illustrious.

She was an impressive woman, with waves of copper hair piled on top of her head and dark green eyes that missed nothing. While not particularly tall, she had a presence that filled up the entire room. Instead of sitting primly on a throne—as Zula imagined all members of the royal family did—the queen stood over a table, dressed in layers of ruffles, a petal-soft silk. A string of pearls hung around her neck, offset by a beautiful ruby the size of Zula’s nose.

When they entered, the queen nodded at the guards, looking each of them in the eye. “Thank you, Thune, Peter, Idan, Ethan.”

She knew their names. That was something.

The queen approached, waving a fan, and Zula wished she knew a magical spell that would make her sink into the floor.

“I’ve always wanted to meet you,” Queen Iydella began. “No need for bowing. Let’s be clear here. You’re a criminal who’s been disrespecting the laws of the land and having a laugh with it. Trust me, I’m aware of the chatter of my people. I’m sure you have a reason for why you do what we do—after all, don’t we all? But my responsibility is to keep the peace, and stealing from trolls was going too far. I will not have war on my doorstep. Do you have any idea what kind of financial crisis it would put the kingdom in? There would be soldiers to pay, food to raise, supplies to send, not to mention the havoc it would wreak on our trade routes. I’m sure you never think of the long-term effects of your thievery, but it’s the kingdom that ends up dealing with the consequences that make you famous. Which is why I have a proposal for you.”

Zula took a deep breath, her tongue tied up in her mouth. True, she hadn’t considered the long-term consequences of her actions, at least not for those she stole from, nor had she stopped to think twice about how they would affect the kingdom. But the queen was wealthy, with countless guards and personnel at her disposal. Zula doubted there was even one day that the royal family had gone hungry. Royalty could fix any problem that arose. Because the queen lived in the lap of luxury, the least she could do was give back to those who served her.

However, the retort never left Zula’s lips, because she could also imagine her head being lopped off, and she very much wanted to save her neck.

“You’re very good at what you do,” the queen continued .

Those words on anyone else’s lips would have made Zula swell up with pride, but in front of the queen, she wished she could turn into dust.

“Yes, I have paid attention. You only steal priceless relics, items seeped in ancient magic from long ago. I’ve often wondered if it’s because that’s what you collect, or if someone else is directing you.”

The queen held up her hand, so Zula swallowed down her response, mouth dry.

“You have skill with the ukulele, another magical item, or so my sources tell me. Which is why I have an offer for you. Find and steal back all the magical relics you’ve stolen over the years. Six, if I’m not mistaken. Return them here and I will be lenient with your sentencing.”

Zula stared at the queen’s shoes, willing herself to respond. “What does lenient mean? What incentive do I have to return instead of hiding?”

The queen laughed. Laughed! Zula backed away in surprise at her sudden mirth.

“I thought you might ask that very question,” the queen said .

Zula lifted her head, studying the queen’s face, a niggle of familiarity poking at her.

No. It can’t be!

Realization dawned on her half a beat before the queen started to explain.

“My son, Neo, was born a hunter. He always finds his prey, and he will always find you, no matter where you go, no matter what you do. Also helps that he’s in love with you, although let’s keep that knowledge our secret.”

A loud humming began in Zula’s mind as though she’d been struck on the head. Her ears rang, and the queen’s voice was drowned out by her own thoughts.

Neo.

Prince Neo.

That was why he looked so familiar, not because she’d seen him at a tavern or passed him on the street or knew him from a rival thief gang. No, because of course she’d seen the royal family from afar, when the crown prince was named. And it was tradition in the kingdom for the royal family to take on roles of governance. They weren’t afraid to walk among the people, to get their hands dirty, because strange magic flowed through their blood.

Out of the three royal children, each one had a specialty. One would rule, one would hunt, and one would persuade.

Neo, the sheriff, was a prince.

Zula started to shake. “He’s not in love with me,” she whispered.

“He’s my son,” the queen said matter-of-factly. “I know him better than anyone else. That’s why I’m not demanding your execution immediately. I’d hoped to meet you, wondering if you might be a young woman who was led astray a long time ago. This is your opportunity to change your ways, to choose another path. I’m not suggesting that you’d ever be good enough for my son, but I’d rather prevent heartbreak, and it is in my nature to give second chances rather than calling for death, deserved or undeserved.”

Zula pressed her lips together, throat dry. “May I have some time to consider your proposal? ”

“You have until the night of the masquerade in two days. In fact, I invite you to attend the masquerade dressed as yourself; it will be astonishing. However, know that you are not free to roam. You will be closely guarded, and if you attempt anything at all, I will revoke this proposal and consider locking you in a deep hole where you’ll never see the sunshine, even if you dig for five hundred years.”

Zula shuddered. “I will take your words under close consideration.”

“Dismissed. Guards, please escort her back.”