《The Wild Swans (Timeless Fairy Tales #2)》


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    The Wild Swans (Timeless Fairy Tales, #2)


    K.M. SheaAdvertisement


    Chapter 1


    ¡°One of your underlings made a mistake, Dewdrop. The royal fields yielded a higher income in wheat than what is recorded.¡±


    The use of a sardonic nickname and the know-it-all tone Falk adopted as he stabbed his finger at the recorded accounts set Elise on edge.


    ¡°You are correct, brother. However, the recorded number is the gross profit. The number is derived after paying the farmers, subtracting the cost of seed, and so on. Also, I¡¯m afraid if there is a mistake in the agricultural accounts, you have me to blame as I was the only member of the Treasury Department to work on them,¡± Elise said.


    As if she would inflict Falk on any of her subordinates. Hah!


    Falk leaned back in his chair. ¡°I am not your brother, Sweetling.¡±


    ¡°I apologize, Prince Falk,¡± Elise said as she fixed a smile on her face, wished Falk would go away, and forced her head down so she could continue copy-editing the Gold Army accounts.


    Elise loved her job as head of the Treasury Department. She loved numbers and finances. They always behaved as expected, and if something was wrong, the mistake could be traced. Furthermore, her position spoke volumes of the trust King Henrik placed in her. He might not love her enough to adopt her¡ªonly to claim her as the royal family¡¯s foster child¡ªbut he had so much faith in her that he charged her with building and distributing Arcainia¡¯s wealth.


    However, on the days Prince Falk, one of her foster brothers, chose to visit her office to discuss the Agriculture Department¡¯s accounts, Elise wished King Henrik had trusted someone else with the task.


    ¡°How long did it take you to complete the Agriculture Department¡¯s audit?¡± Falk asked, turning a page.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say I took note of it. May I inquire why the length of time would make a difference?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry your pretty, little head, Fawn. I was only attempting to make polite conversation.¡±


    Elise very much doubted this, but she let the matter go. ¡°Of course.¡±


    One of Elise¡¯s secretaries stood in the open doorway and tapped on the wall to announce her presence ¡°F¨¹rstin,¡± she said, drawing Elise¡¯s attention. For some reason beyond her understanding, Elise¡¯s subordinates went through extraordinary efforts to use old titles of nobility whenever one of her foster brothers was around. Elise¡¯s title of F¨¹rstin was commonly translated to princess, but beyond signifying she was a child of royalty, it also meant she was the head of her family. As the royal family hadn¡¯t adopted her, this meant she outranked all but her eldest foster brother, the crown prince.


    ¡°F¨¹rstin,¡± the secretary repeated. ¡°The Kronprinz is¡ª,¡±


    ¡°I can announce myself, thank you. Elise, that bloated pig has gone too far. Hello, Falk,¡± Steffen, the crown prince, said as he edged his way into Elise¡¯s office.


    Elise folded her hands in her lap. ¡°Who is a bloated pig?¡±


    Steffen ran a hand through his hair, mussing it. The gesture gave away his frustration. Typically Steffen looked as perfect as the portrait of him that hung in the main gallery. Every piece of his blonde hair was always settled in place; his uniform was never crooked; and his eyes crinkled with the slight, perpetual smile he constantly wore. Now, his eyes were uncharacteristically narrowed as he snapped, ¡°The prince of Loire.¡±


    ¡°Which prince?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°The legitimate one. His father has asked us to give you over in marriage to that empty-headed buffoon.¡±


    ¡°F¨¹rstin,¡± the secretary, who still hovered at the doorway, said. ¡°Would you like me to call for refreshments?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please. Thank you, Gretta,¡± Elise said, rearranging her papers.


    The secretary bobbed a curtsey and disappeared from view.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you offended?¡± Steffen asked, striking Elise¡¯s desk with a rolled up paper.


    ¡°The buffoon to which you are referring is the heir to the throne of a country that is three to four times as large as our beloved Arcainia. No, I cannot say I am the least bit offended,¡± Elise said.


    Falk, the stark opposite of his brother in resemblance and temperament, raised his eyebrows and said nothing.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you even surprised?¡± Steffen asked.

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    ¡°From whom the offer originates, yes. As far as Loire knows, we are nothing but a small, powerless neighbor. It is unanticipated that Loire¡¯s King would choose Prince Lucien¡¯s bride¡ªthe future queen of Loire¡ªto come from such a place,¡± Elise said, making a tally mark on some parchment. ¡°Not to mention you hired an assassin guild to kill one of the princes. Even though the plan failed, they must know we financed the attempt. If they do not have proof right now, I imagine they will shortly¡ªthose Rangers the Loire princes play around with are just as good as Mikk¡¯s sneaks.¡±


    ¡°But that is all that surprises you? I was shocked to receive the offer at all,¡± Steffen said, looking around for a chair. He stared at Falk, who was sitting in the only free chair in the room, perched near Elise.Advertisement


    Falk stared back at Steffen and made a shooing motion.


    Steffen rolled his eyes and found a chair under a precariously balanced stack of books, which he set on the ground before making himself comfortable.


    Elise cleared her throat after the interchange was over. ¡°You think I am unmarriageable, Steffen? Or do you doubt anyone would want to marry the foster daughter of the King of Arcainia?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not it at all. You¡¯re a princess all the way through,¡± Steffen said, his lips reforming into the usual smile. ¡°I merely think it is a little early for you to marry.¡±


    Elise went back to her accounts. ¡°I am 18, nearly 19. It is the right age for suitors to express interest,¡± she said, copying down numbers.


    ¡°You are ready to be married, then?¡±


    ¡°It is not so much that I am ready, but more that I cannot avoid the duty much longer. I have told Father as much.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve spoken to Father about marriage?¡± Falk asked, straightening up in his chair.


    ¡°Briefly. I told him I would never forgive him if he married me off to someone poor.¡±


    Steffen stared. ¡°Why? You are not one to demand luxuries.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. But the north wall of the castle needs repairing, and it¡¯s going to be costly. My suitor could pay for it as the bride price,¡± Elise said, dipping her quill into an inkwell of tar black ink. She paused. ¡°Loire is a very rich country.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°No,¡± Falk repeated.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already sent a refusal. It¡¯s probably a ploy. Some of Mikk¡¯s undercover men heard more rumors of Prince Lucien¡¯s warmongering. He¡¯s still set on coming after us,¡± Steffen continued.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°And what?¡±


    ¡°So what was the purpose of storming my office to inform me of this development? Since you have already sent a refusal on my behalf, I don¡¯t have much to do with the matter,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I wanted someone to complain to,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Gabrielle wouldn¡¯t hear you out?¡± Falk asked, referring to Steffen¡¯s wife, Princess Gabrielle.


    ¡°Gabi is gone for the day, and she took her dratted cat with her. Good riddance,¡± Steffen said. ¡°So you would seriously consider marriage? Not to the Loire Pig Prince of course, but to a suitable candidate?¡±


    Elise was spared from replying as her secretary, Gretta, arrived with the tea.


    ¡°Your refreshments, F¨¹rstin,¡± Gretta said, setting a tray laden with a three-person tea set and various treats on an end table another secretary brought in.


    ¡°Thank you, Gretta,¡± Elise smiled.


    The secretary gave Elise a dimpled smile before she left.


    ¡°Well?¡± Steffen asked.


    Elise stood and set about serving tea, pouring it with elegance and poise. ¡°I am a princess, Steffen. It is my duty as a member of this family¡ªfoster child or not¡ªto marry for the betterment of our country. I have never shrunk away from my duties before, and I do not intend to start doing so now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s our Perfect Princess,¡± Steffen said, repeating the court¡¯s pet name for Elise.


    ¡°If you say so. Tea?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you. So, do you have anyone in mind for marriage?¡± Steffen asked.


    Elise paused. ¡°Perhaps,¡± she said, deliberately looking to her the door of her office. It opened into the Treasury Department¡¯s headquarters, and directly across the hall from the Treasury Department was the Commerce Department. Mertein¡ªthe young noble who was casually courting her¡ªworked there.


    ¡°Hm. Should have guessed. I must be going; I have a somewhat urgent correspondence I must see to,¡± Steffen said as he rocked to his feet. ¡°But you two enjoy.¡±


    ¡°Were you pleasant when you refused the Loire Crown Prince?¡± Falk asked as he took the tea cup Elise offered him.


    ¡°Goodness, no,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Excellent,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Be careful when playing with Loire, Steffen. That second prince is dangerous,¡± Elise said, pouring a cup of tea for herself.


    ¡°Prince Severin? He¡¯s not a beast anymore, did you hear? He went off and fell in love with a merchant¡¯s daughter. Broke the curse right off him.¡±


    ¡°Yes that¡¯s why he¡¯s even more dangerous now.¡±


    ¡°I agree. Take care, sister.¡±


    ¡°You as well, brother,¡± Elise watched Steffen leave with a fond smile. He was the only member of the royal family who had encouraged her from the day she was taken in as a foster child to refer to him as brother.


    She loved him for his acceptance.


    ¡°I believe I found another error in my department¡¯s accounts, Dove.¡±


    Elise steeled herself to keep a grimace off her face. Steffen¡¯s acceptance was more than she could say for some of her other foster brothers.

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    ¡°Yes, Falk. Where is it?¡±


    ¡°Here. We grew several acres more of alfalfa hay than what is recorded. I apologize, but it might take me more than one day to finish inspecting these numbers.¡±Advertisement


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°I will have to intrude upon you while I do so, of course. The Treasury Department records things differently than we do in the Agriculture Department.¡±


    That would be just her luck. Elise bit her tongue to keep from snarling. ¡°Of course,¡± she pleasantly said.


    Two weeks later, Elise walked with her subordinates to the dining hall.


    ¡°Princess, would you look at the Carabas accounts after lunch? The master craftsman submitted their bid for the shipyard docks. I¡¯m not certain they used the right dimensions, based on their estimates,¡± one bookkeeper asked.


    ¡°I would be happy to, Fritz. Thank you for so carefully recording the bids,¡± Elise said, tightening the red ribbon that held her unruly mess of curly, brown hair back in a ponytail.


    ¡°It¡¯s my honor,¡± Fritz said. ¡°Thank you, Princess.¡±


    ¡°Lisel, did the last payment for the college¡¯s new astronomy lab clear the daily treasury?¡± Elise asked, craning her neck to look for the red-haired accountant in the herd of scholars that surrounded her.


    ¡°It did. It will dry the daily treasury for a time, but since we paid off our debts, we will no longer owe compounding interest. I suspect we¡¯ll recover in a matter of weeks,¡± the accountant said, popping out in front of Elise.


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Elise said as her employees stopped at the dining hall entrance. ¡°With that our¡ªYeek!¡± Elise squealed when someone grabbed her from behind and swept her into the air.


    ¡°Working too much as usual, Elise?¡± Elise¡¯s captor chuckled, still holding her aloft.


    ¡°Rune,¡± Elise said, throwing her arms around the handsome man¡¯s shoulders. ¡°You¡¯re back!¡±


    ¡°Yes. Steffen finally stopped handing out assignments and let me come home,¡± Rune said, tucking an arm behind Elise¡¯s knees, so the black skirts of her work uniform cascaded from his hands.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Prince Rune,¡± Elise¡¯s underlings chorused.


    Rune gave the staff his most charming smile. ¡°Good afternoon, Treasury Department. Do you mind if I steal your chief for this meal?¡±


    ¡°Of course not,¡± they said, bobbing in curtseys and bows before they took their leave. ¡°Enjoy your lunch, F¨¹rstin, Prinz.¡±


    ¡°You are still the number one idol and Treasury Department darling?¡± Rune asked, watching the scholars enter the dining hall.


    ¡°They value my mental calculation abilities. Could you put me down?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°As you wish,¡± Rune said, setting Elise on her feet.


    Elise fussed with her uniform¡ªa simple but elegant black dress with white sleeves and gold trim¡ªbefore she fixed the red sash that crossed her chest and cinched around her waist, signifying her position as the Treasury Department head.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you. I didn¡¯t know Steffen called you home,¡± Elise said, checking her low ponytail before smiling at her foster brother.


    ¡°It was rather sudden. He had something important he wanted to discuss with me,¡± Rune said.


    Elise frowned. ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing for you to worry about,¡± Rune said with another one of his dazzling smiles.


    ¡°Ah, hero work.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    As the middle child of seven brothers, and all of them deeply involved in Arcainia¡¯s government, Rune was hailed as the heroic brother. He fit the image with his gold hair and dreamy hazel eyes. As Steffen liked to say, ¡°You were made to be fawned over, so put your pretty face to good use and raise the public¡¯s opinion of us!¡±


    ¡°How did your adventuring go?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Well enough. I trounced the ogre that set up camp in GlassGlow Forest, killed a sea serpent that was hindering restoration efforts at Carabas, took care of a chimera, and drove a few mountain hags back into Loire,¡± Rune said, offering his arm.


    ¡°I heard about the sea serpent. You did tidy work, from what I was told,¡± Elise said, tucking her hand in Rune¡¯s elbow before they entered the busy dining hall.


    Breakfast and lunch at Castle Brandis, the Arcainian palace, was a public affair. Soldiers, governmental staff members, servants, and nobility ate together in a massive dining hall that buzzed with conversation and gossip.


    The tradition was scorned by some of the high-brow countries Arcainia shared borders with, like pompous Loire, but for a country as small as Arcainia, it provided an easy way of exchanging information and forming inter-department friendships.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure ¡®tidy¡¯ is the correct way to describe how I handled the situation. I killed a male sea serpent, but I am almost positive it had a mate. We can only hope they didn¡¯t have hatchinglings,¡± Rune frowned.

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    ¡°Will you go out adventuring again, or are you here for the remainder of winter?¡± Elise asked as they strolled through the noisy hall.


    ¡°It depends on Steffen. I hope he will let me stay, but he may not have a choice if more monsters arrive,¡± Rune said.Advertisement


    ¡°It seems like you have quelled more creatures and magical disturbances in the past few years than usual. You used to be able to spend all of winter with us in Castle Brandis,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°It is partially because Father and Steffen trust me enough to know I won¡¯t break my neck, so they are able to send me out on more difficult missions that used to require the army. But there is some truth to your observations. There has been an increase in violent-minded creatures invading our borders,¡± Rune said. ¡°I do not believe we are the only country encountering this phenomenon.¡±


    ¡°Have we sent word to the Veneno Conclave? As the rulers and regulators of all magic users and magic itself, I imagine they would have something to say about this subject,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I requested that Steffen would do so. He gave the task to Erick¡ªhe has contacts with several enchanters and enchantresses,¡± Rune said, referring to one of his brothers.


    ¡°I see,¡± Elise said when they stopped at an empty table. She saw Mertein, who waved to her with a dimpled smile, sitting several tables away. Elise returned the smile and wave. She would have done more, but Rune interrupted her thoughts.


    ¡°We need to discuss Baron Ludwig von Drebkau,¡± Rune said, pulling out a chair for Elise before he seated himself.


    ¡°So you stopped by his manor then? What did he have to say for himself?¡± Elise asked, shifting all of her attention to Rune. She had spent months watching Baron Drebkau¡¯s tax reports and comparing them with his public claims. They hadn¡¯t matched up, which was usually a sign of illegal activities.


    ¡°He was illegally importing luxury goods and selling them in the black market, as well as evading taxes by lying about his income. He has been corrected,¡± Rune said. When he shifted, the sword strapped to his belt clanked ominously. ¡°Is there anyone else you need me to speak to?¡±


    In addition to serving as the public relations poster child, Rune was also something of a one-man secret police. He investigated and reprimanded persons of interest, occasionally with the aid of one of his older brothers depending on the suspected crime. Mostly he worked for Elise, helping her keep Arcainia¡¯s nobles in line and investigating their claims when Elise could not.


    ¡°None. I¡¯ve spent the past month going over the Defense Department¡¯s budget and expenses, but I haven¡¯t gotten very far,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Are Mikk and Nick avoiding you?¡±


    ¡°No¡ªworse. Falk is being obstinate over several items in the Agriculture Department¡¯s estimated budget,¡± Elise sighed. She smiled at the serving maid who started loading food onto the table.


    ¡°Falk is all bark. Tell him to accept your suggestions, or you¡¯ll cut department funding,¡± Rune suggested. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, giving the maid a dazzling smile.


    The serving maid set the last of the food and drinks on the table and bobbed a curtsey before she left, unaffected by Rune¡¯s good looks.


    ¡°I can tell he is getting irritated with our meetings as well,¡± Elise said, spearing a sausage.


    ¡°Falk? How?¡±


    ¡°His tone is increasingly sarcastic, and he¡¯s dropping nicknames like flower petals. Sugar Plum, Filly, Moonbeam, Ray of Sun. I have a theory. The more ridiculous they are, the more irritated he is,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I am sorry you feel that he is annoyed by you,¡± Rune said, helping himself to a portion of salted fish.


    ¡°There isn¡¯t much either of us can do about the situation. But let us talk of more pleasant things,¡± Elise suggested.


    ¡°Where is Father? Doesn¡¯t he usually eat with everyone?¡± Rune asked, nodding at the royal table where King Henrik usually ate with his councilors. Instead, a smiling Prince Steffen was seated in his place.


    Elise sipped a mug of hot cider. ¡°He¡¯s been going out a lot the past few weeks.¡±


    ¡°Going out? Going out where? It¡¯s the middle of winter. We had snow last week,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°I am not entirely certain. I talked to him about it once¡ªit¡¯s not good for him to miss so many lunches¡ªbut he said he likes going to the forest to think,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Does he take a guard with him at least?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe so.¡±


    ¡°Is that so,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°He may simply miss Mother,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Mother has been dead for several years, and he has never done this before.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but she died in winter. He may be trying to escape his memories of her death,¡± Elise said.

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    Queen Ingrid had passed away suddenly due to a fast onset sickness about three years ago. The entire country was devastated; Queen Ingrid was beloved by all. But King Henrik took it particularly hard. For a while, the royal family wasn¡¯t sure he would outlive Ingrid because he pined for her like a swan after it loses its mate. But with time and much love from his children, King Henrik returned to his joyful self.


    ¡°If that is the case, I cannot fault him. I can hardly point fingers for staunch loyalty in love,¡± Rune said.Advertisement


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Elise said as a maid set a tray of apple fritters down.


    ¡°Gads, how I have missed eating in Brandis,¡± Rune said, twitching a hot fritter off the tray.


    ¡°And we are ever so glad you have returned. Welcome home, Rune.¡±


    Rune licked sugar off his fingers. ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m happy to be back,¡± he said, his words adorned by a dangerously charming smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure the ladies of the court are especially glad,¡± Elise said with the princess smile she reserved for state affairs. ¡°There is a ball tonight, you know.¡±


    Rune winced. ¡°Oh. What ill timing. I think I may have to make spontaneous inspections of the army barracks with Mikk and Nick.¡±


    ¡°That is unfortunate. I was looking forward to dancing with you,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°For you, My Lady, I would slay a dozen sea serpents or, even worse, attend a party.¡±


    ¡°How very heroic of you.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. If you wish it, I shall brave the ballroom tonight, but only if you allow me to be your escort.¡±


    ¡°It is very sad, but I must respectfully decline. Father still insists on being my escort. You could always ask him.¡±


    ¡°I could, but he is fiercely protective of the honor. I doubt I would succeed,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°I think he uses me to keep the eligible ladies and widows away,¡± Elise said, helping herself to a fritter.


    ¡°It would be the smart thing to do.¡±


    ¡°But will you come tonight anyway?¡±


    ¡°Will any of my brothers be there?¡±


    ¡°Gerhart will for certain, and Steffen of course. Falk usually comes to this sort of thing, but I don¡¯t think Erick will. He is still at the university, and he would have arrived by now if he meant to attend. As for Mikk and Nick, no one can pretend to predict what they will do,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°And you will attend,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Naturally. It is one of my duties,¡± Elise said before she bit into her fritter. She closed her eyes in ecstasy when she bit through the crunchy, sugared exterior.


    ¡°Naturally,¡± Rune echoed before he brushed sugar off Elise¡¯s cheek with a finger.


    ¡°So you will come?¡±


    ¡°I will come.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Rune.¡±


    ¡°My pleasure, Elise.¡±


    ¡°Your country is so quaint, Princess. I dearly enjoy your state events; they are so charming in their modesty.¡±


    ¡°You are too kind, Ambassador Orazio,¡± Elise said, her smile pasted in place. She had to be kind to Orazio. He was from Sole, one of the few countries Arcainia did not loan money to or ship many supplies and exports to. They were allied only through political maneuvering, which meant a misspoken word could bring the relationship crashing down.


    ¡°In Sole, a royal ball would so fill the royal palace, normal government activities would be halted for a week,¡± Orazio continued, lifting his prominent nose into the air like the sail of a boat.


    ¡°How inconvenient. Although I suppose you must miss it?¡± Elise said, feigning sympathy. Ambassador Orazio was a fussy, opinionated man. Elise did not enjoy speaking to him, but it was in Arcainia¡¯s best interests to see that he was properly entertained.


    Orazio stroked his greasy goatee. ¡°The food, the colors, the brilliance of Sole cannot be imitated. However, Arcainia is a pleasant post¡ªalthough I must confess I do not understand your obsession with work uniforms,¡± he said, watching three secretaries from the Commerce Department walk past. Their department affiliation was clearly indicated by the black bands they wore on their arms over their party clothes.


    ¡°For a country as small as Arcainia, the uniforms provide an easy method of organization and wordless communication,¡± Elise said, her hand lingering on the red sash tied around the waist of her white dress.


    ¡°If you say so, Princess,¡± Orazio said, taking a goblet of wine from a serving maid. ¡°I find your lack of class distinction¡­ refreshing,¡± Orazio said, placing the pause to make it clear he found it anything but. ¡°In Sole, hardly any sort of royal ball would allow government employees to attend.¡±


    If the royals are anything like you, it¡¯s no wonder, Elise wryly thought.


    ¡°Another symptom of our small country, I suppose. Our government subordinates have much to do with the running of the country, so we feel it is appropriate to welcome them into occasions of celebration,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I see,¡± Orazio said.


    ¡°If you will pardon us, Ambassador Orazio. Could you spare Elise for a few minutes?¡±

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    Orazio and Elise turned to face Rune, who spoke the request, and Falk.


    Standing side by side, the brothers made a stark contrast. Rune was bright with his glimmering gold hair, hazel eyes, and charming smile. Falk, on the other hand, had hair that was the dark shade of goldenrod¡ªthe darkest out of any of the true children of King Henrik and Queen Ingrid¡ªand brown eyes that were the color of darkly stained wood. Rune was more relaxed; his jaw line, lips, and posture were curved like a soft smile. With Falk, everything from his hair to the distinct frown of his lips were jagged.Advertisement


    Orazio bowed. ¡°Of course. Prince Rune, Prince Falk,¡± he said, his voice cool.


    Elise blessed Orazio with one last portrait smile. ¡°If you will excuse me, Ambassador,¡± she said before she slipped away, a foster brother on either side.


    Once they were far enough away, Elise let her shoulders droop. ¡°Thank you for the timely rescue.¡±


    ¡°You looked like you were contemplating murder, Pearl,¡± Falk said, as blunt as ever.


    ¡°You force yourself to speak to Orazio too much. He is as likeable as a skunk. You do not have to act as his personal host,¡± Rune said, ignoring Falk¡¯s observation.


    ¡°But I do,¡± Elise sighed. ¡°Orazio cannot abide Steffen, so Steffen asked me to keep an eye on him and converse with him in his place. Speaking of Steffen, where is he?¡±


    ¡°Smoozing the Loire ambassador with Gabi,¡± Falk said, nodding his head at the royal pair.


    Steffen and Gabrielle made a beautiful couple¡ªall smiles and good will¡ªas they conversed with the Loire ambassador.


    ¡°They¡¯re good,¡± Elise said. ¡°Looking at them one would never realized we barely avoided a war just a few days ago when the Loire ambassador revealed they obtained the contract Steffen made with the Verglas Assassin¡¯s Guild.¡±


    ¡°Sloppy work that was,¡± Falk grunted.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t as close as one would think. I spoke to Mikk before the ball,¡± Rune said. ¡°According to one of his sneaks, Prince Severin finally put his foot down and told Crown Prince Lucien he wouldn¡¯t let him declare war on us. Plus the contract was for an attempt on Prince Severin¡¯s life. If the guild, and Steffen, was serious, Prince Severin would be dead.¡±


    ¡°Thank heaven for large miracles,¡± Elise sighed.


    ¡°We could have survived,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Yes, but we would have pulled in every favor and debt we¡¯ve accumulated over the past decade,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Either way, war has been deflected. With luck, our countries will remain allies, but for now it is better to focus on more important things,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Such as?¡± Falk asked, one of his eyebrows slanted in disbelief.


    ¡°The present, of course. Elise, you look beautiful tonight,¡± Rune said, taking Elise¡¯s gloved hand and kissing her palm.


    ¡°Thank you. Based on court opinion, this goes without saying, but both of you look very dashing and handsome as well,¡± Elise said, watching with amusement as several nearby noble ladies giggled and looked in their direction.


    ¡°Hmph,¡± Falk said, directing his gaze away from the girls.


    Rune, however, smiled and inclined his head at the ladies, making them giggle louder.


    ¡°Prince Rune?¡± a female garbed in a palace guard uniform said after approaching Elise and her foster brothers.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Rune said.


    The guard removed her helmet and bowed.


    ¡°Good evening, Captain Meier,¡± Rune said after identifying the guard.


    ¡°Good evening Prince Rune, Prince Falk, and Princess Elise,¡± the guard said, her greeting started warm, but her tone was chilled by the time she greeted Elise.


    ¡°Good evening, Brida,¡± Elise said, familiar with the prickly warrior. She was a captain in the palace guard and was often assigned to guard Elise or Gabrielle as a result of her gender and Steffen¡¯s overactive imagination. She seemed to get along fine with Elise¡¯s family, but she was cold to Elise.


    ¡°How can we help you?¡± Rune said.


    Brida bowed again. ¡°I was speaking to Prince Nickolas. He expressed a wish to see you. I offered to fetch you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to say it, but Nick must do without me. I have just rescued Elise from the clutches of a smug man, and I will not so easily surrender her company,¡± Rune said, playfully smiling at Elise.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine; I see Mertein with some of the Commerce Department staff. I would like to speak to him,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I bet you would,¡± Falk muttered.


    ¡°Elise, you cannot mean to drop me so soon after I saved you,¡± Rune said, his hazel eyes wide and sincere.


    ¡°I do,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I see how it is. You use me as your hero, and when you have no need of me, you dump me,¡± Rune sighed, winking at an heiress who dawdled nearby.


    ¡°You found me out,¡± Elise said, motioning at Mertein when she caught his eye to come closer.

 Page 7

    ¡°Very well. You may leave. Just this once though,¡± Rune said as Mertein approached them. ¡°I won¡¯t let you go running off with men much longer,¡± he said, leaning over to kiss her forehead.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been out in the woods too long,¡± Elise said, taking a step towards Mertein. ¡°But I thank you all the same for the rescue¡ªyou and Falk both.¡±Advertisement


    Falk bowed. ¡°Always,¡± he said before stalking off, ignoring a pretty girl who tried to get his attention.


    ¡°Prince Rune,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°Fine, fine. Where is Nick?¡± Rune asked, turning away as Elise and Mertein clasped hands.


    ¡°Good evening, F¨¹rstin,¡± Mertein said, bowing over Elise¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Good evening, Mertein. I hope I did not pull you away from anything important?¡± Elise asked.


    Mertein shook his head. ¡°Just work discussion.¡±


    ¡°Good. Please pardon my rudeness, but I wanted to dance with you,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°There is nothing to pardon. I am happy to talk to and dance with you,¡± Mertein said with a boyish smile.


    ¡°How have you been?¡± Elise asked as the young man led her to the mass of swirling dancers.


    ¡°Quite well, thank you,¡± Mertein said. ¡°My department is busy preparing for the opening of Carabas Harbor, but it is very exciting. And how are you?¡±


    ¡°As well as can be expected. I enjoy parties and feasts, but sometimes I feel they are more trouble than they are worth,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°But that cannot be so,¡± Mertein said with wide, innocent eyes. ¡°Everyone is such great company; the food is outstanding, and it is hard to otherwise find a suitable location in which to dance.¡±


    Elise smiled at Mertein¡¯s earnest statements. ¡°Everything you say is true. So, let us enjoy our dance,¡± she said as they slipped into place among the dancers.


    ¡°Absolutely, Princess,¡± Mertein said. ¡°I am glad I have convinced you.¡±


    Elise refrained from correcting the sweet boy. Later in the evening, she would have to attend to Ambassador Orazio¡ªa situation thorny enough to make the most enjoyable events sour. But Mertein¡¯s good humor was one of the things Elise liked about him. His good countenance would make marriage pleasant if King Henrik did not find a more suitable candidate.


    ¡°Father. Father,¡± Elise said, trying to get King Henrik¡¯s attention with no such luck. The King was seated in a chair behind his desk, staring vacantly at papers.


    ¡°Father,¡± Elise said, dropping a thick stack of reports on his desk, making a loud smack.


    ¡°I beg your pardon, who¡ª? Elise. H-hello, darling,¡± King Henrik said, shaking his head as if to clear it. ¡°You startled me, child.¡±


    ¡°I apologize. I knocked before I entered,¡± Elise said.


    King Henrik smiled. ¡°I must have been deep in thought. How can I help you, daughter?¡±


    ¡°I have the finance reports you requested,¡± Elise said, sliding the stack of papers across the desk.


    ¡°Wonderful. Thank you for your swift work,¡± King Henrik said as he flipped through the top few pages of the report with shaking fingers.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome. Father, are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± King Henrik said, looking up at Elise.


    ¡°Are you feeling alright?¡± Elise repeated.


    ¡°Of course. Why wouldn¡¯t I be?¡±


    ¡°You merely seem a little preoccupied,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Nonsense. I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just fine¡­,¡± King Henrik trailed off as he paged through the report.


    ¡°Father?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Did you need anything more?¡±


    ¡°No, child. This is all for the moment. Thank you, Elise. Run along, now.¡±


    Elise retreated to the door of the king¡¯s private study. She studied her foster father as the normally attentive man flipped through the financial reports, scattering other papers to the floor.


    It was odd behavior for man who was usually just as fastidious and dutiful as Elise.


    Elise flattened her lips before she left the king¡¯s study. If the behavior persisted, she would mention it to her brothers.


    Chapter 2


    ¡°It is a shame you have to leave so soon after your arrival. You haven¡¯t been home for a full month,¡± Elise said, leaning against a stairway banister.


    ¡°I know, but it was my mistake not to hunt down the female sea serpent as well. Carabas cannot afford to have a sea monster plaguing its harbor when we aim to open it for business in spring,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°I know,¡± Elise said. ¡°I shall miss you.¡±


    Rune smiled playfully¡ªa gesture that normally made women swoon. ¡°I shall miss you more,¡± he said.


    ¡°Take care, and be safe,¡± Elise said, stepping closer to smooth a crease in his over shirt.


    Rune was dressed in his usual hero garb of black breeches and boots with a black, fitted tunic trimmed in gold. ¡°I will do my best,¡± Rune said, hefting his sword.


    ¡°What-ho, my sweet little family?¡± called one of two similar men who approached the staircase. They were big and broad shouldered, built like twin bulls. They were nearly identical, except one of the men had a crooked nose that looked like it had gotten smashed a couple dozen times.


    ¡°Greetings, Nick and Mikk. I am leaving,¡± Rune said.

 Page 8

    ¡°What? Already?¡± Nick, the younger twin yelped.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. A sea serpent is lurking around Carabas¡¯ harbor,¡± Elise said.Advertisement


    ¡°Again? Weren¡¯t you dispatched to off one out there earlier this season?¡± Nick asked.


    ¡°I was. This one was its mate,¡± Rune said.


    Nick tisked. ¡°Shame on you, little brother. And here I thought we raised you better than to miss monsters. That¡¯s sloppy work. Aren¡¯t you disappointed too, Mikk?¡±


    Mikk, the older, more serious, and less talkative of the twins, ignored Nick. ¡°Will you return after killing it?¡±


    ¡°I plan to stay at Carabas for a few days. I mean to make sure there were no hatchinglings. Is there something you want me to look into?¡± Rune asked.


    ¡°No,¡± Mikk said.


    ¡°Have you two talked to Father recently?¡± Nick asked, folding his arms across his massive chest.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Did he seem a little odd?¡± Nick asked.


    ¡°What do you mean by odd?¡± Rune asked.


    ¡°Acting out of character, staring blankly into space, being easily distracted, things like that. Right, Mikk?¡± Nick said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Mikk said, a stony frown etched on his lips as he stared Elise down.


    Elise resisted the urge to squirm under Mikk¡¯s rocky stare. She never felt that Mikk disliked her, as Falk and Gerhart seemed to, but she suspected she did not measure up to his expectations, and he seemed to vaguely disapprove of her. Whenever she was with him, there was an extra layer of pressure in the air.


    ¡°Perhaps, yes,¡± Elise said. ¡°The past few times I have spoken to him, he has been distracted. I usually have to make a loud noise to get his attention.¡±


    ¡°You think something is wrong?¡± Rune asked.


    ¡°We¡¯re not certain. Our line of business tends to breed paranoia, but it¡¯s always best to be on your toes,¡± Nick said, tapping his broken nose.


    Elise and the royal siblings grimly stared at each other, but the seriousness of the moment was broken by a peal of tittering laughter that echoed up the stairwell.


    ¡°You wound me, My Lady, with your laughter. I am serious!¡±


    ¡°But you cannot be.¡±


    ¡°But I am. I would positively perish if not for seeing your bright smile every day, Lady Meinhilde.¡±


    ¡°Prince Gerhart, you are too charming!¡±


    ¡°Please, call me Hart.¡±


    The male flirt was the youngest of the royal siblings, Prince Gerhart. He was an angel-faced teenager with curly hair and deceptively innocent eyes. He pushed and peddled his charms as part of his training for his future with the Foreign Affairs Department.


    ¡°Prince Gerhart, I could never take such liberties.¡±


    ¡°Even when I beg you to? I would be delighted to hear my nickname uttered by such sweet lips.¡±


    Elise shook her head as Mikk¡¯s lips flattened in great disapproval. Nick, however, took action. He leaned over the banister and called in a loud yodel, ¡°Gerhie! There you are, you naughty boy. Come up and wish your big brother Rune goodbye. He¡¯s leaving, you know. Gerhie! Why won¡¯t you look at me?¡±


    Elise and Rune stifled laughter as they watched their younger brother¡¯s expression change from sophistication to mortification.


    Gerhart bowed and made an excuse to his female companion before bounding up the stairs, taking them two at a time. ¡°Was that necessary?¡± he snarled.


    ¡°Of course it was, Gerhie. You wouldn¡¯t want to miss saying farewell to your dashing, heroic brother. Would you?¡± Nick asked, batting his eyelashes¡ªa ridiculous gesture given his girth and size.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me Gerhie!¡± Gerhart said.


    ¡°Temper, temper. If you don¡¯t learn to control your emotions, you¡¯ll never be as popular with the ladies as Rune is,¡± Nick said.


    Gerhart plunged his hands into his thick hair as if he wanted to pull it out of his scalp. He jumped when Rune placed a hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°Take care, Gerhart.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re really leaving then?¡± Gerhart asked.


    ¡°I am.¡±


    ¡°Good. I¡¯ll return to being number one in the social scene,¡± Gerhart nodded.


    ¡°Only if the black horse doesn¡¯t rear his head,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°Falk is antisocial. He has admirers, but I am liked by all,¡± Gerhart said, puffing up his chest.


    ¡°True, you and the Perfect Princess are the court darlings,¡± Nick said, ruffling Gerhart¡¯s hair.


    ¡°Get off! And I am certainly above Elise¡¯s level of popularity,¡± Gerhart said, disdain dripping from his words.


    ¡°Spoiled brat,¡± Mikk said.


    ¡°Am not,¡± Gerhart said, folding his arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m off. I need to leave or I won¡¯t make it to Carabas by dark. Brothers, take care. Elise, don¡¯t overwork yourself,¡± Rune said, hugging Elise.


    ¡°Goodbye, Rune,¡± Elise and her foster brothers chorused as Rune trotted down the stairs, heading for the entrance of Castle Brandis where his horse waited.


    ¡°That was touching. So, who is up for a round of cards?¡± Nick asked.

 Page 9

    ¡°I must return to my office and finish copy-editing the Black Army¡¯s accounts. Aren¡¯t you supposed to be making inspections today, Nick?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Rats. Fine. Let¡¯s go terrorize some recruits, Mikk. What-ho!¡± Nick said before leaving as abruptly as he arrived, his twin moving in his shadow.Advertisement


    ¡°Do you have plans for the afternoon, Hart?¡± Elise asked.


    Gerhart tipped his chin up. ¡°Hmph,¡± he said, a high pitched noise exhaled from his nose. He turned on his heels and went back down the stairs.


    Elise sighed as she watched the young prince go before she smoothed the black skirts of her work uniform and set out as well.


    Elise was last to arrive to the royal family dinner some weeks later¡ªor the second to last, as it were. ¡°Where is Father?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Dunno,¡± Nick said.


    Princess Gabrielle, Steffen¡¯s beautiful wife, further explained. ¡°Good evening, Elise. King Henrik should be along shortly. He sent a note ahead of him; he is bringing a guest.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Elise said, heading for her usual chair between Nick and Falk. When sitting by age, as the Arcainia Royalty tended to do for formal occasions, Elise sat between Falk and Gerhart. However, the youngest prince gave Elise dirty looks and would ignore her for the duration of the meal if she tried to sit near him at a time when it was not required.


    As Steffen and Gabrielle were seated next to the King, Elise usually chose to sit with her friendliest brother, Nick, when Rune or her remaining foster brother, the intellectually minded Erick, were not present.


    ¡°Hey there, Perfect Princess. Sit on down and join in the fun,¡± Nick said, pushing Elise¡¯s chair out for her.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Does anyone know who this mysterious guest is?¡± Nick asked, turning back to his siblings once Elise was seated.


    ¡°I have not heard of any visiting dignitaries,¡± Falk said, rubbing a lock of his stick straight hair between his fingers.


    ¡°No one new has entered Castle Brandis,¡± Mikk said.


    ¡°Father hasn¡¯t been meeting specifically with any family of nobility,¡± Gerhart said. ¡°No one¡¯s been trying to squirrel their way into our good graces either¡ªwell, no more so than usual.¡±


    ¡°It seems odd that he would invite a guest to a family dinner,¡± Princess Gabrielle said.


    ¡°If his counselors are going to join us, he tells us several days in advance. This was very sudden,¡± Steffen said.


    Nick nudged Elise. ¡°Has he said anything to you, Elise? After Steffen and Gabi you see him the most.¡±


    Elise shook her head. ¡°For the past week, he has spoken little with me, except¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± Mikk said, leaning forward so he could peer past his twin and stamp Elise with one of his heavy gazes.


    ¡°He has taken a sudden interest in Arcainia¡¯s gross income and wealth,¡± Elise said.


    Gerhart snorted. ¡°He¡¯s King. It¡¯s not odd that he should be concerned with his country¡¯s finances.¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course. But he¡¯s requested a number of reports. He wants to know on a daily basis what the accumulated wealth is. Previously, he would ask for estimates. Now he wants specifics,¡± Elise said.


    Mikk tapped the table with a spoon as he thought.


    ¡°Perhaps it is time that we more closely watch Father,¡± Steffen said.


    Nick nodded, looking like Mikk in his seriousness.


    Before any of the other siblings could respond, the doors banged open, and King Henrik entered the private dining room with a tall, regal woman.


    ¡°Children, allow me to introduce you to Lady Clotilde,¡± King Henrik said, approaching the table.


    Elise and her foster siblings stood, inclining their heads in deference to their father.


    Elise studied Lady Clotilde under her eyelashes. The woman was almost as tall as most of Elise¡¯s foster brothers. Her shoulders were wide, but she walked with an air of self-assurance few ladies of Arcainia could muster. Although she was King Henrik¡¯s guest, she wasn¡¯t more than a year or two older than Steffen. She was fair haired and had light blue eyes that were almost colorless. She was pleasing to look at, but she gave off the same sort of sharp beauty as a crow or a bird of prey.


    King Henrik smiled widely as he escorted his companion to the table, seating her in the empty seat next to his.


    ¡°Lady Clotilde, may I introduce you to my children: Kronprinz Steffen and his wife Prinzessin Gabrielle, Prinz Mikkael, Prinz Nickolas, Prinz Falk, Prinz Gerhart, and F¨¹rstin Elise,¡± King Henrik said before he too sat.


    The introduction bothered Elise. Whenever King Henrik introduced his family he usually waxed poetry over them for a bit and called them by their first name. Never before had King Henrik introduced her in an informal occasion as F¨¹rstin.

 Page 10

    The twins exchanged a sort of secret glance between them, and although Steffen and Gabrielle wore their usual serene expressions, Elise was certain they exchanged some sort of signal because they did not look at each other.


    Elise looked to Falk, whose eyebrows lowered over his piercing brown eyes. Gerhart was unsettled. Elise knew this because he did not ooze charm and instead sipped wine from a goblet, hiding his lower face as he studied his father¡¯s companion.Advertisement


    ¡°It is our pleasure to meet you, Lady Clotilde,¡± Gabrielle said, speaking on behalf of the king¡¯s shocked children.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Lady Clotilde said with a deep, throaty voice. She spared Elise and her foster siblings a glance but focused most of her attention on King Henrik, Steffen, and Gabrielle. ¡°I am delighted to be here.¡±


    ¡°I met Lady Clotilde in the woods not far from Brandis. She lives there in a charming house,¡± King Henrik volunteered. ¡°I have visited her many times during these winter months. She has become a dear companion.¡±


    ¡°You are too kind, My Lord,¡± Lady Clotilde said as the servants started bringing in trays of food and setting them down on the table.


    Elise and her family immediately began helping themselves to the food, selecting sliced apples, stewed carrots, parsnips, and cuts of beef and pork.


    Only Lady Clotilde did not reach for a dish or food of any sort. Instead, she frowned. ¡°Why do the servants not serve you?¡±


    ¡°Why should they? We¡¯ve got perfectly capable arms,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°We generally dine with informality. Times of serving are restricted only to dinners involving politics, visiting monarchs, and matters of the country,¡± King Henrik said, patting Lady Clotilde¡¯s arm.


    ¡°You should change that. It¡¯s not proper,¡± Lady Clotilde said.


    ¡°If you wish, my dear; you may change it later.¡± King Henrik said.


    Falk straightened up. ¡°I beg your pardon?¡±


    ¡°Ahh, yes. That brings me to the news I wish to share with all of you. I have asked Lady Clotilde to marry me, and she has consented,¡± King Henrik said.


    Elise choked on her apple slice; Nick spewed out the mouthful of beer he was in the process of drinking, and Mikk¡ªwho was cutting his beef¡ªmade his pewter plate shriek when his knife slide across the surface. Gerhart dropped the gravy bowl he was passing to Falk, spilling gravy everywhere and making a tremendously loud crack. The noise was eclipsed, though, by a servant who was in the process of bringing in a meat jelly and dropped the pan in surprise at the proclamation.


    Only Falk, Steffen, and Gabrielle were composed.


    Steffen¡¯s eyes still crinkled in his perpetual smile. ¡°You are to wed? You have our congratulations, as well as our deepest sorrow that Father did not think to introduce you to us sooner, Lady Clotilde,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°When do you plan to hold the marriage?¡± Gabrielle asked.


    ¡°The first of spring,¡± King Henrik said.


    ¡°In a month? Are you mad?¡± Gerhart yelped.


    Falk kicked Gerhart under the table after Mikk nodded at him.


    ¡°That is a brief courtship,¡± Gabrielle tactfully acknowledged.


    ¡°I want you children to warmly welcome Lady Clotilde into our family,¡± King Henrik continued, unaffected by Gerhart¡¯s remarks. ¡°Love her and treat her as you would your own Mother, for she is to replace her and eclipse her in your hearts.¡±


    Silence reigned over the table.


    Elise and her siblings stared at their father, stricken more by this proclamation than by King Henrik¡¯s sudden intent to marry. Queen Ingrid was the family treasure. Although the Arcainian royal family was closer than most ruling families, there was tension between them. Queen Ingrid was the one person who was able to pull them together, regardless of the situation.


    She could never be replaced.


    The stubborn stillness betrayed the royal family¡¯s thoughts over King Henrik¡¯s bride, and King Henrik grew stormy in the open sign of rebellion. His frown turned into a scowl as his children remained silent.


    Sensing the mounting pressure, Elise stood. She walked to Lady Clotilde¡¯s seat and folded herself in an ornamental curtsey. ¡°I welcome you to our family, Lady Clotilde. I look forward to learning more about you, and I hope you will enjoy your new life here in Castle Brandis,¡± Elise said.


    One by one, the other royal siblings stood and joined Elise in front of Lady Clotilde, bowing or curtsying to her.


    ¡°Brown-noser,¡± Gerhart whispered to Elise.


    ¡°Nothing good will come of angering father and alienating his bride,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Of course you would know that,¡± Gerhart said before he threw himself back in his seat, angrily mixing his jellied meat with his mashed potatoes.


    ¡°Mikk, send for Erick and Rune, now,¡± Steffen whispered behind a frozen smile before he retreated to his chair.


    ¡°Welcome to the family, Lady Clotilde. If you will excuse me, Father, Lady Clotilde,¡± Mikk said. He left the room when King Henrik acknowledged him with a hand.


    ¡°Of course, my boy. Go ahead.¡±


    When everyone was seated, Nick leaned back, using Elise as a physical barrier so he could whisper to Falk, ¡°I guess we should have started watching him closer months ago.¡±

 Page 11

    ¡°So it would seem,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°So it would seem,¡± Elise echoed.Advertisement


    Elise watched a number of Arcainian subjects throw handfuls of uncooked rice and seeds at King Henrik and Lady¡ªnow Queen¡ªClotilde¡¯s open top carriage. They waved banners and flags of Arcainian colors¡ªblack and gold¡ªthat were embroidered with the country¡¯s symbol, a white swan.


    Having witnessed the marriage, Elise and her siblings were following on horseback and in carriages as part of the marriage procession that wove through the city before returning to Castle Brandis for the wedding feast.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what to make of the new queen, do you?¡±


    Elise glanced Erick, the last of her foster brothers to arrive to the wedding. He was seated in the carriage with her and Gerhart. Steffen and Gabrielle were in their own open-top carriage just behind King Henrik and Queen Clotilde¡¯s, and the rest of the Arcainian princes were riding.


    Elise hesitated, trying to find polite words to describe the feeling Clotilde gave her.


    ¡°You find her unsettling,¡± Erick said.


    Elise winced. She glanced at the crowds, but no one noticed the serious discussion held between Elise and Erick. (Who would, after all, with all the handsome princes of Arcainia being aired out at the same time?) ¡°Yes,¡± she admitted.


    Erick smiled. ¡°So do I.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s something about her. It¡¯s not the way she looks, or that she has said anything unpleasant. She looks at everything as if looking forward to the day that it is hers,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Indeed, why else would she marry a man nearly twice her age?¡± Erick said.


    ¡°Erick!¡± Elise said.


    It was a good thing Gerhart was in the carriage with them. He smiled and waved so beautifully at the crowds no one was likely to notice Elise¡¯s shock.


    Erick smiled again. ¡°Tis true,¡± he said before his eyes lost the sparkle of his smile. ¡°She feels likes magic.¡±


    ¡°In Arcainia? That cannot be,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I have met quite a few enchanters and enchantresses at the Arcainian Royal College. I know what magic feels like, and Clotilde has it,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°But magic is outlawed here. It has been since Father married Mother,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°No, performing magic is against the law. Any magic user can enter Arcainia¡¯s borders,¡± Erick countered.


    Elise looked to the carriage King Henrik and Queen Clotilde rode in. The new queen was smiling. It was a thin, brittle gesture, and although she looked beautiful, she did not look particularly happy.


    ¡°What do we do?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°What we¡¯ve been doing. I¡¯m reaching out to some of my contacts. If we can get a high-level magic user here, they could at least tell us if Clotilde is something to worry about or not,¡± Erick says.


    ¡°You are going back to the college?¡±


    ¡°For now. I am the chancellor; I cannot abandon it. However, I will return home more often. Rune will remain here at least through the spring and summer. By then, a magic user should arrive,¡± Erick said.


    Elise nodded.


    ¡°You will have to keep being the Perfect Princess,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Father isn¡¯t happy with our reaction to his marriage. From what Steffen tells me, only you and Gabrielle reacted with any decorum. You are still in his good graces. You must stay there,¡± Erick said.


    Elise offered Erick a weary smile. ¡°Isn¡¯t that my job already?¡±


    Erick chuckled as the carriage rolled to a stop in front of Brandis. ¡°And that is why the country treasures you.¡±


    Elise squared her shoulders before she stepped down from the carriage with Erick¡¯s assistance.


    Servants and attendants swarmed the carriages as everyone stepped into their places for Clotilde¡¯s first entrance into Brandis as its queen.


    Mertein was there. Elise managed to grasp his hand and linger by him for a moment.


    ¡°You look stunning,¡± Mertein said, squeezing her hand.


    ¡°Thank you. I will be glad when the feast begins, though,¡± Elise said. ¡°My cheeks hurt from all the smiling.¡±


    ¡°But it is such a happy occasion,¡± Mertein said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Elise said, slow to agree.


    ¡°F¨¹rstin, F¨¹rstin! Here, your flute,¡± an attendant called, presenting Elise with the gold-leafed instrument.


    Elise took the instrument with a smile. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, before turning to Mertein. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me, I had best get into position.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Will you save me a dance?¡± Mertein asked.


    ¡°With pleasure,¡± Elise said, extracting her hand and curtseying. She clenched the flute in her hands as she hurried up the stairs. She waited on the top stair with the rest of the royal family, stretching her fingers into the right position.


    She was the only member of the royal family who played an instrument to a degree of expertise. As such, she was usually required to play on important days, like today.

 Page 12

    ¡°Everyone ready?¡± Steffen asked as the Arcainian flag¡ªa white swan set on a background of black and gold¡ªunfurled above them.


    ¡°I hate formal wear,¡± Nick complained. ¡°We look like fairies, or a set of tiara brothers,¡± he said.Advertisement


    ¡°Hush up, and smile,¡± Gabrielle said, straightening the Nick¡¯s crooked circlet.


    Only the king and queen of Arcainia wore crowns. All other members of the royal family wore artfully crafted metal circlets studded with gems¡­or, as Nick had called them, tiaras.


    When King Henrik and Queen Clotilde started up the wide, sweeping stairs that lead to Brandis, Elise started playing her flute.


    She played perfectly. The song was bright and cheerful. It was meant to sound like a welcome to the new queen, and it did even though Elise privately wanted to do everything but welcome Clotilde to Brandis.


    Elise¡¯s timing was exactly on, and she finished the song just as King Henrik and Queen Clotilde joined Elise, Gabrielle, and the princes on the top step.


    In unison, the siblings bowed. ¡°Welcome to Castle Brandis,¡± they said.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Queen Clotilde said, removing her hand from King Henrik¡¯s arm so she could properly embrace them.


    Elise was near the end of the receiving line. She smiled her first real smile of the day when King Henrik kissed her forehead. ¡°That was well played, darling,¡± he said before he moved on to speak with Gerhart.


    Queen Clotilde was right behind King Henrik. She didn¡¯t embrace Elise, as she did Elise¡¯s foster siblings. ¡°You and I have much to talk about, F¨¹rstin,¡± she said.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Elise asked, still smiling.


    ¡°Yes. Henrik tells me you are the chief of the Treasury Department.¡±


    ¡°I am.¡±


    ¡°I wish to discuss Arcainia¡¯s finances with you. Could you make time for me later this week?¡±


    Elise kept her smile firmly in place. ¡°Of course, my queen.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, F¨¹rstin,¡± Clotilde said before she moved onto Gerhart.


    Elise briefly felt for the golden key that hung from the red sash of her work uniform. It wasn¡¯t there, of course, as she was wearing a new dress for the wedding.


    Erick had guessed right. Clotilde unsettled Elise, but that wasn¡¯t all.


    Clotilde made her skin crawl.


    Chapter 3


    ¡°I think we should have a race to see who has the fastest horse,¡± Nick said a sunny, spring afternoon as the royal family (or most of it) was sharing a horse ride at the request of the king.


    ¡°Only if Rune is banned from entering. He always wins,¡± Gerhart complained.


    ¡°Come on everyone, line up. Except for you, Rune. Gerhart is right. You spend too much time in the saddle, so you and your horse have an unfair advantage. Elise, you will join us, yes?¡± Nick said.


    ¡°Perhaps she doesn¡¯t wish to join in this folly,¡± Falk said, lining his horse up with Nick¡¯s.


    ¡°Nonsense. All of us royal siblings love horses and going fast. Come on, Elise,¡± Nick called.


    ¡°Elise, if I may have a word,¡± Queen Clotilde called.


    Elise gave her foster brothers an apologetic look before she turned her mare in the direction of Queen Clotilde¡¯s pony cart, for once not sorry to attend to her.


    ¡°Yes, Queen Clotilde?¡± Elise asked, directing her mare to walk next to Clotilde¡¯s cart.


    ¡°Steffen, aren¡¯t you joining us?¡± Nick called.


    ¡°Not on your life. It¡¯s too unseemly.¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself. Will you make the countdown then?¡±


    ¡°As you wish. On the count of three. One¡­two¡­ three!¡±


    Clotilde waited to speak until Mikk, Nick, Falk, and Gerhart galloped off.


    ¡°I visited the royal vault yesterday. The guards would not let me inside even though I am the queen.¡±


    ¡°Please do not take it personally. They were following protocol,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°If the queen cannot visit it, who, then, can?¡±


    ¡°I can,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°Only me, My Queen,¡± Elise said. She refrained from explaining that she could authorize anyone to visit the vault¡ªthe vault only held enough funds to keep the country running for a month, after all. Several members of the Treasury Department had the clearance to add and remove funds from the vault whenever necessary.


    ¡°I see. This is a rule you have made?¡± Queen Clotilde asked, her voice hardening.


    ¡°No. It was a royal decree Father made before he gave me the office of chief of the Treasury Department,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°By your Father, I take it you meant to say King Henrik?¡±


    Elise swallowed the rage that bubbled in her throat. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Queen Clotilde repeated.


    ¡°Did you have any other questions?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°No, that is all. Good day, F¨¹rstin.¡±


    ¡°Good Day, My Queen,¡± Elise said before nudging her horse forward.


    Elise eagerly trotted ahead, joining Steffen. ¡°Who won?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Falk, I think. His horse is a racer. We should catch up and find out,¡± Steffen said, discreetly glancing over his shoulder at Queen Clotilde. ¡°What did she want?¡± he asked in a lowered tone as they left the new queen behind.


    ¡°She wanted to know why she couldn¡¯t enter the vault,¡± Elise said.

 Page 13

    Steffen whistled. ¡°Not good. Does she know about the treasury?¡±


    The treasury was the storehouse of royal treasure. Elise carefully built it up since the day she first took office. ¡°No. I don¡¯t think so, or she would have demanded to know why she couldn¡¯t enter that too.¡±Advertisement


    ¡°Let us keep it that way. We¡¯ve spent too many years working towards expanding Arcainia¡¯s monetary power to let a spoiled harpy ruin it now,¡± Steffen said, his voice and expression pleasant in spite of the hostility of his words.


    ¡°Prince, Princess!¡±


    Elise and Steffen halted their horses, letting a courier on the back of a lithe horse overtake them.


    ¡°Where is Prince Rune?¡± the courier asked as his horse pranced in a circle.


    ¡°Further ahead. What is it?¡± Steffen asked, pointing to the glob of royal brothers and their mounts.


    ¡°A giant attacked one of the villages. Everyone is safe. The villagers fled to an army fortification, but the creature is flattening every structure in the area,¡± the courier said before he kicked his horse, which shot forward like flying bird.


    ¡°A giant,¡± Elise repeated. ¡°Has there ever been a giant in Arcainia before?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Not for a century at least,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°There were hellhounds last week, and a pack of goblins two weeks before that. What is going on?¡±


    Steffen shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. But it is not a good omen.¡±


    Elise hurried down the hallway, wincing when she heard a harsh, raised voice.


    ¡°Carful, F¨¹rstin. She¡¯s worked herself into a tizzy,¡± a washerwoman warned as she thumped down the hallway, carrying a load of clothes.


    ¡°It certainly sounds like it. Thank you,¡± Elise said, giving the washerwoman a brief smile before she rushed to the royal apartments.


    Elise hesitated at the door. The shouts were coming from inside, and there was an expensive sounding crash as something shattered against the wall.


    Elise knocked, and the door opened to her father. In spite of Clotilde yelling and pacing behind him, he had a pleasant smile. (Steffen had to inherit it from someone, Elise supposed.) ¡°Daughter, how good of you to join us,¡± King Henrik said.


    ¡°How may I be of service, Father?¡± Elise asked, dipping into a curtsey before she entered the royal apartments.


    ¡°My dear Clotilde has some concerns over her wardrobe.¡±


    ¡°I apologize, but I am not involved in the actual usage of goods. I only deal in their purchase,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Yes, it is the financial aspect that seems to be the problem,¡± King Henrik said.


    ¡°Why must I have a budget for clothing? Would you have me dress like a peasant? Am I not sufficiently royal enough for you to concern yourself with letting me look presentable?¡± Clotilde demanded, twisting an expensive, imported paper fan in her hands.


    ¡°Not at all. Every member of the royal family has a budgeted amount for their clothing. We must be held accountable for our spending, My Queen,¡± Elise countered with a steady, pleasant voice.


    ¡°Then why is mine so little? Gabrielle is only the wife of the crown prince, and she is dressed better than I. I should dress like a queen, not like a¡­maid!¡± Clotilde said before carelessly tossing the fan.


    Elise bit her tongue to keep from uttering a sharp reply. She very much wished she could tangle her hands in Clotilde¡¯s pretty blonde hair and drag her from Brandis, kicking and screaming. The new queen was dressed in an expensive gown of lavender silk. She wore strings of sapphires and pearls around her neck and woven through her hair. To top off the look, her slippers were made of white silk and embroidered with real gold thread. No one in the royal family dressed so lavishly. No one but Clotilde.


    ¡°Princess Gabrielle¡¯s wardrobe expenses are significantly less than yours. If you feel she is dressed better, perhaps you should ask who tailors her dresses,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Do not lie to me. She wears jewels and gems of the likes I have never seen before,¡± Clotilde said.


    ¡°It is very likely that those jewels are her personal property. Before she married Steffen, she was the Marquise of Carabas. She still owns those lands and the wealth they accumulate. The Treasury Department is not responsible for her personal finances and how she wishes to use her income from Carabas. However, though I do not know Gabrielle well, I can assure you that she spends a great deal less on her wardrobe than you,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Then why are visiting ambassadors dressed better than I? The ambassador¡¯s wife from Loire is dressed how I should be dressed. I will not stand to be upstaged by an ambassador!¡±


    ¡°Again, My Queen, I am forced to remind you that I am responsible only for Arcainia. I do not busy myself with other country¡¯s business and budgets,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Fine. Then I want an increased amount for my wardrobe,¡± Clotilde said.


    ¡°It cannot be done,¡± Elise said without hesitation.

 Page 14

    ¡°You dare refuse me?¡±


    ¡°It is not a matter of refusal as much as it is a matter of balance. Arcainia cannot afford to spend more on your wardrobe,¡± Elise said.Advertisement


    Clotilde looked murderous.


    ¡°There, there, my dove. All is not lost. No matter what you wear, you look bewitching,¡± King Henrik cooed, placing an arm around Clotilde.


    ¡°I want more,¡± Clotilde said, folding her arms like a pouting child.


    ¡°If Elise says it cannot be done, then it cannot be done. But do not fret; I will give you some of my personal money for you to spend.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you cut back spending in other areas?¡± Clotilde complained.


    Elise swallowed, unwilling to answer.


    ¡°My children are, above all, trustworthy, my dove. They are doing their best for Arcainia. We must let them continue with their work,¡± King Henrik said.


    ¡°If that was all you wished to discuss, may I leave?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Yes, Elise, you may go. Thank you for your explanation,¡± King Henrik said, patting Clotilde¡¯s hair.


    Clotilde didn¡¯t say anything, but she narrowed her nearly colorless eyes at Elise, and her fetching face turned ugly with the glare she gave her.


    Elise curtseyed and hustled out of the room. When the door clicked shut behind her, she ran down the hall like a frightened rabbit.


    She had just made an enemy out of Clotilde, and she wasn¡¯t sure what the outcome would be.


    ¡°I think it is high time F¨¹rstin Elise marries,¡± Clotilde announced several weeks later during the family breakfast.


    Gone were the days when the royal family ate merrily with the rest of the residents of Castle Brandis. Since Clotilde had been crowned, she insisted they eat separately¡ªwith servants serving them on their finest plates of porcelain and gold.


    Elise looked up from her eggs. ¡°I beg your pardon?¡±


    ¡°I do not understand why you felt the need to take on a foster daughter in the first place, Henrik. With seven sons, a fosterling is hardly necessary. But as you have her now, it would be shameful to cast her out, and she may as well be of use after living off you for so many years. Marry her off to a foreign duke or baron who will pay handsomely for her,¡± Clotilde said.


    Nick slammed his fist on the table. ¡°You cannot be serious,¡± he said.


    ¡°You seem to misunderstand, My Queen, Elise¡¯s relationship with our family,¡± Steffen said, his eyes crinkled in his ever present smile after he shot Nick a warning look. ¡°Officially Elise is a foster daughter, yes. But she is for certain a part of this family. She is my treasured sister, and I am not quite willing to part with her yet, nor would I ever wish to see her marry outside of Arcainia.¡±


    ¡°No matter if she is a foster daughter or not, it is the duty of female royalty to marry. Soon no one will want her, and she will be too old to marry. And what better way to spread Arcainia¡¯s influence then to send her off to another country to fortify friendly relations? You understand what I¡¯m saying, don¡¯t you, Henrik?¡± Clotilde simpered.


    ¡°F¨¹rstin Elise is the head of the Treasury Department. There are none who can replace her at this time, My Queen,¡± Mikk stiffly said, as if the admission pained him.


    ¡°Regardless of her marriage, she must be replaced. It is shameful for the children of monarchs to work like, like peasants,¡± Queen Clotilde said.


    ¡°Do you mean to imply we all should retire from our positions in Arcainia¡¯s government?¡± Steffen asked.


    ¡°Yes, I do.¡±


    ¡°While your feelings are sweet, My Queen, they are perhaps too idealistic,¡± Gerhart said with a charming smile, although his eyes had the look of a viper in them. ¡°If the royal family is not working to direct the country, it will fall into ruin. While people tend to overestimate Elise¡¯s role in the country, I am forced to admit that she does fill a necessary function.¡±


    ¡°Sweetling, are you alright?¡± Falk murmured to Elise, who was leaning back in her chair.


    Elise stared wide-eyed at her plate, hearing the conversation but not able to respond. It was nice to know that Clotilde had managed to bring the royal siblings together¡ªGerhart and Mikk never would have spoken on Elise¡¯s behalf if they didn¡¯t hate Clotilde just as much as everyone else in Brandis.


    Even so, Elise¡¯s heart heaved in her chest.


    Clotilde was going to do everything she could to get rid of her, and her foster brothers wouldn¡¯t always be around to protect her. One day Clotilde would succeed, and all of Elise¡¯s work, everything she did to prove she was even a little bit worthy of the honor King Henrik and Queen Ingrid had bestowed upon her would be wasted.


    Queen Clotilde shook her head and fixed a poisonous smile on her lips. ¡°The bottom line is that as her foster parents, it is up to Henrik and I to decide what is best for her. Henrik, you must believe that I have the best interests of Arcainia and Elise at mind. We will announce her availability¡ª,¡±


    ¡°No.¡±

 Page 15

    Clotilde twisted her neck to stare at King Henrik. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°No, Elise will not yet marry. Nor will I see her cut from this family,¡± King Henrik said. His voice held a hint of the rough iron and rock that he used to possess¡­before he met Clotilde.Advertisement


    ¡°Henrik, dear, you must trust me. As a man you do not understand, but as a woman and her foster mother I¡ª,¡±


    ¡°Elise¡¯s foster mother is Queen Ingrid. You have unfortunately inherited my rowdy sons, but Elise is Ingrid¡¯s legacy. She is F¨¹rstin, the head of her own household. She may marry if she wishes, but no one in this family will ever force her to,¡± King Henrik said.


    Everyone at the table was silent.


    Elise¡¯s foster brothers stared at their father with something like hope, and Elise bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying as she raised her eyes to meet King Henrik¡¯s eyes.


    They were clear and heavy with¡­expectation.


    Elise looked to Clotilde, who was gawking at King Henrik as if she had never seen him before. When she turned to look at the rest of the royal children, her eyes zeroed in on Elise. Her lip curled back in a sneer, and she clenched her crystal wine glass so tightly, she made it crack.


    ¡°Dove, your glass has cracked¡ªcareful now. I wouldn¡¯t want to see your beautiful skin marred. Serving maid, would you procure a new glass for the queen? Thank you,¡± King Henrik said, his moment of steel and steadiness gone. His voice and mannerisms were back to their doddering ways.


    Clotilde did not respond to Henrik, and she kept her eyes on Elise.


    The matter wasn¡¯t over yet. Clotilde would not take a loss.


    A few weeks before summer, the royal princes and princesses of Arcainia assembled outside the throne room.


    ¡°Does anyone know what they wish to speak to us about?¡± Erick asked, adjusting his rectangular glasses.


    ¡°Not a clue,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°My agents haven¡¯t uncovered anything unusual,¡± Mikk said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not going to be pretty, that¡¯s for certain. We¡¯re being summoned for a formal audience with all the bells and whistles,¡± Rune said, adjusting his circlet. In spite of the ¡°tiaras,¡± everyone still wore their everyday uniforms in the Arcainian colors of black and gold.


    ¡°Erick, any word on a magic user coming to scent that creature out?¡± Steffen said, nodding his head in the direction of the throne room.


    ¡°Funny you should say that. Directly before I was summoned here, I received a note from an enchantress of some renown. She said she would be traveling through Arcainia and would be happy to help so long as we did not require the use of magic,¡± Erick said. ¡°I left her a message directing her to Brandis. With luck, she should arrive within the week.¡±


    ¡°A week may be too late,¡± Gerhart groaned, flinging an arm over his eyes. ¡°If I have to listen to her complain another day about our lack of decorum and formality I¡¯m going to die.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not something to joke about, Gerhart,¡± Falk said, his voice soft like velvet but seeped with warning.


    ¡°All we need to do is concentrate on getting through today,¡± Gabrielle said, holding her black and white, male cat in her arms. (Elise didn¡¯t know why she brought the cat, but in the past month it was increasingly rare to see Gabrielle without it.) ¡°How are you holding up?¡± Rune asked, slinging an arm across Elise¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°I¡¯m managing,¡± Elise smiled. Ever since King Henrik beheaded Clotilde¡¯s plan to marry her off, the young queen took great pains to snub, mock, and rebuke Elise. ¡°I don¡¯t see how this will end well, even with the help of an enchantress,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°If we can prove she is using magic, the Veneno Conclave will be forced to step in, Darling,¡± Falk said, intruding on the conversation without hesitation.


    ¡°Next time I leave to fight a monster, you should come with me. You could use the break,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I cannot afford to leave the treasury alone for long. Nick increased security around the vault, but Clotilde still tries to bully her way in,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°It¡¯s a wonder she hasn¡¯t convinced Father to force you to give her permission to enter it,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Maybe it isn¡¯t,¡± Falk said. ¡°As manipulative as she may be, Clotilde does not strike me as being especially bright.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s smart enough to try and squeeze us out of the government system,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°But she goes about it in the most brutish ways. Subtlety is not her gift,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Sometimes one doesn¡¯t need to be subtle if they can get their way through force,¡± Elise grimly said.


    ¡°Is everyone ready to enter?¡± Steffen asked. He held Gabrielle¡¯s elbow as she needed both hands to support her unusually large cat.

 Page 16

    After hearing a chorus of yeses, Steffen turned to the doorman. ¡°Arthur, we are ready to face the dragon.¡±


    ¡°Good luck to you, Your Majesties,¡± the doorman said, hastily crossing himself before he swung open a door and announced, ¡°Their majesties Kronprinz Steffen and Prinzessin Gabrielle, Prinz Mikkael, Prinz Nickolas, Prinz Falk, F¨¹rstin Elise, and Prinz Gerhart.¡±Advertisement


    Elise and her siblings approached the dais that King Henrik and Queen Clotilde¡¯s thrones were placed on.


    They were silent, exchanging nervous glances when they saw their father. He was slumped in his chair like an old man. His eyes were vacant, his breathing labored, and he did nothing to acknowledge their entrance.


    Queen Clotilde wore her most expensive dress. Her jewelry was a set of sparkling diamonds, and her facial features were drawn and snake like as she smiled magnificently.


    ¡°Children,¡± she said, standing when the door closed. ¡°How good of you to come.¡±


    ¡°For what did you request our presence, My Queen?¡± Steffen asked.


    Clotilde clasped her hands. ¡°You all have been such a pain,¡± she started. ¡°Again and again, I have tried to push you out. But you all resist. Worse yet, you make him resist,¡± she said, jerking her head back at King Henrik.


    Mikk, Nick, and Rune slide their swords out of their scabbards, holding them warily in front of them.


    Gabrielle¡¯s cat hissed, his fur standing on end as he growled at the queen.


    ¡°There simply is no other option,¡± Clotilde said. ¡°I have to kill you.¡±


    Rune sprinted up the stairs, Mikk and Nick on his heels. He raised his sword and leaped at Clotilde as if to chop her when he hit a iridescent surface¡ªmuch like a translucent egg shell¡ªand was thrown backwards.


    Mikk and Nick tried to stab their swords through the protective barrier, but they, too, were thrown like rag dolls.


    ¡°So you finally show your true colors?¡± Erick said, sliding a dagger out of his uniform as Elise and Falk scrambled to check on the fallen trio.


    ¡°Hold your tongue, you fool,¡± Clotilde said. ¡°You will die without honor.¡±


    Gerhart ran for the door. He tried to wrench it open but it wouldn¡¯t budge. ¡°Arthur! Arthur, open the door!¡± he shouted, pounding on it.


    ¡°It¡¯s no use. I have sealed this room. You will not escape,¡± Clotilde said.


    ¡°You won¡¯t get away with this. The people will revolt. It will be obvious you killed us,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°If I kill you when you are human, yes. But not if I curse you first,¡± Clotilde said with an evil smile as she slipped a hand into a black silk bag. ¡°A swan will do nicely. I¡¯ve always hated those birds. They are too beautiful and pure. It will be wonderfully ironic, of course, as your family crest is a swan. Maybe I¡¯ll make you all into a cloak.¡±


    Erick tried throwing his dagger. It made the shield of magic Clotilde used to protect herself crack and fizzle, and it lodged in the surface, but it was not able to pass through.


    Clotilde pulled something out of the bag and clasped it in her hands before starting the spell. As Clotilde spoke in a deep, eerie voice unlike her own, Rune, Mikk, and Nick recovered and tried to attack again. They hit the magical shield and again bounced off it.


    Clotilde ignored them and spoke in a dark, guttural language Elise didn¡¯t recognize.


    ¡°Puss, do something,¡± Gabrielle said.


    Steffen unearthed several daggers and threw them at Clotilde. They bounced off the surface of her shield, unlike Erick¡¯s, and fell to the ground with a clatter.


    ¡°Arthur!¡± Gerhart shouted, pounding on the door as dark fog filled the room.


    Falk ran up the stairs, making a beeline for King Henrik. ¡°Father,¡± he shouted when he could get no closer. ¡°Father! Wake up!¡±


    Clotilde¡¯s voice increased in volume until it made the air and floor shake. She held her hands up with a flourish, still clutching something in one fist, and shouted. ¡°Now, I curse you, princes and princesses of Arcainia. I curse you!¡±


    ¡°Gabrielle, hold on!¡± shouted a voice Elise didn¡¯t recognize.


    ¡°But Steffen¡ª,¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t do him any good if you¡¯re both swans!¡±


    The magic hit Elise and her siblings like a wave of black water. It struck Steffen first, coating his body in black liquid. A black cloud formed around him and started shrinking. Inside the cloud, Steffen yelled. His voice turned wild and the cloud shattered with an explosion of white feathers.


    Mikk and Nick were next. They braced each other and tried to stab their swords through the black magic, but it engulfed them. Elise could hear the clang of their swords falling to the ground as they, too, screamed.


    Erick held his hand out in front of him and said words Elise suspected were part of the language of magic, but the wave of black filth did not flinch backwards and enveloped him as well.


    Falk and Rune were only seconds behind, their screams adding to the cacophony of the air.


    A cloud formed around Gabrielle, but it did not shrink. Something seemed to be pushing it back.

 Page 17

    Elise and Gerhart were last. Elise saw the black magic surround Gerhart before her vision was blocked off.


    The curse slide across her skin like a snake coiling around her. It pried her mouth open, dripped down her ears and oozed down her throat like tar. Elise choked as she felt the curse tighten around her and fight its way to her bones.Advertisement


    Clotilde was going to win.


    All would be lost. Not just her family, but Arcainia as well.


    Clotilde, the witch, would ruin it. The servants, her Treasury Department staff, the kind stable hands and the brave soldiers. All would be ruled by a tyrant who was bent on their destruction.


    ¡°NO!¡± Elise shouted. Her rebuke was drowned out by the tarry magic, but after she choked it out, the curse froze.


    ¡°NO!¡± Elise repeated. The curse retreated from her mouth and inner body with enough suddenness to make Elise wretch, but she held it in. ¡°No! I will not accept this!¡± Elise shouted.


    The black magic fled from her. It zoomed back to Clotilde and hit her square in the chest. The woman shrieked and fell backwards, cracking her head on her wooden throne.


    Elise stared wide eyed at the flock of white swans who beat their wings and trumpeted before she raised her gaze to the fallen queen, who was tussling with the curse that had fled from Elise.


    ¡°Elise, RUN! Now, while she¡¯s distracted,¡± Gabrielle shouted, wrenching Elise along by the arm. They reached the door and threw themselves against it. Gabrielle narrowly avoided squashing her cat against its surface, but the door flew open.


    ¡°Puss, help us get the princes out,¡± Gabrielle said, dropping her cat.


    ¡°Hurry! I don¡¯t think that curse will fight her much longer,¡± the cat said¡ªthe cat said¡ªas he ran behind several swans/princes, hissing and swiping at them with his claws.


    ¡°What the¡ª,¡± Arthur started as Elise shooed the last of the swans out of the throne room.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask. Close the door and keep it shut as long as you can manage, even if Clotilde orders you to open it,¡± Gabrielle instructed.


    ¡°Where do we take them?¡± Elise asked as they herded the swans down the hallway.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to leave the country. Clotilde won¡¯t rest until you¡¯re all killed,¡± Gabrielle said when they reached a staircase. ¡°GET A HORSE. NOW!¡± she shouted to servants at the bottom of the stairs.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you coming with? You won¡¯t be safe either,¡± Elise said as the swans bumbled their way down the staircase.


    Gabrielle stopped at the base of the stairs, and for a moment Elise could see how frightened Gabrielle was.


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I promised him,¡± Gabrielle said, placing a hand over her heart and clenching the fabric of her dress. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ll have Puss with me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. You¡¯ll have me with you. I¡¯m going to tan your hide if you ever move out of clawing range again,¡± Gabrielle¡¯s cat said. (The cat said. Elise suspected she would have to take a serious amount of time to processes this once she and her brothers reached safety.) ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± a servant asked.


    ¡°I will explain later. For now we must get these swans out of the castle, before the Queen finds us,¡± Gabrielle said.


    ¡°Right,¡± several servants said, moving in to help herd the swans to a servant¡¯s exit.


    ¡°Elise,¡± Gabrielle said. ¡°Follow your brothers, and do not let them rest until you have left the country. Go south, if you can, but concern yourself foremost with tracking your brothers.¡±


    ¡°I cannot do this alone. I can hardly keep seven swans safe¡ª,¡± Elise started.


    ¡°Elise,¡± Gabrielle said, grabbing Elise by the shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you avoided the curse, but it is abundantly clear that you are the only chance your brothers have. You cannot second guess yourself. You must guard them.¡±


    Elise glanced at her swan brothers. She couldn¡¯t tell them apart. All of them were graceful white birds that were shockingly quiet. Elise didn¡¯t know if Gabrielle was right, but she couldn¡¯t leave her brothers now. Arcainia wouldn¡¯t survive without them, and Elise owed it to the royal family. ¡°Alright,¡± she said.


    Gabrielle spared Elise a weak smile before they hustled out of the servant¡¯s entrance/exit to Brandis. ¡°Steffen,¡± Gabrielle called, wading through the birds.


    Elise didn¡¯t know how she did it, but Gabrielle sought out a very specific bird and held its head.


    ¡°Steffen, I don¡¯t know if you understand me, but please remember this. I love you. I love you so much. I¡¯m going to stay here. If I loved you any less, I would come, but I cannot. I will keep our people safe, and I will do my best to make Clotilde¡¯s life miserable. Please be safe. Do not forget me,¡± Gabrielle begged. Tears fell from her eyes before she awkwardly embraced the large swan.


    The swan was still¡ªit was the only swan that was motionless, the others kept flapping their wings and pecking each other.

 Page 18

    The castle shook and Gabrielle¡¯s cat ran back to the castle. ¡°Gabrielle,¡± it called in an impatient voice.


    ¡°I know,¡± Gabrielle said. She paused for a moment in front of Elise. ¡°You may feel like an intruder, F¨¹rstin, but realize this: I am trusting you with the one person I treasure most in this world. Stop forcing yourself to prove your worth, and you will find peace.¡±Advertisement


    ¡°Gabrielle!¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Gabrielle said, hustling back into the castle. Her cat leaped into her arms and the duo disappeared inside. Literately. When they entered they castle threshold they disappeared like a wisp of smoke.


    ¡°Consider it later,¡± Elise reminded herself as a servant pulled a horse up to the flock of swans. When Elise saw the horse, she swore several times, making her assistant swan keepers/servants stared wide eyed at her.


    It was Falk¡¯s horse, a spirited beast that shied easily and ran like hellhounds chased him on his mild days.


    Something deep in the castle roared. ¡°No other choice,¡± Elise grimly said, throwing herself into the saddle.


    The horse shied, but Elise clamped herself to its back like a flea. ¡°Go, go, fly, brothers!¡± Elise urged as the horse ran straight into the swan flock.


    The swans beat their wings and clumsily took flight. They fought their way into the air, crashing into each other like drunken sailors.


    Elise heeled Falk¡¯s horse, and the beast took off, careening out of Castle Brandis and entering the city. ¡°Look out!¡± Elise shouted as they galloped down city streets.


    Men, women, and children leaped out of the way, and Elise didn¡¯t try to slow the horse down. Instead, she cast nervous glances to the sky, watching for the flock of swans.


    They left the capital, bearing west.


    When Elise cleared the gates, she loosened the reins. Falk¡¯s horse threw himself into a frenzied gallop. Elise tangled one hand in his mane and clamped onto the saddle with her other hand.


    The land to the west of Brandis was, mercifully, free of trees. It made it easier to watch her brothers, but it also made Elise an open target.


    After ten minutes of flying, several of the white swans started to sink. Their flight was labored, and they strained their graceful necks forward when they pumped their wings.


    Falk¡¯s horse had worked up a sweat, so Elise pulled him back into a trot. They lagged behind the swans, which flew closer and closer to the ground.


    When the first swan crash-landed¡ªrolling when he failed to slow down before touching the ground¡ªElise slide off the horse¡¯s back and led him up to the flock as the rest of the swans tried landing, having roughly the same amount of success as the first swan.


    ¡°We have to keep moving. If you can¡¯t fly, you have to walk,¡± Elise said, nudging the swans forward.


    The swans walked more gracefully than they flew, although the pace left much to be desired. They almost glided when they walked, their backs and shoulders barely moving up and down.


    ¡°Faster than this, brothers. Please, if you can understand me, walk faster,¡± Elise said.


    They didn¡¯t walk faster.


    Elise clamped down on the knot in her throat and the tears stinging her eyes. ¡°Come on, birds,¡± Elise said as she used herself and the horse to force the swans to march forward.


    Their black webbed feet padded the ground as they picked up their pace, occasionally stopping to hiss at Elise as she rushed them.


    After five to ten minutes of waddling, Elise glanced back at Castle Brandis.


    A black cloud hung around the tallest tower of the palace. There were flashes of red light that occasionally lit up the innards of the cloud.


    ¡°Fly, brothers. FLY,¡± Elise shouted, throwing herself on Falk¡¯s horse before directing the animal to plow through the flock.


    The birds resentfully took to the air, hissing and clicking at Elise as they took off, clumsily pumping their wings to gain altitude.


    Elise again clamped onto the horse, her muscles protesting with the stiffness and tension she held the position in. She risked a glance over her shoulder and wished she hadn¡¯t. The cloud left Castle Brandis and was creeping in their direction. Instead of floating like a normal cloud, the black fog bobbed like a cork on rough waters. It rolled downwards before winding up, cresting like an ocean wave.


    A forest was within sight. If Elise could reach it, with her brothers, before the cloud found them they might have a chance.


    ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Elise shouted when one of the birds started to sink.


    The swan hastily pumped its wings, knocking into one of the other swans.


    Elise¡¯s foster brothers squabbled in the air as Elise and the horse thundered along the ground.


    The cloud was maybe two to three stone throws away when Elise and the swans reached the edge of the forest.


    The swans dropped like rocks, shaking dust from their white feathers when they stood and beat their wings.

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    ¡°Keep going in!¡± Elise said, sliding off her mount¡¯s back. The horse threw his head and shied, the whites of his eyes showing when he got a look at the incoming cloud.


    ¡°Curse you, Falk, and your competitive streak,¡± Elise said, wincing when the reins burned her fingers as the horse reared. Elise ground her teeth and clung to the reins, pulling the horse forward. He snorted and jumped ahead, making the swans hurry down the dirt road that plowed through the forest.Advertisement


    They were within the borders of the woods when Elise took another moment to look back. ¡°It¡¯s not stopping,¡± she said, able to see the incoming cloud through the opening in the forest.


    Fear made Elise¡¯s heart pump. She dragged the nervous horse around the flock, pressuring her swan brothers off the road. ¡°Off the trail,¡± she called, whistling at them to get their attention.


    The swans were quiet as they waddled off the path and into green underbrush.


    There was a thundering noise, like the roar of the ocean. Elise whirled around. The black fog was in the forest, creeping forward like searching fingers.


    It drew parallel with Elise and the swans when the ocean noises grew louder.


    Someone shouted, and a whirling black-blue shape topped with white gold flew past like a comet, plunging at the fog.


    The fog fled the comet, escaping faster than it had pursued Elise. The comet caught up with the fog though, and the black cloud huddled to a frightening tar-like core before the comet hit it, shattering it entirely.


    There was a deafening peal of thunder, but no lightning.


    Falk¡¯s horse reared again, swinging wildly around and crashing into a bush as the swans beat their wings.


    By the time Elise was able to hold her borrowed horse steady, the ¡°comet¡± stood in the middle of the trail, in line with Elise and her flock.


    The comet was actual a breathtakingly beautiful lady mounted on a black horse. Elise hesitated to call it a horse, for while the animal had the structure and face of a horse, its fur wasn¡¯t quite fur. Instead the horse appeared to be wrapped by the night sky. Its body was mostly blue black with the faint twinkling of stars, and its mane and tail were black as well, although they didn¡¯t fall and sit straight the way normal hair would. Instead they floated, looking more like tongues of black and blue fire than strands of hair.


    ¡°You certainly aren¡¯t Gabi, so Princess Elise I may presume?¡± the rider asked.


    Elise swallowed as she stared at the great beauty. As she watched the rider¡¯s dress, an iridescent shade of gold, turned a faint shade of iridescent green. ¡°W-who are you?¡±


    ¡°I am Angelique.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an enchantress.¡±


    ¡°Correct. Your brother, Prince Erick, invited me to Arcainia. He asked me to observe your stepmother. It seems that I am too late,¡± Angelique said, looking past Elise to the white swans huddled behind her. ¡°It is alright, princes. Please, come out of hiding,¡± Angelique said, her voice soothing and tranquil.


    Elise¡¯s seven swan brothers glided out of the forest, joining Angelique on the road as the enchantress dismounted.


    Angelique slid her hands under the head of one of the swans, making it look up at her. She studied its face as she gently stroked it, murmuring to it under her breath.


    Elise waded out of the trees, dragging Falk¡¯s horse with, and watched. Falk¡¯s horse snorted at the enchantress¡¯s odd mount, but he did nothing more besides watch it with bugged eyes.


    Angelique slowly turned the head of the swan that attended to her, studying the sides of its face. ¡°This is a serious curse,¡± Angelique said. Even the frown that twitched across her lips could not mar her beauty. ¡°I assume Gabi escaped it because of Puss?¡±


    ¡°Puss?¡±


    ¡°Her cat.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. She wasn¡¯t cursed, I don¡¯t know why though,¡± Elise said scrubbing her face with a dirty hand.


    ¡°And how did you remain unhindered?¡± Angelique asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. Clotilde tried to curse me, but it bounced off me and went back to her.¡±


    ¡°How very odd.¡±


    Elise hesitated. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m not a real member of the royal family. I am a foster child.¡±


    ¡°Unlikely. This curse was not crafted specifically for the royal family, and it was made with black magic. Anyone who took the time to create such a vile curse would not make a beginner¡¯s mistake,¡± Angelique said, releasing the swan.


    Elise crouched on the ground, covering her head with an arm as she thought. ¡°Can it be broken?¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°Is there any way to end this curse? Could we make Clotilde take it off them? Or¡­ if she dies?¡±


    Angelique stared at the swans for several long moments before she replied. ¡°The safest place for you and your brothers is to be far away from Clotilde. As for breaking the curse¡­I will see what can be done.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°I will approach Clotilde.¡±


    ¡°What if she attacks you?¡±


    Angelique was silent for several moments. ¡°There will be no if, for I plan to attack her first.¡±


    Elise looked up at the breathtaking woman. ¡°Will you be punished for it?¡±

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    ¡°Perhaps.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I would pardon you, the royal family would pardon you if we could,¡± Elise said as one of the swans waddled up to her and started tugging on her hair with its orange beak.Advertisement


    ¡°I thank you. But it is not the Arcainian government that outlawed magic in Arcainia, but the Veneno Conclave itself. There is a good chance I will not be punished as the attacks originate from a twister of magic. However, no matter who made the law, I would not stand for this. My master taught me that as a magic user it is my responsibility to right whatever wrongs might have been made with magic. What Clotilde has done is not only wrong, but evil,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Elise said, her words barely louder than a whisper. The swan pecking at her hair whistled at her, drawing a weak smile from Elise.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Angelique said before she turned back to her horse. It bowed in an odd, boneless movement, letting Angelique climb up its leg and onto its back. ¡°You must leave the country. Keep going west to Loire, and from there go north to Verglas. Your stepmother could never touch you there, for the magic of the Snow Queen still runs strong in Verglas in spite of the centuries that have passed. I mean to find Gabi and Puss to form a plan for attacking the queen. It may be some days before I find you.¡±


    ¡°Lady Enchantress, please¡­can my brothers understand me at all?¡± Elise asked, standing.


    ¡°They understand more than you would think, but not much of their humanity remains. I would guess that they recognize you as someone important to them, although they certainly do not understand the conversation we just had,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°I see. Thank you,¡± Elise said, pushing her shoulders back.


    ¡°They will stay close to you. Do not worry that they will fly off. It will be easy for you to reach Verglas if you lead them rather than attempt to drive them, I think,¡± Angelique said, smoothing her iridescent skirts into place.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Elise repeated, biting the inside of her lip to keep her face stoic.


    ¡°I will find you after my encounter with your step-mother. Until then, stay safe,¡± Angelique said. When her horse snorted, his nostrils flared red, like coals.


    ¡°Thank you, Lady Enchantress. My family owes you a great debt,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Hardly. It is the fault of magic users for allowing this to happen in the first place, but I thank you all the same. Until Verglas, Princess Elise,¡± Angelique said before clicking to her horse.


    It started off at a swift, ground-covering trot, but its footfalls sounded odd on the dirt road.


    Falk¡¯s horse snorted at the unusual animal, and Elise patted its neck. ¡°I know how you feel. Come, we must keep moving.¡±


    Chapter 4


    All day Elise walked, leading one horse and seven swans on foot. The second day she mostly walked, but occasionally rode when she was able to coax her brothers into flying. It was the same on the third day.


    Elise lost track of the days after that. She was tired and uncomfortable. She slept on the ground and ate the few edible plants she recognized. She knew she didn¡¯t eat enough, but her appetite was gone.


    The more time she spent with her swan brothers, the heavier her heart grew. She tried to look for any quirks or hints of their personalities that would set them apart. If she could just figure out which brother was which bird! But no; they operated like a flock of silent, dumb birds.


    Elise¡¯s only comfort was at night, when she tried to sleep on the hard ground and was surrounded by the soft, pillowy bodies of seven swans.


    When Elise reached the Loire/Verglas border¡ªand she knew it was the border, because Verglas had a distinctly cooler climate and an abundance of pine trees that Loire did not possess¡ª her work uniform was torn, dirty, and a general disgrace to look at.


    An hour more of traveling, and Elise found a large pond that seemed a suitable enough place at which to wait for Angelique.


    It was scummy with lily pads and algae floating on the still surface, but Elise¡¯s foster brothers happily plunged into the pond and started dunking their heads in the water, dining on some sort of pond weed.


    Elise unbuckled the bit and reins from the bridle of her mount and removed its saddle and blanket. She let it loose in a small meadow where it attacked the grass with scarcely less zeal than the swans sifting in the pond.


    Elise spread the saddle blanket on the ground before she sat down, inspecting the frayed hem of her skirt. The gold key still hung from the red sash tied around her waist, but the white sleeves were smeared green, and the black of the skirts had become a dark shade of mud gray.


    One of the swans left the pond and chased an insect around the shore. The insect buzzed close to Elise, drawing the swan to her.

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    The swan flapped its wings, launching itself at Elise. It caught the bug, but it smacked Elise in the face with its powerful wings that had the force of a swinging sack of potatoes.


    ¡°Ouch, go away,¡± Elise said, her eyes watering with pain as she tried to push the swan off.Advertisement


    The swan chortled and smacked her again with its wings as it left, retreating to the pond.


    ¡°Please, please let the Lady Enchantress Angelique succeed in overthrowing Clotilde,¡± Elise said, holding her throbbing nose.


    Surrounded only by animals, nothing answered her.


    Elise rubbed down Falk¡¯s horse with bit of cloth she ripped off her black skirt and dipped in the pond.


    Her swan brothers floated on the water or puttered around on the shore, looking for bugs and grass to eat.


    One swan sat near Elise and the horse, watching them with a tilted head.


    Elise offered the swan a smile. ¡°Rune?¡± she tried.


    The swan didn¡¯t move.


    Elise glanced at the horse and then back to the swan. ¡°Falk? Do you recognize your horse?¡±


    The swan lunged to its black feet, snapping a bug midair. It chortled to itself before it went back to the pond, drawing a sigh from Elise.


    It had been a week, and her brothers still acted like swans. Sometimes she thought one of them might be responding, but it always was because there was a bug buzzing through the air, or they were watching because they were looking at a nearby animal.


    Elise wanted to believe that as she was a part of their family¡ªfoster child or not¡ªshe might be able to stir their memories.


    She was having no such luck. She hadn¡¯t even identified Rune, and he was the Royal Prince she was closest to.


    Another swan approached Elise.


    Elise smiled and extended a hand.


    The swan pecked her, pinching and twisting the soft skin on her wrist.


    Elise yelped. The swan flapped its wings and moved on, which was a good thing as Elise burned with the desire to kick the white bird. Instead, she clamped a hand over her smarting skin and stared up at the sky.


    A raindrop fell on her face. Seconds later, another fat droplet plopped on her nose.


    When it started to downpour, Elise breathed in through her nose, carefully gathering up her craving to bawl and strangling it.


    A princess didn¡¯t cry. At least, Queen Ingrid wouldn¡¯t have. The Queen would expect Elise to be better than hysterics, as well.


    Elise headed for the trees, dragging Falk¡¯s horse by its bridle-turned-halter. A few of the swans joined her long enough to ram into her and hit her with their wings before they returned to the pond, unbothered by the water that slid off their slick feathers.


    ¡°If Angelique doesn¡¯t succeed, I will have to do something,¡± Elise said. ¡°Clotilde might get her wish after all; I might have to marry a foreign prince in order to mobilize his troops to rescue my country.¡±


    The prospect of marrying a foreign dignitary did not delight Elise. She always knew that her Father wouldn¡¯t thoughtlessly auction her off to allies. He would keep her in the country, hopefully letting her wed her choice of men. Preferably she would marry Mertein¡ªwho was a good choice as the first son of a prominent noble family. It was the greatest happily ever after Elise could have dared to dream for, and she did.


    But now, watching her brothers¡ªwatching the swans really¡ªElise knew if anyone was going to save Arcainia and get rid of Clotilde, it would have to be her.


    ¡°Lucien is a toad,¡± Elise said, thinking of the crown prince of Loire. ¡°But if he is still open to a marriage contract, he may be my best bet.¡±


    Rain continued to fall, filling the air with a steady pitter patting as it fell against tree leaves and the ground.


    A swan hissed when another swan pecked it, and Elise closed her eyes.


    ¡°I will marry for the sake of Arcainia, for Father, and for my foster brothers if I must,¡± she said. ¡°I just wish¡­,¡± Elise trailed off, unable to finish the thought. She watched the rain fall and thought longingly of the sweet moments she shared with Mertein.


    It was dusk. Several more days had passed, and as each day turned into the next, Elise steeled her resolve. It didn¡¯t seem like Angelique, the Lady Enchantress, would be returning.


    Elise watched the swans float on the pond, bobbing up and down in the ripples colored by the last rays of the sun. They looked beautiful, the rising moon made their stark white feathers glow as they arched their necks and paddled in the water.


    ¡°Another week, maybe two. If I don¡¯t hear from Angelique before then, I will know something must have gone terribly wrong,¡± Elise said, resting her head on her knees as she sat on the sandy bank that bordered the pond.


    One of the swans made a strange, questioning noise.


    Elise looked up to see the swan peck at the churning water surface. There was no wind, but waves crested in the pond as if it were part of the ocean.

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    Two swans clicked in protest when the water tossed them around, and all of the swans hissed when light that was golden and strong¡ªmore like the rising sun than the silver moon that hung in the dark sky¡ªsurrounded them. It pulled the swans into the air, making them hang with their wings stretched.


    Elise stared wide eyed, scrambling to her feet when a pillar of white feathers exploded around each swan.Advertisement


    There was a trumpeting noise that resounded off nearby trees, and the light disappeared. The feathers seemed to solidify, encasing the seven humans that stood in the pond where seven swans previously paddled.


    ¡°Gross, I think I have a bug in my teeth!¡± Gerhart said.


    ¡°This is certainly what I aspired to do with my life, float in on a pond before getting dosed all the way through my breeches,¡± Steffen grumbled as he trudged out of the pond, shaking water off as he went.


    Elise stared as each of her brothers emerged from the pond, wearing white clothes that seemed to have the same slick properties as swan feathers.


    ¡°Elise, you¡¯re safe,¡± Rune said, the first of his brothers to approach her. He bent over her, picking her off the ground and wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug.


    The gesture convinced Elise she was not delusional. He was real. Her face was pressed against his soft shirt, and his hands were warm on her back.


    Her brothers were human again.


    ¡°Rune,¡± Elise said, grasping at his shirt as if he were her anchor. It was all she could say, her throat burned with unsaid words, but her mouth wouldn¡¯t move.


    ¡°I¡¯m here, Elise. Everything is going to be fine,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°And that¡¯s enough,¡± Nick said, wrenching the two apart after several prolonged moments.


    Elise clenched her jaw to keep her teeth from chattering as she drank in the sight of her foster brothers.


    ¡°I am sorry, Elise, that it was my horse you had to ride here,¡± Falk said, placing a cool hand on the crown of Elise¡¯s head. ¡°I hope he was not too much trouble?¡±


    ¡°I asked a lot of him, but he was a good mount,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Good. I am glad you are well,¡± Falk said, awkwardly placing his hands on Elise¡¯s shoulders for a moment.


    ¡°Why we are in the middle of the forest?¡± Mikk stiffly asked.


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember getting cursed and turning into a bird? That¡¯s a real shame, Mikk. If we came across some swan ladies, I bet you would be real popular with them,¡± Nick said, elbowing his twin.


    ¡°Clotilde cursed us. I could see her readying it, but I didn¡¯t have the chance to warn anyone,¡± Erick said, reaching to adjust glasses that weren¡¯t there.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorely vexed by this. I was supposed to have tea with Lady Katchen,¡± Gerhart said.


    Erick blinked. ¡°We have been turned into swans, and you are upset because you missed a tea.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± Gerhart grouched, folding his arms across his chest.


    Elise tilted her head, intrigued. ¡°Lady Katchen? Her family does a great deal of exporting. If they would agree to use the Carabas harbor to ship exports, it would be a great financial opportunity.¡±


    Gerhart looked marginally pleased for a moment. ¡°Of course; why do you think I arranged to meet with her?¡± he said before shoving his nose in the air.


    Nick smacked Gerhart upside the head. ¡°Our little Gerhie is growing up.¡±


    ¡°Stop that,¡± Gerhart complained.


    ¡°Is the curse broken?¡± Steffen asked, inspecting his alien clothing.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. An enchantress, Angelique, said she would try attacking Clotilde to break it off. She must have succeeded,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°She what?¡± Gerhart gaped.


    Erick narrowed her eyes. ¡°Angelique, you say? It would be a big gamble to use her magic in Arcainia, even if it is to protect us.¡±


    ¡°We will back her. With the curse broken, we can speak for her,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t be able to do that.¡±


    Elise and the princes of Arcainia whipped around.


    Angelique was at the edge of the pond, mounted on her strange horse. She was a little mussed, but she looked darling and gorgeous instead of resembling a muddied street rat, as Elise suspected she did.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t manage to break the curse or off Clotilde,¡± Angelique said, dismounting from her odd horse. The eerie creature shook its mane, and its black fur seemed to swirl in the moonlight.


    ¡°But we¡¯re back to normal,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Not quite,¡± Angelique said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°Forgive me for my ill-timed introduction. I am Angelique.¡±


    ¡°It is good to see you again, Lady Enchantress,¡± Steffen said, taking Angelique¡¯s hand and bowing over it.


    ¡°I echo my brother¡¯s sentiments,¡± Erick said, smiling enigmatically.

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    Elise grasped the important part of the introduction. ¡°What do you mean not quite?¡±


    ¡°I laid a trap for Clotilde. Although I was able to attack her, I did not win. She is not very good with magic; in fact, she is quite bad at it,¡± Angelique was silent for a moment, as if waiting for a wave of complaints. None of the Arcainian royals protested¡ªthey had been brought up to mind their manners better than that. ¡°However,¡± Angelique continued. ¡°She has an impressive arsenal of premade curses. As a person, she is not strong¡ªshe is barely above petty magics like temporary love charms. But she has gotten hold of some strong magical tools. They were what she used to curse you. There are two of them, I think.¡±Advertisement


    ¡°You were unable to break the artifacts?¡± Steffen asked.


    Angelique shook her head. ¡°No, I am afraid not. I did weaken the curse. I made a crack in it so you will be human for an hour every night when the sun sets, but that is the best I could manage.¡±


    Steffen slowly nodded. Mikk and Nick moved to stand on either side of him like hulking bodyguards. ¡°I see. We thank you; it is more than we ever could have done.¡±


    ¡°Will we be like this forever?¡± Gerhart asked.


    ¡°No,¡± Angelique said. ¡°All hope is not lost. Clotilde can be defeated. I am too weak to defeat her on my own, but if I am joined by a colleague or two, we will be more than a match for her.¡±


    ¡°How long will it take you to gain support for our situation?¡± Falk asked.


    Angelique pressed her lips together. Her eyes were sorrowful and heartbreaking. ¡°I am afraid it will be all summer, if not a year.¡±


    ¡°If you excuse my manners, could you elaborate, Lady Enchantress?¡± Gerhart asked, bowing when Angelique looked in his direction.


    Angelique flipped her hair over one shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate, but the Veneno Conclave knows what I did. They have sent couriers after me, most likely with instructions to bring me before the council. I am not much worried by the prospect of a punishment, but it would be most¡­inconvenient for me at this time as most punishments involve several years of imprisonment.¡±


    ¡°You will have to run,¡± Rune said, grappling for a moment when he discovered he had no sword belt to hook his thumbs on.


    ¡°I can, and I will. I plan to go to Erlauf. I will return to Verglas when I am certain the Conclave is no longer looking for me.¡±


    ¡°Will they give up on you so easily?¡± Erick asked.


    ¡°As soon as another issue captures their attention, I will be forgotten. I merely need to outwait them. After my misdemeanor is forgiven, it will take time to find another enchanter or enchantress to aid me in fighting Clotilde.¡±


    ¡°So we will remain here while we wait? There isn¡¯t much we can do if we¡¯re human for one hour a night,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°We cannot rally support outside Arcainia,¡± Mikk said. ¡°We are easy targets in our swan form.¡±


    ¡°So we waste time, kicking up our heels and waiting?¡± Gerhart asked.


    ¡°Sometimes inaction is the best course, little Gerhie,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that,¡± Gerhart snarled.


    ¡°I am forced to agree with Gerhart,¡± Falk said, his voice quiet and shadowy. ¡°It seems unwise to waste valuable months while Clotilde is raiding the castle. In our absence, she will have access to everything from the armies to the daily vault. With our Father enchanted as he is, she may even get into the treasury.¡±


    ¡°No she won¡¯t,¡± Elise said. When her foster brothers swung around to stare at her. ¡°She cannot get into the treasury,¡± Elise said, picking the gold key that hung from her red sash and waggling it.


    Steffen¡¯s face regained a hint of its usual humor. ¡°I forgot you always wear that. Well done, Elise. Clotilde¡¯s damage will be limited, at least, if she cannot get into the treasury. No magic user or locksmith can force their way inside it without the key. She cannot ruin the country if she does not have access to all our money.¡±


    ¡°Still, the less time we give Clotilde to scheme, the better,¡± Mikk said.


    ¡°What can we do? We can hardly expect Elise to escort us around as our bodyguard when we are swans,¡± Rune said.


    Angelique delicately cleared her throat. ¡°I assumed you would spend the summer breaking your curse,¡± she said when the princes looked to her.


    ¡°Our curse can be broken?¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°What must we do?¡±


    Angelique folded her hands in front of her and waited for the shouts to die down. ¡°It will not be easy¡­ Elise,¡± she said.


    ¡°What?¡± Nick blinked.


    ¡°What does Elise have to do with our curse?¡± Falk asked.


    Rune curled an arm around Elise¡¯s shoulders, drawing her close to him.


    ¡°Unfortunately, princes, you can do nothing to alter your current state. But Elise, if she is willing, can,¡± Angelique said.

 Page 24

    ¡°How?¡± Elise asked, slipping out of Rune¡¯s grasp to get closer to the enchantress.


    Angelique held her finger tips of her right hand together and drew them through the air. The air condensed into a silvery mist before forming a long-stalked, leafy plant. ¡°This is the stinging nettle,¡± Angelique said, rotating the illusion in the air so Elise and the princes could see the sharp looking hairs that poked out of the stalk. ¡°By sewing a great many of these plants into a covering of some sort, the curse can be broken.¡±Advertisement


    ¡°¡­You must be joking,¡± Falk said after several heartbeats of silence.


    ¡°A cover¡ªa shirt would be best¡ªmust be made individually. If you mean to free all your brothers, you must make seven shirts,¡± Angelique continued.


    ¡°We¡¯re not her brothers,¡± Rune said automatically.


    ¡°Additionally, once you undertake this ambition, you cannot speak a word. If you make the shirts, all of those you have made up until the moment you spoke will be useless and will do nothing to break the curse,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°Does it have to be Elise?¡± Gerhart asked. ¡°Why can¡¯t any number of girls do it?¡±


    ¡°It must be one female who takes the burden upon herself, and it takes great strength of character to make the sacrifices that are called for breaking the curse. Do you know any women besides Elise who have the personal fortitude to stay silent for months, perhaps even a year?¡± Angelique asked.


    ¡°What about Gabi?¡± Nick asked.


    Steffen laughed outright. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. Gabrielle couldn¡¯t keep her mouth shut for a minute, much less a month.¡±


    ¡°Gabrielle is needed at Brandis,¡± Angelique said.


    Steffen grew stiff. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°She has a unique tool that will allow her to live side-by-side with Clotilde without any ill effects. She said she plans to remain behind at Brandis and see what she can do to protect Arcainia,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°A tool?¡± Nick said, interested.


    ¡°What tool?¡± Mikk asked.


    ¡°Her cat,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°It is no matter,¡± Steffen said, shrugging. ¡°If Gabrielle stays behind at Brandis, it is just as well. She wouldn¡¯t be much use out here.¡±


    ¡°Steffen, stop being a fool,¡± Gerhart said, taking a step towards his eldest brother.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Rune said, placing his hand in front of him.


    ¡°Why not? He¡¯s being cruel and abusive to his wife, even if she is not here,¡± Gerhart said. ¡°Out of all of us, I would have thought it would be you to correct him, Mr. Hero.¡±


    Rune leaned towards Gerhart and quietly said, ¡°He is using his words to cover up his pain. Ignore it this one time,¡± he advised.


    ¡°Must I sew the shirts, or can I knit and weave the stalks of the stinging nettle to make them?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Knitting or weaving would work just as well, but it will put your hands in much pain,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°But knitting would be faster,¡± Elise persisted.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Angelique admitted. ¡°You could use the stalk of the plant, or if you stomp on the stalks, you will find them to be fibrous.¡±


    ¡°How could this break our curse? The idea that shirts made of prickly plants could undo such a strong curse seems laughable,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°If that is how you view it, yes, it is,¡± Angelique said. ¡°However, you are using logic. Magic deals more with the matters of the heart. The curse Clotilde laid on you was constructed with a basis of hate. Because of her hatred for you, she twisted your lives and ruined you. Only a great sacrifice of love could counterbalance such evil. If Elise attempts to break your curse, she is lavishing more love upon the seven of you than the black hatred Clotilde set against you.¡±


    ¡°Knitting isn¡¯t a sacrifice of love,¡± Gerhart said. ¡°Ow!¡± he muttered when Nick smacked him upside the head again.


    ¡°The fact that you say that reveals a great deal about your character, young prince,¡± Angelique said. Her soft chiding made Gerhart blush and look away, but Angelique answered his question anyway. ¡°By knitting shirts and remaining silent, Elise will essentially devote her life to you. Knitting with stinging nettles will be a painful process. If you will allow me to be frank, it is likely, Elise, that your hands will grow stiff and gnarled as a result of this process. They may never return to their normal levels of function. Additionally, remaining silent is no small feat. It will take a colossal amount of self-control. You may think the task sounds like child¡¯s play, but even I will admit I am hard pressed to think of more than a few situations where the task to break a curse required less dedication or love.¡±


    ¡°Elise, will you do it?¡± Steffen asked.


    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± Rune asked. ¡°We cannot ask her to do this. Not only will it be painful, but the dangers are numerous. We will be swans, and she will be voiceless in a country that is known for its assassin¡¯s guild.¡±

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    ¡°The guild can¡¯t be that good. They failed to eliminate the second prince of Loire,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°There is no reason for Elise to undertake this task,¡± Falk said. ¡°It is likely to take her a long time to perform this so-called sacrifice of love. The Lady Enchantress said she could return in a year. After finding a fellow magic user, they will eliminate Clotilde, and we will be free anyway. The wait would be a year at worst. I doubt you could knit seven shirts in that amount of time, don¡¯t you, Honeysuckle?¡± Falk asked, once again using his mocking nicknames.Advertisement


    ¡°Four months. Possibly three,¡± Elise said.


    Her foster brothers blinked. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I could finish seven shirts in three to four months. It depends what condition my hands are in,¡± Elise said, looking to the sky as she made the mental calculations.


    ¡°You already know how to knit?¡± Mikk asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°You only embroider, though. Father has forcibly shown me your work,¡± Gerhart argued.


    ¡°Now, I only embroider. When I was an orphan, I learned how to knit quite well,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°You¡¯re still an orphan,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not,¡± Elise said, gritting her teeth. ¡°Just because you refuse to acknowledge me, does not mean your parents did not deign to welcome me into your family.¡±


    ¡°Elise, you don¡¯t have to do this. We can wait,¡± Rune said, taking one of Elise¡¯s hands and lifting it to his lips.


    ¡°We cannot,¡± Elise flatly said. ¡°The country needs us. We must return to our posts, and I cannot stand to let that witch win for a moment more than necessary.¡±


    ¡°Elise,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°She¡¯s right. We¡¯re asking a lot of her, but the country needs us,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°You expect too much from her, Steffen,¡± Falk said. ¡°You would not ask Gabrielle to do this.¡±


    ¡°Elise knows her duties,¡± Mikk said.


    Elise sighed and let the princes argue. It was better if they thought she did it only out of a sense of duty. The royal princes of Arcainia were already divided when it came to their differing beliefs regarding her. If they knew she undertook the curse only for them, they would probably start slugging each other.


    The weeks Elise spent with swans¡ªbeautiful but dumb birds¡ªterrified Elise. Ever since Queen Ingrid had selected her as a foster child, Elise had never been alone or unloved. Yes, the royal family hadn¡¯t fully embraced her, but during the days before Angelique arrived, Elise would have given anything just to hear Falk spit out another degrading nickname. That was how much she loved and missed them.


    Elise jumped when Angelique laid her hand upon Elise¡¯s shoulder. ¡°There is one small consolation I can give you,¡± she said. ¡°For the hour your brothers are human, you may speak. But only when they are human. If you utter a single word¡ªeven if it is while they make the switch from swan to prince¡ªyour work will be ruined.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°You will do it, then?¡± Angelique said, ignoring the quarreling brothers.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Be careful. One of the princes mentioned the dangers of being voiceless and without human aid. He spoke the truth. Verglas is free of evil magic, but it has its share of bandits and brutes,¡± Angelique warned.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be safer in another country?¡± Elise asked.


    Angelique shook her head, making her lovely hair sparkle in the moonlight. ¡°No. Verglas is still safest. It offers you protection from Clotilde and any vile magic she may have up her sleeve. No evil or tainted magic can breech the borders of Verglas. It has been so for centuries.¡±


    Elise set her shoulders. ¡°Then we will remain here.¡±


    ¡°I suggest you travel east, and a little farther north. There is a bigger pond there that is more hospitable for humans. It also has a large number of stinging nettles in the forest that borders it,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°I thank you for your wise council,¡± Elise said.


    Angelique snorted, looking more like a normal girl than a breathtaking beauty. ¡°It is hardly wise. I circled it about five times when I couldn¡¯t find you. I had to release the weakened curse and watch which way it went.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you mean. The curse wasn¡¯t instantly weakened when you fought Clotilde?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°It was, but magic¡ªjust like everything else¡ªtakes time to cover distance. There¡¯s only one kind of magic that allows for instantaneous travel, and those able to wield such a power are rare. As such, the broken curse ambled along with me as I sought you out,¡± Angelique explained.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t understand, but I shall take your word for it. Thank you, Lady Enchantress. You do not owe us your help, and I don¡¯t know if we will ever be able to repay you,¡± Elise said.


    Angelique offered Elise a smile that was flavored with sadness. ¡°I know what it is like to lose someone dear to you as the result of an enchantment. I am glad I can help you reclaim your father and foster brothers.¡±

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    Elise bobbed in a curtsey. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Angelique tucked her hand under Elise¡¯s chin, forcing her to look into Angelique¡¯s eyes. ¡°This is a burden they are placing on you, Princess. But I think you underestimate how important you are to them,¡± Angelique trailed off and removed her hand from Elise¡¯s chin, thoughtfully looking at it.Advertisement


    ¡°Lady Enchantress?¡± Elise ventured.


    Angelique shook herself. ¡°Something to think about,¡± she murmured before turning back to her horse. ¡°You cannot wear your uniform. Arcainian work uniforms are impossible to miss, and it will mark you out in a country of cut-throats. Here are some clothes that will suit you better,¡± Angelique said, retreating to her odd mount. She removed a burlap sack from a saddlebag and handed it over to Elise.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Elise said, looking down at her ruined uniform. It was dirty, stained, and ripped beyond repair¡­ but Elise was still pained at the thought of parting with it. It felt like she was giving up her position as department head.


    ¡°We thank you for your aid, Lady Enchantress. When this is all over, if there is anything we can do for you, please do not hesitate to call on us,¡± Steffen said, exiting the family argument.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Angelique said as she climbed her way into the saddle. ¡°I wish you all luck. Be on your guard, but do not fear Clotilde. Evil can never win for long. Farewell,¡± Angelique said.


    Steffen and Elise, the only ones attending to the enchantress¡¯s exit, bowed and curtsied.


    ¡°Good bye.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Lady Enchantress.¡±


    Angelique acknowledged their farewells with the flick of her hand as her night-sky mount carried her into the shadows of the forest. They disappeared from sight shortly after.


    ¡°What will you do, Elise?¡± Steffen asked.


    ¡°Break the curse, of course.¡±


    Steffen scuffed his foot in the sand. ¡°You do not have to. I did not mean to imply you had no choice,¡± he said.


    ¡°You are right; I don¡¯t have to,¡± Elise said, turning to face Steffen. ¡°But if I want our country to survive, if I want you all to survive, I must. And besides, as Mikk said, it is my duty.¡±


    ¡°I know it¡¯s wonderfully responsible of you, but sometimes I wonder if you may be too dutiful,¡± Steffen said.


    Elise smiled. ¡°That is hardly a fault.¡±


    Steffen returned the smile and embraced Elise. ¡°Thank you, sister.¡±


    ¡°Oi, where did the enchantress go? Ouch!¡± Gerhart said when Nick smacked his back.


    ¡°She left. You¡¯re so unobservant, Gerhie,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°I said not to call me that!¡±


    ¡°What do we do?¡± Rune asked.


    ¡°I believe that answer rests with Elise,¡± Erick said, shifting his sharp eyes to her face.


    ¡°Angelique said we should move to a different pond. We can travel there tomorrow in the daylight, when you are all swans. I feel it would be wisest to stay here for the night,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°What¡¯s so good about this new place?¡± Gerhart asked, dodging another smack from Nick.


    ¡°The pond is larger, and Angelique mentioned it would be more hospitable for me. It also has more stinging nettles in the surrounding area.¡±


    ¡°You will try to break our curse?¡± Mikk asked.


    ¡°I won¡¯t try. I¡¯m going to,¡± Elise grimly said. ¡°I never settle for less than perfection. This will not be any different.¡±


    ¡°We certainly lucked out when Mother found you. To think she¡¯d be right after all these years¡ªmind you, this isn¡¯t what I was picturing,¡± Nick said, folding his arms behind his head.


    ¡°What?¡± Elise frowned.


    Mikk elbowed Nick, and Steffen gave Elise one of his statesman smiles. ¡°Nothing. He is merely overcome by gratitude for you.¡±


    ¡°Naturally,¡± Nick coughed.


    ¡°I see,¡± Elise said, unconvinced.


    ¡°I suspect we would better use our time as a human by planning for tomorrow, yes?¡± Erick asked with a harmless smile.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Elise agreed.


    ¡°What direction did Lady Angelique point you in?¡±


    ¡°North east.¡±


    ¡°Wonderful. When the sun rises¡­¡±


    Chapter 5


    Getting her foster brothers/swans brothers to the pond Angelique mentioned was easier than Elise thought it would be. She went first, riding Falk¡¯s horse, and the seven princes of Arcainia followed behind, walking on their black, webbed feet. They chortled and hissed, smacking each other and squabbling amongst themselves every step of the way. They followed Elise, however, with great determination, squawking and flapping their wings to catch up whenever they thought she rode too far ahead of them.

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    Just as Angelique said, the new pond was better for their long-term needs. It was half the size of Castle Brandis, barely skirting being called a small lake. A piece of shore jutted towards the center of the pond, making it heart shaped. It was habited by a pair of wild geese, a flock of ducks, and dozens of croaking frogs and swimming fish.


    The forest lay closer to one of the sandy shores, providing shelter for Elise. There was even a rock formation Elise could huddle against, and one of the rocks had a shelf that extended out, creating a roofed area for days of bad weather.Advertisement


    Elise stored the horse¡¯s tack there, as well as her tattered uniform after she changed into the drab, gray dress Angelique had provided.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve gone stocking foot since Queen Ingrid found me,¡± Elise said to one of her swan brothers who watched her toss her slippers next to the horse tack. ¡°It is a little liberating,¡± she said, twirling once. The gray skirted dress, which fell a few inches below her knees, poofed up.


    Elise released the horse, and he grazed happily in the meadow that butted up to the pond. She took her gold key off her work uniform and shredded her red sash. Using the sash, she braided a long chain, which she slipped the key onto before she tied it around her neck and slid it under her plain dress.


    When she was finished, she found several swans watching her. ¡°I may as well get started,¡± she said when one of the swans rested its head on her bent knee. ¡°Knitting is what we¡¯re here for, after all,¡± she said, stroking the swan¡¯s head before she stood and made her way to the forest.


    Elise started by scavenging for twigs and thin branches she could use as makeshift knitting needles. It took her a while to find two branches that were the proper thickness she was looking for. They were dry, and the bark peeled cleanly off, but Elise was glad to see they did not break easily when she tried snapping them to make each branch the desired length.


    Next Elise, sporting a gaggle of several swans paddling behind her, searched for stinging nettles. She didn¡¯t have to look very long before she found some in the forest. She inspected them, touching the plant stems, which prickled the soft skin of her fingers.


    Elise dug up the plants by their roots. She gathered a large pile and carried them back to the pond where she stripped them of their leaves.


    Several times, Elise stopped to plunge her hands in the cool pond water, grimacing when the water stung the prickles left in her hands.


    The skin on the top of her hands was red and splotchy by the time Elise got started on the first shirt in the late afternoon, tying the first loops¡ªthe cast on¡ªof the shirt on one of her makeshift needles.


    The swans observed her during this process. Usually three or four were stationed around her at any given time, and the rest of them paddled in the pond, nibbling on grasses and catching minnows.


    It seemed to Elise that they weren¡¯t as stupid or beast-like as the day before. She was still clipped by a large white wing several times that day when a swan went dashing past, chasing bugs or a fellow swan, but none of them pecked her, and they seemed more aware of her presence.


    One swan seemed intent on exploring the area. He always returned after several minutes, wiggling his tail feathers and calling to the rest of his brothers, although he often popped out of unexpected places. Once, he nearly fell into Elise¡¯s lap after crashing off the top of the rock formation where Elise had set up her knitting station.


    The swan righted himself and walked away, making Elise wonder which brother it was. (Elise didn¡¯t think it was Rune, but she couldn¡¯t be sure, as none of the swans seemed to stand out as one particular brother.) When the sun started to sink on the horizon, seven swans were waiting on the pond.


    Just like the night before, waves rocked the pond surface, and an odd light grew around each swan. The swans were raised out of the water, their wings outstretched, before they disappeared in a cloud of feathers.


    This time, Elise could hear the enormous splash as each brother hit the water once transformed. The feathers reformed around the princes¡ªmaking their glossy white clothes¡ªand Elise was once again in the presence of the seven princes of Arcainia.


    Falk was the first prince out of the water, barking orders as we went. ¡°Gerhart, start gathering wood suitable for a fire. Erick, we need to build at least one wall to the shelter so Elise can get out of the wind and rain. For this week, a makeshift shelter will work, but we will need to make something more permanent for the future,¡± Falk said, passing Elise without acknowledging her at all. ¡°If you could figure out the structure and mark out the kind of branches to look for, Mikk and Nick will fetch them for you.¡±


    Erick smiled at Elise as he followed in Falk¡¯s wake. ¡°That sounds reasonable. We would do well to secure some sort of rope for her so we could tie the branches together to make a more solid structure,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°Rune,¡± Falk called.


    ¡°She needs a knife,¡± Rune said, water dripping from him as he ambled to Elise¡¯s side.

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    Falk and Erick did a great deal of talking and walking around Elise¡¯s rock structure shelter as the rest of the brothers left the pond.


    ¡°How are you doing, Elise?¡± Rune asked tugging on the ribbon that held Elise¡¯s hair back in a low ponytail.Advertisement


    ¡°Better than could be expected, stop that,¡± Elise said, sliding away from him.


    Rune sighed. ¡°I would question you further, but I need to get started on your knife. Walk with me?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Elise said, glancing at the rest of the Arcainian princes to see what they did. Erick had Mikk and Nick by Elise¡¯s shelter and gestured with his arms to show dimensions of the branches he was looking for.


    Steffen was puttering around on the shore, sorting through rocks.


    Falk ignored the oldest prince as he stalked back to the pond. ¡°Gerhart, what part of now did you not understand?¡± Falk barked.


    Gerhart squeezed water from his clothes. ¡°I thought you were joking. It¡¯s dark; I can¡¯t see anything.¡±


    ¡°The moon is almost full, and we have a limited amount of time to work. Get going,¡± Falk growled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to. I¡¯m only human for an hour. I don¡¯t want to waste that hour doing chores.¡±


    Falk snatched Gerhart¡¯s shirt collar and dragged him towards the woods. ¡°You don¡¯t have a choice. Find firewood or else,¡± Falk barked, barely avoiding Steffen¡ªwho was still puttering with rocks.


    ¡°What is going on?¡± Elise asked Rune as she strolled with him.


    The handsome middle prince weaved up and down the shoreline, his eyes glued to the ground. ¡°We¡¯re trying to ease your burden.¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t expect you to knit us shirts and make a decent camp for yourself. There are seven of us. We should be able to accomplish a decent amount of work in just an hour,¡± Rune said, crouching to pick up a stone. He inspected it before tossing it over his shoulder and moving on.


    ¡°I¡¯m off to find a softwood base,¡± Steffen announced, carrying several rocks as he ventured to the edge of the forest.


    ¡°When did you decide to do this, and how did Falk become the captain of this venture?¡± Elise asked as Falk exited the woods sans Gerhart.


    Falk found Elise¡¯s dress and thoughtlessly ripped one of the sleeves off, making Elise wince. He tied off one end and stomped back into the woods.


    ¡°He knows the woods best. With his line of work in the Agriculture Department he¡¯s learned more about plants and trees than the rest of us combined,¡± Rune said picking up a rock.


    ¡°I would have thought you would be the one most comfortable in the wild,¡± Elise said. ¡°You spend a great deal of your time camping. I don¡¯t know if Falk has ever set up a camp in his entire life.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he has either, but with his knowledge of trees and woods and with Erick¡¯s mind, they could accomplish more than would ever occur to me. And you¡¯re right. I¡¯ve camped the most, but I always stay in temporary camps with a tent. Steffen says we need to make a more permanent site for you. I agree,¡± Rune said, still carrying the rock as he climbed higher up the shore.


    ¡°Can you understand each other as swans?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Goodness no,¡± Rune said. ¡°We outlined all of this last night while you and Steffen were busy talking about what happened with Clotilde after the Lady Enchantress left,¡± Rune said. He found a larger, smooth rock and briefly returned to the pond to dunk his first rock in the water.


    He sat down on the smooth shore and started chipping away at the wet stone. ¡°Sit with me, please? It grieves me that I spend the whole day with you, unable to remember you or converse with you for even a moment,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Do you remember anything as a swan?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Only that you are wildly important to me. I think when I am a swan I think like a swan. Now that I am human again, it is hard to remember what it is like to be a swan,¡± Rune admitted.


    ¡°That should make the days more bearable. It means you won¡¯t be sitting around, worrying,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Perhaps, but it¡¯s not very satisfying,¡± Rune said as he chipped away at the stone.


    Steffen returned, carrying a log that was split in half. ¡°Will this work, Rune?¡±


    Rune briefly inspected the log, feeling its grainy surface. ¡°That¡¯s willow. It will be perfect. Remember the hardwood should be about a foot long and pointed.¡±


    Steffen tossed the log down next to Rune. ¡°I will let you sharpen it to a point,¡± he graciously said, the white of his clothes gleaming in the night as he disappeared back into the woods.


    ¡°Did you say you were making a knife?¡± Elise asked as Rune slowly shaped the stone he hammered away at.


    ¡°A rudimentary one, yes. It won¡¯t be much good as a weapon, but it should make it easier to gather the nettles; you can saw them off at the base with this,¡± Rune said.

 Page 29

    ¡°Can I do anything to help?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°No,¡± Falk stressed as he emerged from the shadows, holding Elise¡¯s ripped sleeve like a sack. ¡°Save these for tomorrow,¡± he instructed, opening it to show Elise the brightly colored berries kept inside. ¡°They¡¯re safe to eat, although they¡¯re going to be tart,¡± he said before he moved on, putting the sleeve of berries on Elise¡¯s dress before he disappeared back into the woods.Advertisement


    ¡°What Falk means to say is that we feel you should sit and relax. You labor for us all day. It is only fair that we should help you however we can,¡± Rune said, holding up the rock he was shaping to get a better look at it in the moonlight. ¡°I might have to delay the knife and work first on getting you a fire. It will be easier to see by firelight.¡±


    Gerhart returned and dumped an armload of dry branches near Elise¡¯s shelter. Mikk and Nick were behind him, dragging branches as thick as Elise¡¯s fist, which Erick leaned against the jutting rock roof to create a basic wall.


    ¡°Tinder,¡± Mikk said to Gerhart, pointing to the meadow where Falk¡¯s horse had spent the afternoon.


    Gerhart rolled his eyes, but waded into meadow, looking for dry grass.


    ¡°How many more logs and branches do you want?¡± Nick asked, dusting his hands off.


    ¡°About double of what you just retrieved. I would dearly love to construct something more dependable, but without rope or any sort of binding agent, this is the best we can do,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll grab Falk¡¯s horse. I can use the girth from his saddle to bundle more wood and balance it on his back¡ªif the fool horse doesn¡¯t run off on me,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°His bit and reins are next to the saddle,¡± Elise called.


    ¡°Righto,¡± Nick said, grabbing the tack. He whistled as he approached Falk¡¯s horse. ¡°Hey there, horsie. Don¡¯t be a brute like your owner, and let me catch you.¡±


    Mikk stayed behind and started ripping dry, flaky bark off some of the firewood Gerhart had collected.


    Elise watched her foster brothers and tried to swallow the knot forming in her throat. ¡°This means a lot to me,¡± she said.


    Rune dropped his chipped rock to ease closer to Elise. He slid an arm around her back and placed his cheek against her head. ¡°I wish I could spare you this ordeal. What we¡¯re doing doesn¡¯t seem like it is nearly enough,¡± he said before a rock whacked him in the back. Rune abruptly pulled away from Elise, wincing in pain. ¡°Ouch.¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Falk said, sounding anything but as he dumped a few handfuls of clover onto Elise¡¯s dress with the berries. ¡°These are edible. They don¡¯t taste like much, but they will fill you when you grow hungry, Lamb,¡± he said before turning on his heels and joining Erick at Elise¡¯s shelter.


    ¡°He sounded angry,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°That¡¯s because he is,¡± Rune said, rubbing the sore spot on his back before he went back to chipping away at his rock.


    ¡°I see,¡± Elise said, watching Falk inspect Erick¡¯s growing wall.


    Some things, even in the worst situations, didn¡¯t ever seem to change.


    Elise knitted as she watched the sun sink behind the trees. Soon it would be sunset, and her foster brothers would be men again for an hour.


    Staring at the sky distracted Elise from the way her fingers burned and stung. Each loop she made with the stinging nettle stem was painful and torturous, but Elise knitted with a stony expression. When she wasn¡¯t eagerly watching for the sun to set, she spent the time making calculations. She mentally remapped Brandis¡¯ operations budget. She calculated the various prices at which the royal house could hope to price their crops. Numbers ran through her mind from the moment she picked up the blistering, burning shirt until she finally set it down again.


    When Elise was busy running sums and mathematical problems through her mind, she didn¡¯t have the capacity to acknowledge the stinging pain in her fingers.


    Because Elise was so deep in thought¡ªshe was calculating how long it would be until Carabas¡¯ harbor would be open¡ªElise didn¡¯t hear the footsteps until they were just behind her.


    Elise whirled around, clutching the shirt to her belly. Her eyes swiveled back and forth as she looked for the source of footsteps. She didn¡¯t see the figure until it stepped out from behind a tree.


    ¡°Princess?¡±


    Elise went slack with relief. It was Brida, the stone-faced captain.


    Brida approached Elise cautiously. She wore plain breeches and a black shirt, and her hair was pulled back in a pretty braid. But even out of uniform, one could not mistake Brida for anything but a warrior. For starters, there was a sword buckled to her side, and Elise would bet her last copper that there were daggers tucked up her sleeves and in her boots. She walked with a grace that was different from females who minced along in pretty dresses. She was thicker and taller than most females, but she was lean, and her eyes were always watchful.

 Page 30

    Elise offered Brida a wan smile.


    ¡°What are you doing out here? Are you knitting?¡± Brida asked, her eyes going to the horrible shirt Elise still clung to. ¡°Where are your brothers?¡±Advertisement


    Elise nodded her head to the pond where the swans paddled around¡ªeither uninterested in Brida¡¯s entrance, or filled with too many swan thoughts to rally any curiosity.


    ¡°Where are your brothers?¡± Brida repeated, speaking loudly and over enunciating.


    Out of everyone to find Elise, why did it have to be Brida? Deciding the guard captain would eventually figure out that the swans were her brothers, or they would transform in front of the guard and then she could figure it out, Elise sat back down and went back to knitting.


    However, Brida was not someone you could easily put off. The bossy female crouched down in front of Elise and put her hand on top of the shirt. ¡°What are you¡ª,¡± she yelped and drew her hand back when the plants pricked her palm. ¡°Have you gone mad?¡± Brida asked, never one to sweeten her words.


    Elise carefully moved the shirt away from Brida.


    ¡°I have a message for you from Princess Gabrielle,¡± Brida said, reaching inside her shirt to withdraw a sealed envelope.


    Elise reached for it, but Brida held it out of range. ¡°I¡¯m not giving it to you until you tell me what is going on.¡±


    Elise patiently held out her hand.


    ¡°No,¡± Brida said, shaking her head. ¡°Get a hold of yourself, Princess, and tell me what¡¯s going on. If you can control yourself and put aside your foolish emotions, I will give you the letter.¡±


    Brida¡¯s arrogance and the way she talked sent a spark of irritation through Elise, but she kept her expression bland as she started at the letter.


    ¡°No,¡± Brida shook her head. ¡°Not until you stop acting petty.¡±


    She thought Elise was being petty, did she? Elise glanced down at her hand to assure herself that some of the sharp hairs and thorns from the stinging nettle plant were stuck in her skin. (There were some, drawing tiny pinpricks of blood.) Elise smacked her open hand on top of Brida¡¯s, the stuck nettles scratching the soft, delicate skin on the top of captain¡¯s hand.


    Brida yelped and fell on her rear. Elise used the moment of distraction to snatch the letter from Brida. She tore open the envelope and removed the letter, reading it before Brida recovered.


    My dearest sister,


    I assume Angelique has already visited you and informed you of our failure. Angelique told me there was little hope that my husband and your brothers would ever return to normal. But there is a small possibility, should you be willing to take it.


    I must confess I do not know you as well as I should, but I am confident of the love you have for your brothers. If there is a way to save them, I am positive you will pursue it.


    Keeping that in mind, I have sent Brida for your disposal. I am aware you two have some differences, (Elise internally snorted.) But Brida is unfailingly loyal to our family, and I dare not send anyone else. She will guard you and see to your needs¡ªalthough I would never venture to call her a maid, if I were you. You would probably get a black eye for your mistake, F¨¹rstin or not.


    I wish you luck with your task and our beloved family. I am sorry I failed you, but I shall do my best in your absence.


    With all the luck in the world, Gabrielle


    Elise was grateful Gabrielle had thought to send a guard. Elise would be safer with Brida around. Brida was a skilled warrior, had a healthy set of lungs, and she had brought weapons.


    But still¡­ did it have to be Brida?


    Brida was rubbing the top of her hand and looking reproachfully at Elise. ¡°Princess,¡± she said, grinding her teeth. ¡°I do not know what is wrong with you, but could you please direct me to your brothers?¡±


    Elise stared at Brida. Hadn¡¯t Gabrielle told her of her brother¡¯s plight? (Or flight, really, if one wanted to be technical.) Elise stood, carrying the letter and her ugly shirt, and walked to the edge of the pond.


    The sun was almost set. Elise couldn¡¯t be sure since the trees blocked the last of its descent, but judging on the light, her brothers would be available for a chat with Brida in a few minutes.


    ¡°Princess,¡± Brida said, sounding a little like Falk in her frustration. She walked up to Elise and put her hands on her shoulders, forcing Elise to turn around. ¡°What, in the name of all that is holy, are you¡ª,¡± Brida broke off her lecture and jumped backwards when a swan furiously paddled across the pond and clambered onto shore, hissing and lunging at Brida.


    Brida took a few steps before she stopped and held her ground. To her credit, she did not grapple for a weapon. Instead she narrowed her eyes and studied the upset bird.


    Several other swans ringed around Elise, forming a white, waist high wall of protection.

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    ¡°Oh,¡± Brida said after her eyes swept across the pond, and she did the math.


    The swans scampered back into the pond, floating on its tumultuous surface. They started to glow and extended their wings before they disappeared in a storm cloud of white feathers.Advertisement


    When the light faded and seven princes were left behind, sloshing in the water, Brida went down on one knee. ¡°My Lords,¡± she said.


    Falk, just as blunt as Brida, plunged past greetings. ¡°What did you hope to accomplish by bullying Elise, Captain Meier?¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡± Brida said, lifting her head up.


    ¡°Bullying might be a bit of a strong word to use, don¡¯t you think?¡± Nick asked, shaking his leg to get rid of dripping water.


    ¡°I am disappointed in you, Captain Meier,¡± Rune said in a gentle voice as he moved next to Elise, placing a warm hand on her lower back. ¡°I thought you were more patient, and that you would realize Elise is not one to act oddly without a good reason.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Prince Rune,¡± Brida said, staring at the ground.


    ¡°You won¡¯t do it again now, will you? What Elise does, she does for our sake,¡± Steffen said with his portrait smile. ¡°Please stand, Captain Meier. In spite of our words, we are thankful you have come. What news do you have for us?¡±


    ¡°I had a letter to deliver to Princess Elise,¡± Brida said.


    When Steffen whipped around to face Elise, Elise held out the letter. ¡°It doesn¡¯t say much,¡± she said. ¡°Gabrielle probably wrote so little in case it was intercepted.¡±


    Brida twitched at the sound of Elise¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Patience, Captain. We will explain the situation once we hear yours first,¡± Falk said, standing between the captain and Elise.


    ¡°There isn¡¯t much to tell, Prince Falk. The guards and I knew something was wrong when all eight of the royal children disappeared. There were whispers, rumors that Clotilde did something to you. An enchantress launched an attack against Queen Clotilde. Your subjects did their best to help, but Queen Clotilde was able to throw the lady enchantress off her. I know the enchantress and Princess Gabrielle spoke together for some time, for I guarded their meeting. The enchantress left, and Crown Princess Gabrielle summoned a number of captains and military men she trusted. I was among them. She explained to us that you had been cursed, although she did not say how. She asked me to track the enchantress to the location where I would find Princess Elise and all of the royal Princes. The rest of the men, I believe, she organized to create a resistance force.¡±


    ¡°How do they resist?¡± Mikk asked.


    ¡°I only heard very few of the plans, for Princess Gabrielle thought it would be best to leave immediately¡ªin the end it did not matter for I could not track the enchantress at all and had to rely on luck,¡± Brida said, standing at attention.


    ¡°Humph. Elise, come with me,¡± Falk said, pulling Elise along by her elbow.


    ¡°But¡ª,¡±


    ¡°No buts. The others will explain the nature of the curse to her,¡± Falk said, dragging Elise into the dim forest. Falk kicked at plants, his expression cold as he looked through the underbrush in the nearly extinguished sunlight.


    ¡°What are we doing?¡± Elise asked.


    Falk ignored the question and hunkered over, digging plants out of the ground.


    ¡°Falk?¡±


    ¡°Rub this on your hands. The undersides¡ªthe spores will ease the itching,¡± Falk said, slapping several large, leafy ferns into Elise¡¯s hands.


    Surprised, Elise meekly did as she was told, hissing when the first touch of the fern burned almost as badly as the stinging nettles themselves. The longer Elise rubbed, though, the better her fingers felt. The angry red splotches eased some, although several open wounds still oozed blood, and the burning gave way to a dull ache.


    Some of the tension left Elise with the pain, and she closed her eyes. ¡°Thank you, Falk.¡±


    Falk rustled around in the underbrush, ripping at more ferns, and didn¡¯t reply.


    Elise used the other fern leaf on her other hand, allowing a slight smile to ease across her lips.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t made for this kind of work,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    Falk straightened up, holding a pile of fern leaves in his arms. ¡°This terrible task¡ªit is too much to ask of you. It worries me.¡±


    Just like that Elise¡¯s smile was gone. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be afraid. I will break the curse. You might not think me competent, but I¡¯m stubborn enough to see us through this.¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Then what did you mean to say?¡±


    Falk¡¯s shoulders moved in an almost imperceptible shrug. He led the way back to Elise¡¯s camp, placing the ferns in Elise¡¯s shelter by the rock.


    ¡°Falk, Elise, come see what Brida thought to bring¡ªthe smart girl,¡± Nick called.


    Steffen stood on the water¡¯s edge, Gabrielle¡¯s letter dangling from his hands. Mikk, Nick, Erick, and Gerhart were huddled around Brida¡¯s saddlebags and horse.

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    ¡°Flint¡ªbeautiful! Here, Mikk, catch. You are brilliant, Brida,¡± Nick said, tossing two rocks to his twin.


    Mikk caught the rocks and walked over to the prepared tinder pile¡ªfor in the end, Steffen had been unable to accomplish his assigned task the previous night before the hour was over.Advertisement


    ¡°I brought only what any competent soldier would bring,¡± Brida said, inspecting Elise¡¯s few belongings with obvious disapproval.


    ¡°Elise, how much did you knit today? I would like to calculate the length of time it will take you to finish our clothing,¡± Erick asked.


    ¡°Did you really bring nothing but the horse and his tack when you left Castle Brandis?¡± Brida asked.


    ¡°Elise didn¡¯t have much time, and she doesn¡¯t have the training to keep a cool head as you do,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°Nick,¡± Mikk said as he scraped the flint stones together to make a spark.


    ¡°What?¡± Nick blinked.


    Mikk didn¡¯t respond and tried to fan the sparks into tiny flames on the dry bark and grass tinder.


    ¡°The shirts, Elise. How much did you complete?¡± Erick reminded Elise.


    ¡°Not very much, I bet,¡± Gerhart snorted.


    Elise grew tense at the words being cast around her. Her heart tightened until Rune, her rock, placed an arm around Elise¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Enough. Elise is just as cursed as we are, perhaps more so. She deserves an hour¡¯s reprieve,¡± he said to his brothers before whispering into Elise¡¯s ears. ¡°Walk with me?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°How are your hands? Do they hurt terribly?¡± Rune asked as they left the camp, strolling along the shore. His hazel eyes were colored with concern as he brushed a hand against Elise¡¯s cheek.


    ¡°It has been better since Falk told me to rub them with a fern plant he found,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Can I do anything for you? Is there anything I could do that would bring you even a little comfort?¡± Rune asked, his hand resting against her neck.


    Elise smiled. ¡°Just being with you is enough, Rune.¡±


    Rune abruptly stopped walking. He grabbed Elise and dragged her to him, tucking her head in the curve of his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed tightly.


    Elise blinked several times in shock. ¡°Rune?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said.


    Elise shifted uncomfortably before she hooked her elbow across Rune¡¯s other shoulder.


    In Rune¡¯s arms, Elise felt safe and warm. She could forget the ache in her hands, and the fact that he would be swan again in a short time. Elise could depend on Rune. He was sincere.


    ¡°This is difficult for you as well,¡± Elise guessed when Rune finally released her.


    ¡°It is frustrating. I try to remember who I am, who you are, when I am a swan, but I can¡¯t,¡± Rune said, hooking Elise¡¯s arm through his before they started strolling again.


    ¡°Perhaps you will get better at it,¡± Elise said. ¡°Besides, I don¡¯t think any of your brothers remember any more than you do. All of you run around and chase bugs and eat most of the day.¡±


    ¡°Falk remembers. I don¡¯t know how much, but he better retains his humanity than the rest of us,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°None of this is your fault, Rune. You¡¯re doing the best you can. There¡¯s no need to compare yourself to another.¡±


    ¡°Rune, Mikk wants you,¡± Falk said.


    Elise would have leaped backwards if Rune wasn¡¯t holding her arm. ¡°Why?¡± Rune said. His voice was cold.


    ¡°Brida brought fishing line with her. He wants to catch fish to get Elise a decent dinner.¡±


    Rune exhaled in obvious aggravation¡ªa rare display for the usually sunny tempered hero. ¡°Fine,¡± he said, dropping Elise¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Elise. You should return and see what else Brida brought.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Elise said, obediently following her middle foster brother.


    They were only a short distance from the camp, but when she rejoined her brothers, Elise felt like she had been wrenched back into reality.


    Erick was crouched over Elise¡¯s knitting project, measuring it with a stick. Brida was tending to her mount, tying it to a tree with Falk¡¯s horse.


    ¡°If we chop down a few saplings, it should be easy enough to make a pen to put the horses in at night. We can¡¯t risk them running off,¡± Nick said, admiring the hand axe Brida had brought.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to take you more than one night to do that,¡± Gerhart said.


    ¡°Yes, but it will be time well spent. Care to help me, Gerhie?¡±


    ¡°Not in your life.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Gerhie, so young, so selfish,¡± Nick sighed.


    ¡°Elise, Mikk got a fire going so we can use torches now. Would you like company to gather some more stinging nettles?¡± Steffen asked.


    ¡°I have enough for tomorrow,¡± Elise said.


    Steffen handed her the rock knife Rune had fashioned for her. ¡°Yes, but you¡¯ll need more after that. I know I cannot help you pick, but I could keep you company,¡± Steffen said, glancing at the shirt Erick was studying from a different angle.


    Elise swallowed the knot in her throat. Obviously her brothers didn¡¯t think she was working fast enough. ¡°Alright,¡± she agreed.


    ¡°That¡¯s our Perfect Princess.¡±


    ¡°Always,¡± Elise grimly said. ¡°Always.¡±

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    Chapter 6


    Three days after Brida¡¯s arrival, Elise sat on the sandy pond bank, watching her foster brothers in their swan bodies. It was only a hunch, but Elise thought she could occasionally discern which swan was which prince.Advertisement


    Gerhart, or the swan Elise thought was Gerhart, spent an exorbitant amount of time swimming back and forth in front of the females from the flock of ducks. He tucked his head and looked inviting and elegant as he swam across the pond surface.


    Nick, and as a result Mikk, was easy to pick out. Nick spent his afternoons swimming after the pair of geese, badly imitating their honks and doing his best to be a general pest. Mikk usually swam several feet behind him, plucking out one of Nick¡¯s feathers when he felt his twin grew too annoying.


    Elise watched Nick perform a poor goose honk imitation as she stiffly tied another stem of stinging nettle into her knitting project. She was grateful for Nick¡¯s antics. They made the knitting just a little more bearable.


    Every stitch, every move was agony for Elise. It felt like her hands were on fire. Each plant embedded so many tiny hairs in her fingers, Elise gave up trying to remove them at night.


    Elise looked up when Brida sat near her with a thump. The captain brushed sweat from her forehead and dropped her axe on the ground.


    Elise turned around like an owl to look at Brida¡¯s project¡ªthe horse pen Nick had started on. It was finished, the corner posts pounded in and makeshift logs crisscrossed to form walls.


    Brida mopped her face with a handkerchief. ¡°I forgot. I was supposed to give this to you,¡± Brida said, passing a rolled up letter to Elise.


    Elise set her knitting aside and eagerly took the letter. She glanced at Brida as she unrolled it.


    ¡°I apologize, Princess. As I said, I forgot,¡± Brida repeated, her words lacking in conviction.


    Elise shook her head before she glanced at the bottom of her letter. A smile leaped to her lips. It was from Mertein!


    F¨¹rstin Elise, Prinzessin Gabrielle said I may write you a letter as it is likely I will not see you for some time. I am not certain this letter will find you, but I hope it does.


    I am engaged to marry another.


    Elise stared at the words. She had to read them three times before their meaning sunk in and she was able to read on.


    My family heavily invested in ships and cargo to use when the Carabas harbor opens. The more delayed the harbor opening is, the worse it looks for my family.


    Since you have left, the harbor has been delayed indefinitely as the country hasn¡¯t the funds to continue. I had no choice. To save my family, I have become engaged to an heiress.


    I cannot sacrifice my family to wait for you, Elise, and even before family¡¯s monetary problems fell on me, I knew I would not be able to marry you, in spite of your affection for me.


    I am a coward for writing this to you now, when you have lost everything, but I do not want to mislead you. I should have told you in person when I had the chance.


    Please forgive me, F¨¹rstin. I think in time you will understand why I¡­


    Elise could read no farther. She didn¡¯t want to read empty excuses. They would bring her no comfort.


    The letter dropped from Elise¡¯s hands as she stared at the pond where the swan princes swam.


    ¡°Princess?¡± Brida said, rocking to her knees when the first of Elise¡¯s tears fell.


    Elise clasped a hand to her mouth, biting her knuckle to keep her sobs and screams bottled in. Even now she had to sacrifice for her brothers. She couldn¡¯t let one noise escape for their sake, even when all Elise wanted to do was cry until she was empty.


    ¡°Princess Elise, what is wrong?¡± Brida asked, crouching next to Elise.


    Elise genuinely liked Mertein.


    She had chosen him because of his family and their standing, yes, but she had chosen him because of his easy smile and sweet temperament. Mertein never expected more from her. He didn¡¯t require perfection. He was affectionate, easy to talk to, and sweet. She was never absolutely certain they would marry, but she thought that would be because her father would be forced to send her to another country, not because Mertein would marry another!


    ¡°Princess,¡± Brida said, her voice taking on a note of panic as she placed her hands on Elise¡¯s shoulders and shook her.


    Elise¡¯s heart ached¡ªthrobbing worse than her burning fingers.


    Mertein was the one personal choice she made. Just like everything else in her life, she knew he had to be suitable, yes, but there were at least a dozen other men who were just as suitable. It was Mertein Elise had hoped for.


    And now he had abandoned her.


    Elise picked up the letter and tore it right beneath the words ¡°I am engaged to marry another.¡±


    She gave the top half of the letter to Brida and stood, crumpling the rest of the letter in her fist. She grabbed the shirt she was working on before she retreated to the woods, tears still falling from her eyes.


    Even in great sorrow Elise had to be perfect.

 Page 34

    The following day, Elise sat with her brothers around the fire, knitting in the orange light. Telling them about Mertein when they turned human the night before had been pure torture¡ªGerhart and Mikk didn¡¯t seem to care, Falk and Erick acted as if they expected it all along. Nick made a badly received joke about it. Only Rune and Steffen were sympathetic.


    Thankfully, though, they seemed to pick up on Elise¡¯s sorrow and did their best to spare Elise¡¯s feelings. Or so she thought.Advertisement


    ¡°Based on the rate at which Elise is knitting, we can expect to be human again by midsummer,¡± Erick pronounced.


    ¡°Do you think you¡¯ll be able to speed up as you get better at this, Elise?¡± Nick asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say,¡± Elise said. ¡°It did take most of my first day to remember how to knit and cast on and purl. After I complete this first shirt¡ªand I use that description loosely, it¡¯s more like a shrug of some sort¡ªit should be easier.¡±


    ¡°Imagine that. Elise isn¡¯t perfect at something,¡± Gerhart sneered.


    ¡°Gerhart,¡± Rune warned as he emerged from the woods with an armload of firewood.


    ¡°I¡¯m not certain I will be able to knit faster, though,¡± Elise continued, clenching her teeth to keep herself from snarling at Gerhart.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Nick asked.


    ¡°Because it hurts a great deal to do this, and my fingers are growing stiff and inflexible,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°If Brida is willing, she should scout out the area during daylight. There may be a village nearby where we could purchase a salve or dressing for Elise¡¯s hands,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Excellent idea. Would you mind terribly, Captain Meier?¡± Rune asked, flashing her a dazzling smile.


    ¡°Not at all Prince Rune,¡± Brida easily agreed.


    ¡°We appreciate your willingness, Brida,¡± Nick said.


    Mikk nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Elise is just being a girl,¡± Gerhart said, rolling his eyes. ¡°Falk already found her those plants to help with the pain.¡±


    ¡°I hate you,¡± Elise said, the words were out of her mouth before she thought them through, but even after she spoke Elise wasn¡¯t sorry. She was sick of subjecting herself to Gerhart¡¯s bad temper.


    ¡°So the Perfect Princess hates someone. Maybe she¡¯s not so perfect after all,¡± Gerhart said.


    ¡°I have done nothing wrong to you. I have spent months, if not years, putting up with your temper tantrums, and I refuse to deal with them anymore as I spend my days making sacrifices for you,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°You have done nothing to me?¡± Gerhart sputtered. ¡°Do you have any idea what I¡¯ve gone through because of you?¡±


    ¡°Gerhart,¡± Falk warned.


    ¡°All day long all I hear is how wonderful you are, how great you are, how you¡¯re going to be the family savior. Why can¡¯t you be more like your sister, Gerhart? She¡¯s so young, and she¡¯s already in charge of a department, Gerhart!¡±


    ¡°Your jealousy is not my problem,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Funny, I said the same thing to my dear brothers, and they didn¡¯t seem to think so.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t making any sense.¡±


    ¡°Then maybe you should try talking to Falk and your precious Rune. You didn¡¯t know they¡¯ve been going behind your back, intimidating anyone who looks twice at you, huh? I¡¯m surprised your dearest Mertein held out as long as he did.¡±


    Elise turned to look at Falk and Rune, who were standing next to each other. Her voice was quiet but as sharp as a sword when she asked, ¡°What is he talking about?¡±


    ¡°You never noticed?¡± Gerhart continued, unable to shut up. ¡°Falk is over the moon for you, and Rune has spent years keeping him away from you. You think you know your golden-boy-hero? You should see him when he¡¯s threatening someone to make them stay away from you. He¡¯s real heroic then.¡±


    ¡°GERHART,¡± Rune snapped.


    Elise stared unseeingly at her foster brothers. ¡°What?¡±


    There was an uncomfortable silence for several moments before Mikk spoke. ¡°So, it will take Elise to midsummer to free us,¡± he said.


    ¡°Oh, no,¡± Elise said, scrambling to her feet. ¡°You owe me an explanation. What is Hart talking about?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Elise,¡± Rune said, his voice once again warm and light. ¡°Ignore him. Gerhart has always been jealous of you,¡± he said.


    ¡°No, he hasn¡¯t,¡± Elise said. When Queen Ingrid had first plucked her from palace service¡ªwhere she had discovered Elise¡ªGerhart was the friendliest out of all the brothers. He was Elise¡¯s companion as a child. It was only about three years ago that he started getting prickly. At first Elise thought it was because he was growing up, but when it continued, she realized there was no reasonable explanation.


    ¡°Focusing on the task at hand would be wisest,¡± Erick said. ¡°We must break our curse and free Father from Clotilde. It is our duty.¡±

 Page 35

    It was Erick¡¯s mistake to speak of duty.


    ¡°Our duty? Since when was this our duty?¡± Elise asked. ¡°Angelique made it clear this is my duty. It has always been this way, hasn¡¯t it? I have been valued by this family because of what I do. I do the things no one else wants to do.¡±Advertisement


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who acts the part of Perfect Princess,¡± Gerhart muttered.


    ¡°You think I WANT to be perfect? I hate the flute. I wish I could break my instrument in half! Horses terrify me, but I force myself to go riding for the sake of this festering family. I would rather eat glass than converse with the smug Sole Ambassador, but none of it is good enough for you! No matter what I do, you want more. You don¡¯t even like me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± Nick started to say.


    ¡°Oh, is it? Is that why you have so much fun picking at what I do?¡± Elise asked, folding her arms across her chest.


    ¡°I never¡ª,¡±


    ¡°You always do. Not like any of the others are any better. Steffen only likes me because I¡¯m the one sibling he can get to do whatever he wants. All he has to do us utter the words duty, and I will do it. Mikk has never bothered to hide his distaste of me; Erick is just as bad as Steffen as he constantly reminds me that I need to perform better, that I have to do more.¡±


    ¡°I do not¡ª,¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you dare to say that when you just got over asking me if I could knit faster! At least Hart is openly bratty and doesn¡¯t even pretend to like me. And you two,¡± Elise said, twisting to face Rune and Falk. ¡°I don¡¯t believe a word of what Hart said about you. It¡¯s impossible. Everyone knows Falk hates me.¡±


    Rune and Falk were silent, and Elise lost some of her certainty.


    ¡°Rune, you didn¡¯t bully Mertein,¡± Elise said, changing tactics.


    Rune opened his mouth but said nothing.


    ¡°He did it only because he is in love with you, Elise,¡± Nick said.


    Elise shook her head. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think he won¡¯t let you call him brother?¡± Gerhart said.


    ¡°Elise,¡± Rune said, reaching for her.


    Elise leaped backwards. ¡°Who are you really?¡± she whispered.


    ¡°Elise, you¡¯re over-wrought,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Of course I am!¡± Elise snarled. ¡°The one brother I counted on is-is..! I lost the man I wanted to marry because of YOU. Mertein was my personal choice, and he¡¯s gone because I¡¯m out here sacrificing for you, and you all expect me to.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t expect¡ª,¡±


    ¡°Then why are you treating me like this? The second you turn human you want to know my progress. You push me to knit in the firelight, to collect more stinging nettles. You won¡¯t let me do anything but sleep, eat, and knit! This stupid shirt is red because I¡¯m bleeding on it! And you all act like Brida is saving the world because she¡¯s doing things so I can knit more! I HATE you! Forget breaking the curse by midsummer¡ªI¡¯m not going to knit as much as another loop. You all can stay swans for the rest of your lives. I DON¡¯T CARE!¡± Elise said.


    She left the firelight and stomped into the woods.


    ¡°Elise,¡± Rune called.


    Elise heard one of her foster brothers move, as if to follow her, and she bolted. She raced blindly through the dark trees, crashing through bushes and almost wiping out on a fallen log.


    When the glow of the campfire couldn¡¯t be seen anymore, Elise found a giant tree and started climbing. She lost her grip a few times, and the bark scratched her already injured hands, but when Elise was high enough, she found a cradle in the center of the tree formed by three large branches stretching out in different directions.


    Elise huddled there, tears streaming from her eyes.


    ¡°Elise!¡± an Arcainian prince called.


    ¡°Eliiiiise!¡±


    ¡°Elise!¡±


    Elise closed her eyes and covered her ears, blocking out the shouts. She was exhausted; she felt horribly alone, and she didn¡¯t know what to do.


    ¡°Elise!¡±


    ¡°Eeeeliiiise!¡±


    Elise woke to the scraping noise of a knife on wood. She slowly opened her eyes, grimacing and rolling her shoulders, which had grown stiff in her unusual sleeping position in the tree. After anchoring herself to a branch, Elise leaned over the side to look for the source of the noise.


    Brida was sitting at the base of Elise¡¯s tree, whittling away at a chunk of wood. ¡°I waited until sunrise to track you through the forest,¡± Brida said.


    Elise leaned back into her spot on the tree. How does she know I¡¯m awake?


    ¡°Your brothers looked for you until they had to return to the pond. They¡¯re worried.¡±


    Elise rolled her eyes. They were probably more worried that Elise wasn¡¯t going to knit their shirts.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t intend to talk to them tonight, I would like to tell them you are safe.¡±

 Page 36

    Elise closed her eyes and leaned back into the embrace of the tree. Her stomach growled like a starving bear. Elise tried to muffle the noises by wrapping her arms around her waist.


    She nearly jumped out of the tree when rope hit the branch next to her. It slid off the surface and fell back to the ground. Another swing and the rope sailed over the branch. The end was weighted down with a stone, so it made a rudimentary pulley of a sort. After some scuffling on the ground, Brida used the rope to heft up a small parcel of food containing berries, some edible plants, and a little bit of cheese.Advertisement


    ¡°Eat, Princess,¡± Brida advised, sitting down on the ground again, placing her back to the tree as she kept whittling.


    Elise took the food, setting it on her knees. Her stomach growled again, so Elise reluctantly started with the berries. She occasionally leaned out of her tree to glance at Brida far below. The captain kept whittling, not looking at all inclined to move.


    Night fell. Elise remained in her tree.


    ¡°I¡¯m going back to the campsite. It¡¯s not safe to leave you out here, but¡­,¡± Brida trailed off and scuffed a boot in the ground. ¡°Here, take this,¡± she said, using her pulley system to send a canvas bag up to Elise.


    In the bag was a wooden whistle.


    ¡°Blow it if you are in trouble¡ªwhether now or when you can¡¯t speak. And gather up the rope if you don¡¯t want to be sniffed out by your brothers,¡± Brida said before trudging off through the woods. ¡°I will be back once I get more supplies and tell your brothers you are safe,¡± she called before she disappeared into the undergrowth.


    Elise stretched out in her tree and stared up at the green canopy of leaves above her. She didn¡¯t think much time had passed, so she almost fell out of her tree when torchlight lit up the forest.


    ¡°Brida came from this direction, so Elise must be somewhere in this part of the forest.¡±


    It was Rune.


    ¡°That may be, but you do realize when she sees us there¡¯s a good chance she might attempt to impale you with something?¡±


    And Steffen.


    ¡°Elise would never hurt us,¡± Rune said, brandishing the torch high above his head.


    ¡°Oh no, she would not hurt me. I didn¡¯t mislead her and lie to her about my feelings and the feelings of my greatest rival for the past three or four years or bully her sweetheart. No, if she is going to hurt someone it¡¯s going to be you. I¡¯m along so I can properly apologize and drag you back to the pond after you pass out from blood loss.¡±


    ¡°How thoughtful of you.¡±


    ¡°I can be a decent older brother.¡±


    Elise peered out of her tree, watching her foster brothers weave through the trees.


    ¡°This just proves that honesty is the best policy,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Are you referring to Falk and me?¡±


    ¡°To a certain extent, yes. Did you already know Elise is afraid of horses?¡±


    ¡°Yes. She told me when I found her weeping in the stables several years ago.¡±


    ¡°What about the flute?¡±


    ¡°I did not know she hated it, but I knew she didn¡¯t like it. She told me as much when she first started learning it.¡±


    ¡°Why. Why did she tell you?¡±


    The pair was just a stone¡¯s throw from Elise¡¯s tree.


    ¡°Because I asked,¡± Rune said.


    Steffen sighed. ¡°No wonder she¡¯s furious with you. She told you all the things she told no one else, and you never thought to open your great big yap to let her know you were in love with her.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything because you and Father forbid it.¡±


    ¡°That was before Clotilde waltzed into the picture.


    ¡°Would you care to discuss your feelings for Gabrielle at this moment?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± Steffen said, stopping two trees away from Elise¡¯s lookout.


    ¡°Exactly. What is it?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. I changed my mind, I¡¯m going back to the camp. Elise could be anywhere in this forest. We¡¯re better off trying to persuade Brida to tell us where she is.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not going to budge.¡±


    ¡°Even if she doesn¡¯t, my time will be spent just as well as yours,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Can you find your way back in the dark? I need the torch.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll manage.¡±


    ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll see you before we transform back into swans.¡±


    ¡°I suppose. Walk carefully,¡± Steffen said as Rune started to walk away.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Rune called over his shoulder.


    After the light from his torch faded, Steffen stayed still in the utter darkness. ¡°Elise?¡±


    Elise jumped in her tree cradle. How does he know I¡¯m here?


    ¡°Elise, I don¡¯t think I can apologize for our conduct. There were things we didn¡¯t know, things I didn¡¯t know, but that doesn¡¯t excuse us. You are right. We lean too heavily upon you, and we take it for granted that you will save the day¡ªwhether it be by charming Father when he¡¯s angry at the rest of us, or safely escorting us around when we¡¯re nothing but swans.¡±


    Elise stubbornly remained silent.

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    ¡°But you underestimate our feelings for you. You have no idea how difficult it is to see your baby sister¡­ We can¡¯t fix this,¡± Steffen said.


    Elise looked up at these words, not because of what they meant but because of the way Steffen said them. Steffen typically wore an immobile fa?ade of good humor. Rarely would one see him angry, and the only time Elise could ever recall seeing sorrow on his face was when Queen Ingrid died. But now Elise could hear Steffen¡¯s voice wobble with emotion.Advertisement


    ¡°It¡¯s not that we can¡¯t free ourselves as swans. It is that we can¡¯t do anything to protect you. We¡¯re stupid birds by day, understanding very little and remembering even less. Even if we knew, what could we do for you? It is terrible, Elise, to watch you undertake such pain and suffering for us when we can do nothing in return. I was determined to never sacrifice any of my siblings, and that is precisely what we¡¯ve done to you.¡±


    Steffen was silent for a few moments before he continued. ¡°There is nothing worse as a prince, or as a man, than to see someone you care deeply for suffering and to be unable to fix it. As a result, I fear we may appear to be callous to you because we¡¯re festering in our selfishness, wondering if all of this is worth it if we can¡¯t even protect our sister.¡±


    A twig cracked when Steffen shifted. ¡°None of this excuses our behavior, but we owed you an explanation. I am sorry, Elise. I never thought you would put up a front as I do.¡±


    The silence stretched on again as Steffen gathered his thoughts. ¡°Angelique, the Lady Enchantress, will be able to free us in a year. We will gladly wait until then. You are free to do whatever you want, Elise. You have already saved us by bringing us to Verglas. We can ask nothing further of you. Think on what you would like to do, sister. We will do everything in our power to see you happy. Sweet dreams, Elise,¡± Steffen said.


    He crunched on leaves and twigs as he marched back in the direction of their camp.


    Elise sat in her tree and listened to her older brother walk away.


    ¡°Freedom isn¡¯t want I wanted. I just want to be included,¡± Elise murmured.


    Chapter 7


    The following day, Elise was too stiff to stay in her tree for the day. Instead, she retrieved her knitting¡ªif she was being honest with herself she knew she could never leave her foster brothers as swans no matter how tumultuous their relationship was at the moment¡ªand sat out of sight in the forest, intending to retreat to a tree when the hour of transformation arrived.


    She sat on the opposite side of the rock formation she used as shelter, out of sight of the pond and thus her foster brothers.


    Brida did not speak much, if at all. The guard captain practiced her sword form and archery for a few hours before grooming the horses and catching a few fish. She kept busy, but she always was within eye-sight of the rock formation.


    Somewhat alone, Elise bit her tongue until it bled to keep herself from screaming in pain as she knit. Tears stung her eyes, and she didn¡¯t bother to wipe them from her face.


    Elise was so involved in her work that she didn¡¯t notice the swan until it was a few feet away from her.


    Elise stared at the swan. The swan stared back at Elise.


    She couldn¡¯t tell which brother it was, and she leaned back into her rock as he walked a half circle around her before sitting down within kicking range.


    Elise considered getting up and climbing a tree, but the prospect did not seem appealing thanks to her stiff back and sore bottom. Besides, both Steffen and Rune mentioned they couldn¡¯t clearly remember what was going on when they were swans, right? It was most likely that whatever brother this was would forget she was here by the time he transformed.


    After Elise made up her mind and went back to knitting, the swan stood and took a few steps closer before sitting down again. Elise glanced up from her knitting, but did not respond.


    A few minutes later, the swan moved closer again and again, until an hour later, he sat even with Elise, his feathers occasionally brushing her when he used his orange beak to preen his feathers.


    Elise looked at the swan, and the swan looked back to Elise. Realizing how ridiculous they must look¡ªa grubby girl sewing nettles and a swan behaving like a dog¡ªElise let the corners of her lips curl before she shook her head and returned to knitting.


    ¡°Eliiiiiise!¡±


    ¡°Elise,¡±


    ELISE!¡±


    Elise squinted in the dying light¡ªthe sun had dipped beyond the horizon but its glow hadn¡¯t completely departed yet, letting Elise knit on. ¡°I think I can finish this tonight,¡± Elise said, looking at the nettle shirt. She had completed the front half of the shirt and was working on the back half. When that was finished, all that was left to do was to stitch the two pieces together.

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    It wouldn¡¯t be the prettiest shirt, but Elise guessed it would still break the curse. Even though it had been days since she harvested the first nettles for the shirt, the plants were still green and pliant. That had to be a sign of magic.


    ¡°It¡¯s been over a week. Are you going to forgive them anytime soon, Princess?¡± Brida said, looking down at the forest from the branch she draped her body across. (After it became apparent that Elise was going to spend the hour her brothers were human in the trees and out of their grasp, Brida started climbing the tree with her for reasons beyond Elise¡¯s comprehension.) ¡°I already have forgiven them,¡± Elise said, biting her lip out of habit to keep from crying as she knitted.Advertisement


    ¡°Then why won¡¯t you speak to them?¡± Brida asked over a repetitious chorus.


    ¡°Because I am still furious with them.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°They are my family.¡±


    ¡°No they¡ª,¡±


    ¡°They are my family,¡± Elise firmly said. ¡°It¡¯s possible to love family and want to save them and, in the same moment, wish they would choke on a fishbone.¡±


    ¡°You are going to make them pay?¡±


    ¡°Pay for what? No. I¡¯m avoiding them until I can face them¡ªany of them¡ªwithout wanting to wrap this shirt around their perfect, smiling faces,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°So you aren¡¯t avoiding them because of Rune and Falk¡¯s love for you?¡±


    Elise yanked so hard on the stinging nettle she snapped it. She was silent for a few moments to keep herself from cursing before she grabbed another nettle and slid out her last few loops so she could tie the new plant in. ¡°No, definitely not.¡±


    ¡°Do you think you¡¯ll marry one of them?¡±


    ¡°I do not want to talk about it,¡± Elise said, her voice growing high-pitched.


    Brida sat up on her branch so she could face Elise in the purple dusk. ¡°You honestly did not know, did you?¡±


    Elise hunched further into the tree, her neck disappearing into her shoulders.


    ¡°And that is why you do not want to face them,¡± Brida continued.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tie off this end, and then I will need something to cut the remaining stem with,¡± Elise said, trying to crowd Brida¡¯s irritating, spot-on observations out of her mind.


    ¡°Eliiiiiiise!¡±


    The Arcainian princes still called out.


    When the sun went down two days later, Elise climbed her usual tree alone.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to meet the princes at the camp,¡± Brida said, resting a sheathed sword on her shoulder. ¡°You have your whistle?¡±


    Elise nodded.


    ¡°I will be back once they are swans again,¡± Brida said, saluting Elise before she strode off through the woods.


    Elise sat in her tree and tried to rearrange her wild, curly locks. The red ribbon was barely enough to pull her hair to the back of her neck, and each day Elise¡¯s hair seemed to grow more unruly.


    Elise fussed with her hair, jumping when she heard a thudding noise. She peered between branches for any sign of her brothers.


    She didn¡¯t see anyone, but the afterglow of the set sun was almost gone.


    Elise climbed to a lower tree branch and crouched there. No one was around, and for the first time since their argument, Elise didn¡¯t hear her foster brothers calling for her.


    In the last bits of light, Elise thought she saw something metal glint on the ground. After another cautionary glance, Elise climbed down her tree, wincing as the rough bark scraped her raw fingers. She crept through the underbrush and pushed aside a fern leaf. The metal was a buckle, like the ones on saddlebags or horse tack.


    Elise blinked and picked up the buckle. Maybe Brida had dropped it.


    ¡°Found you.¡±


    Elise whirled around and collided with Rune¡¯s chest. She bounced off him but was steadied by another man, Falk.


    ¡°Elise,¡± Falk said as Elise pulled her arms from his grasp.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t mean to frighten you. We just want to speak with you,¡± Rune said, slowly approaching Elise.


    ¡°We have much to discuss,¡± Falk dryly said.


    ¡°We should explain¡ª,¡±


    ¡°GAAAAAAAH!¡± Elise shouted, clamping her hands over her ears.


    ¡°We need to address the issue, Snowflake,¡± Falk said, still audible over Elise¡¯s protests.


    ¡°We never told you we loved you because¡ª,¡±


    ¡°This can¡¯t be happening,¡± Elise said, dropping her hands so she could start marching through the forest. ¡°This isn¡¯t happening.¡±


    ¡°Actually, it is,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Father forbid us from talking to you about love until you declared you were ready to marry,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Rune once attempted to test that rule a year ago,¡± Falk dryly said. ¡°He didn¡¯t even get to confess to you before some guards tattled.¡±


    Elise stopped and turned to stare at her brothers. ¡°A year ago? Wasn¡¯t that the summer you fought a dragon and got that horrid black eye?¡± she asked, folding her arms across her chest.


    ¡°The dragon fighting was really more¡­symbolic,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Steffen was the one who gave him the black eye,¡± Falk helpfully piped in.

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    ¡°Like you faired any better. The only reason Steffen never dealt you a blow is because you are utterly incompetent in terms of friendly communication,¡± Rune said, his handsome face twisting into a scowl.


    Elise looked back and forth between Rune and Falk before she shook her head. ¡°No,¡± she said. She turned on her heels and started marching again.Advertisement


    ¡°Returning to the original point,¡± Rune said, easily keeping up. ¡°When you finally announced that you were available, Clotilde already had her claws into Father. Steffen told us we could try to pursue you, but it was fairly obvious you would just end up hating us both if we attempted such a thing when you were already feeling the pressure.¡±


    ¡°¡®Tis true,¡± Falk said.


    Elise hopped over a log. ¡°You¡¯re lying. Both of you are lying.¡±


    ¡°You know us, Elise. Or at least you know me. I am not a liar,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Except when it comes to your feelings, eh?¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Rune snapped.


    ¡°No, this is impossible. I will tell you why it is impossible,¡± Elise said, stopping to shaking a finger at the princes. ¡°You,¡± she said, stabbing a finger at Falk. ¡°You hate me. You call me all sorts of sarcastic nicknames that any idiot can tell you use to mock me rather than as a term of endearment. You are a plague on my department, pointing out any perceived mathematical mistake and insisting on breathing down my neck and lingering in my office whenever our departments work together. In no way do you give off the faintest whiff of a man in love. You are as pleasant to me as a bad-tempered porcupine.¡±


    Rune looked away to hide his grin, but he did not bother to muffle his snort of amusement.


    ¡°And YOU,¡± Elise said, placing her hands on her hips as she turned to Rune. ¡°You are worse! Yes, you acted nice to me and cared for me on a more personal level than the rest of our family, but you are an unforgivable flirt! How dare you say that you love me when I have stood next to you for countless parties and heard you flatter and compliment any female that crossed your path. You are the court favorite because you¡¯re handsome and because pretty words fall from your mouth like honey from a beehive!¡±


    Rune lost his mirth rather quickly. ¡°Falk is popular, too,¡± he said.


    ¡°Falk is popular through no actions of his own. The man lives like a monk¡ªI always thought he had taken some sort of vow of celibacy as he seemed to despise the companionship of any marriageable lady. But you! I could accept it, and perhaps encourage, it for the good of our country when you are my brother.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not your broth¡ª,¡±


    ¡°But when you claim to be in love with me and think that you have conducted yourself perfectly true to me?¡± Elise laughed and again started plowing through the darkening forest. ¡°What a joke. Besides, look at you! Look at both of you! Matching me with you would be like a duck and a swan pairing up.¡±


    ¡°Technically right now it would be a human girl and a swan¡ª,¡±


    ¡°That was supposed to be a metaphor, Falk,¡± Elise said as she climbed over a log. ¡°Both of you will marry someone beautiful and enchanting, like Gabrielle. Not a penny-pincher accountant with wild hair, like me.¡±


    ¡°You underestimate your beauty, Elise,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Besides, the decision is ours. And why would I want someone beautiful and enchanting?¡± Falk scoffed.


    Rune looked at his brother. ¡°I know we¡¯re rivals, but do you really not notice how you accidentally insult Elise with every compliment you mean to give?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°By asking why you want someone beautiful and enchanting you are implying that Elise is neither.¡±


    ¡°What? No, I didn¡¯t. Obviously I was asking why I would want someone whose only recommendation is being beautiful. Beauty alone makes a poor companion. Elise is obviously superior because not only is she beautiful, but she can hold a proper conversation and calculate compounding interest at the same time.¡±


    Rune sighed as he followed the mute Elise. ¡°I¡¯m not much inclined to help you with Elise ever¡ªwhy are you so antisocial anyway? But just this once, I shall offer this kernel of wisdom. Women think a great deal about words that have been spoken. It would behoove you to think carefully before blasting Elise with an injurious compliment. If you must say it, at least properly explain it.¡±


    As the brothers argued, Elise increased her pace. She could see the glow of the campfire just ahead. If she reached the rest of the Arcainian princes, perhaps they would make Rune and Falk be quiet.


    ¡°Not only are you a flirt, but you are also an insufferable know-it-all,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°I am neither of those things,¡± Rune said. ¡°And I am the only brother out of the lot of us who wasn¡¯t good at school.¡±


    ¡°That does not mean you are not an insufferable know-it-all, Court Favorite.¡±


    ¡°Stop that,¡± Rune growled.


    Elise burst through the last layer of trees.

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    Brida, Steffen, Erick, Mikk, and Nick all looked up from the fire where they were roasting fish. (Gerhart¡¯s location was unknown.) ¡°Steffen, tell Rune and Falk to stop making fun of me,¡± Elise sniffed, wiping a tear from her eye with her wrist.


    Steffen pushed off the tree he was leaning against and hugged Elise. ¡°There, there, dear sister. I will protect you from the ugly thugs,¡± he said before turning to his brothers. ¡°Your stupidity has reached new heights. Do you enjoy making women cry?¡±Advertisement


    Rune puffed up in anger. ¡°This is your fault. If you had let me tell Elise last year, we wouldn¡¯t be in this mess.¡±


    ¡°No, you would probably be dead,¡± Mikk said. ¡°What? Assassinations happen, and Father does love Elise best even if she isn¡¯t really his,¡± he shrugged when everyone stared at him.


    Falk rubbed a piece of his goldenrod hair between his fingers. ¡°She doesn¡¯t believe us,¡± he said.


    ¡°You only have yourselves to blame for that,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Poor Elise,¡± Erick said, drawing Elise¡¯s attention to him. When she saw the devious slant of his smile, she froze like a frightened rabbit. For the first time since Clotilde appeared, Erick looked intrigued. An intrigued Erick was not necessarily a bad thing, unless he was intrigued with you.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this great? We¡¯ve all made up,¡± Nick happily said, turning the fish on the spit.


    ¡°What?¡± Mikk said.


    ¡°Elise is talking to us again,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°Only because she¡¯s mad at Rune and me,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°And that should matter to us because¡­?¡± Steffen asked.


    ¡°Welcome back, Elise,¡± Nick said, also throwing his arms around Elise¡ªnearly knocking heads with Steffen. ¡°So, you¡¯re probably going to choose Rune or Falk, right? That means you really will be my sister then, just as Mother planned.¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡± Elise asked, wide-eyed and sandwiched between the princes.


    ¡°Would anyone care to place a bet on which one she¡¯ll choose?¡± Erick asked, rubbing his chin as he appraised Rune and Falk.


    ¡°Normally, Rune would be the best candidate, but she has stood next to him for all of his adult life and watched him dance, compliment, talk to, flatter, and flirt with every lady in the kingdom,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t helping, brother,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Who said I was trying to?¡± Steffen sweetly asked.


    ¡°What do you think, Brida? Who will Elise go for?¡± Nick asked, abandoning the group hug to sit down next to the silent captain.


    ¡°I think I am glad I am an only child, if you will excuse my frankness, Prince Nickolas,¡± Brida said.


    Elise pushed her head into Steffen¡¯s shoulder. ¡°This is so embarrassing,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°It¡¯s all in good fun, sister,¡± Steffen said, patting the top of her head.


    ¡°Right now, the odds for either brother aren¡¯t good,¡± Erick said, drawing out numbers and figures on the ground with a stick.


    Mikk glanced over at Rune and Falk. ¡°Pray a foreign prince doesn¡¯t sweep into her heart while we are exiled,¡± he said.


    ¡°No foreign princes. I will mobilize any of you to woo Elise before I will allow that to happen,¡± Steffen said, hardly noticing when Elise slipped away from him. ¡°We cannot let our best department head and the official savior of Arcainia slip off to another country. You two had better shape up and start courting,¡± Steffen said to Falk and Rune.


    ¡°If that is what you would like, may I recommend that you stop belittling me in front of Elise?¡± Rune said, his tone light and airy.


    ¡°You may recommend it, but I will not follow it,¡± Steffen said.


    The two princes shared lighthearted laughter, although Rune glared daggers at his older brother.


    Elise sat on the ground and took the baked fish on a stick Mikk offered her. ¡°This is almost as bad as when they were turned into swans,¡± she muttered.


    When Elise was halfway through the second shirt, she knew she was knitting faster. It wasn¡¯t that her hands hurt less¡ªthey hurt more, actually¡ªbut Elise¡¯s pain tolerance had grown significantly. It also helped that Falk gave her a new supply of ferns to rub on her hands to ease the welts and scratches every night.


    It was still boring. Elise made the shirts as simple as possible to reduce the knitting time, so it was mind-numbingly repetitive and ugly beyond all imagination thanks to the abundance of knotting Elise had to make in order to tie in the nettle stems.


    None of this changed the fact, though, that Elise was settling in and adjusting to the process, allowing her to knit much faster.


    Elise reached for another stinging nettle stem, only to find she had none left. She set the cape aside and took a fern, rubbing it on her hands as she stretched her legs out in front of her.


    Her swan companion¡ªElise still didn¡¯t know which prince it was¡ªcocked his head and watched her.

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    Elise offered him a smile before she rolled up the shirt-in-progress and stood, carrying it to her makeshift residence. (It really wasn¡¯t very makeshift anymore. With Brida¡¯s axe and ability to work during daylight hours, she had significantly improved the shelter, crafting a sturdy wall and hanging a length of burlap from the entrance to block out the weather.


    ¡°HAH,¡± Brida said, shouting fearsomely as she stabbed her spear forward in her daily practice routine.Advertisement


    When Brida looked to Elise, Elise held up the length of burlap¡ªwhich she used the carry the stinging nettles after picking them.


    ¡°Going to get more nettles, Princess?¡±


    Elise nodded.


    ¡°Take your whistle and a knife with you,¡± Brida said before she turned back to her exercises. ¡°HaaRAH!¡±


    Elise grabbed her wooden whistle and the knife¡ªBrida gave her a real knife so she didn¡¯t have to use her sharp stone, which had lost much of its edge after slicing through more nettles than Elise ever wished to count.


    Elise swung her arms and walked into the forest, smiling when her swan joined her. She had to go farther into the forest than ever before to find nettles as she had plucked every last one of them within a reasonable radius of the pond.


    There was a huge patch of them that Elise had found weeks ago when she was first trying to avoid her brothers. She may as well start there.


    After a ten-minute walk, Elise found the nettles. She laid out her burlap cloth and started slicing the plants at the very base, digging into the ground to get the maximum length possible.


    The swan walked around the patch, grunting and occasionally flapping his wings. Elise thought he was eating, but she wasn¡¯t entirely certain and concentrated on cutting the nettles. It was extremely painful, as Elise had to wrap her entire hand around the plant instead of gingerly maneuvering it like she could when knitting.


    Elise bit her lip and glared at the plants, silently snarling at the biggest ones that were the hardest to cut. Before placing each plant on the length of burlap, she stripped the leaves and tossed them aside.


    It was about an hour before Elise was satisfied with her gathered bundle. She rolled the burlap twice around her gathered nettles and held the rough cloth as she carried her cargo back, her whistle and knife wedged in the burlap wrap.


    The swan padded along at Elise¡¯s side, occasionally zigzagging back and forth in front of her.


    Elise grinned, infected by the bird¡¯s good mood. She would be able to finish the shirts before her predicted time of midsummer at this rate. With luck, by the end of winter they could take Arcainia back from Clotilde¡ªif Angelique had been cleared of suspicion, that was.


    Elise froze when she heard a horse neigh.


    Falk¡¯s horse and Brida¡¯s mount were both tethered in their meadow. They were too far away for Elise to hear them so clearly. Elise¡¯s elation left her as she abandoned her path and crept in the direction of the neigh.


    She almost gave up hope of finding the creature when it snorted and pawed the ground.


    Elise, still holding her prickly bundle, peered at it through the trees. The swan companion hissed from behind her ankles. She relaxed when she saw the mount.


    She had been afraid Clotilde had found them and sent soldiers to kill them, but the horse was clearly Verglas bred, thick and furry with more mane and tail than a normal horse would know what to do with. Elise¡¯s shoulders heaved, and she smiled as she studied the plainly dressed horse. It had nothing on it but a saddle, a small saddlebag, and a short bow that was hooked over its rump. It probably belonged to a hunter.


    Elise dropped her bundle.


    A hunter.


    Elise hurtled through the woods, ignoring the horse that spooked at her when she burst out of the tress and the swan that flapped its wings and hissed at her.


    She almost fell flat when her bare feet landed out on a moss-covered rock, but Elise caught herself and kept running in spite of the burning pain of her bruised foot.


    She had to get back to the pond.


    Most hunters went after big game¡ªdeer, boars, and the like. But some members of nobility had a taste for poultry, like wild quail, pheasant, ducks, or swans.


    Branches ripped at Elise¡¯s arms, and brambles scratched her legs, but Elise ran harder. She skid into the clearing around the pond. Six swans were there¡ªthe seventh was no doubt safe and angrily following her trail. But where¡­?


    Elise covered her mouth to choke her gasp. A man garbed in green crouched behind a bush, an arrow notched in his bow.


    A quick look confirmed he was targeting the swan sitting on the shore. It was the smallest swan, and his back was to the hunter. His feathers were poofed around him like a peacock and he admired his reflection in the clear water. It had to be Gerhart.


    Elise couldn¡¯t scream.


    Her heart beat like a pounding drum. She wanted to shout, rail at the hunter, and warn Gerhart, but she couldn¡¯t let a sound escape.

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    Elise tore across the sandy bank and threw herself at Gerhart just as the bow string twanged with the release of an arrow.


    Elise and Gerhart rolled into the pond, getting thoroughly drenched. Gerhart struggled so much Elise thought he was hit, but when she let him go, he wacked her in the face with his wings and stumbled back a step. Elise turned around to find an arrow embedded in the sandy shore, a small bit of her gray dress pinned beneath it.Advertisement


    An ocean roared in Elise¡¯s ears for a moment as she realized how close Gerhart had been to dying. Then the hunter spoke.


    ¡°What tha¡¯! Girl! Whaddaya think yer doing?¡±


    Elise looked at the hunter with a murderous expression. She grabbed a rock and threw it at the hunter, pelting him on the shoulder.


    ¡°Ouch, what¡ªack! I¡¯m goin¡¯, I¡¯m goin¡¯! Ack, yer mad!¡± the hunter said as he backed away from the pond.


    Elise, driven by anger and absolute fright for her brothers, stalked across the pond shore and grabbed a wooden club Mikk had fashioned out of a sturdy tree branch. She swung it through the air as she ran at the hunter.


    ¡°Just lemme grab ma quiver¡ªouch¡ªye snarlin¡¯ mountain cat!¡± the hunter said, not dodging quite fast enough and getting the tail end of a blow to his stomach.


    By now, the swans realized Elise was upset, and they beat their wings and ran speedily across the shore, hissing and snapping at the cornered hunter.


    ¡°Witch!¡± the hunter said, abandoning his quiver before he fled into the woods.


    Elise¡¯s swan companion launched himself from the trees, angrily beating his wings. The rest of the swans hurried to his side, hissing and grunting to each other.


    Elise dropped to her knees and breathed deeply to combat the sudden faintness of her heart.


    Where was Brida? Wasn¡¯t she supposed to guard? What use was she if she wandered off like that? It wasn¡¯t like Elise could call her or something¡­the whistle.


    Elise held back a groan and pounded the ground with one hand. She forgot her wooden whistle with her knife and the burlap wrapped nettles. Brida was going to kill her.


    In the pond, Gerhart shook out his feathers while several other swans shoved their orange beaks into Elise¡¯s wild hair and pulled on her curls.


    Elise unsteadily swallowed. If Brida didn¡¯t kill her, her brothers would.


    Chapter 8


    Steffen drummed his fingers on the leather saddle pack draped across his lap. ¡°You forgot the whistle Brida made you?¡±


    ¡°I apologize,¡± Elise said, avoiding his eyes as she stood in front of him.


    Steffen sighed. ¡°I just want to keep you safe, Elise. It¡¯s an impossible task out here, and we¡¯ve done nothing but put you in jeopardy, but our curse isn¡¯t worth your life.¡±


    Elise mutely took the gentle scolding.


    ¡°It was unfortunate that Brida was out gathering wood when the huntsman came, but it was only the best of luck that the huntsman was, apparently, a weak-spined fellow, and you were able to chase him off with nothing but rocks and a wooden club.¡±


    ¡°And a host of hissing swans,¡± Erick added.


    ¡°We hardly count, as we are unable to do anything,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Spare Elise the lecture. We should be hailing her a hero. She saved Gerhart,¡± Nick called from the edge of the pond where he sat in the darkness with a fishing pole.


    Steffen looked unconvinced, and Elise saw another lecture in his eyes.


    It was to her relief that Rune stepped in.


    ¡°Regardless of what happened, everyone is safe. Elise will not make that mistake again. Will you, Elise?¡± the golden-tongued Rune said.


    ¡°No, I won¡¯t,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°See? She will be careful to carry her whistle with her from now on. There¡¯s no need to further lecture her. Why don¡¯t we talk about ways we could prevent this in the future, and Elise can get washed up?¡±


    ¡°I suppose,¡± Steffen frowned.


    Elise hastily stood and trotted off into the darkness before the eldest prince could rethink his decision. ¡°Thank you, Rune,¡± Elise whispered as she made her way around the pond in the dark.


    She knelt next to the pond and scrubbed at her arms and face after splashing herself with water. She gave her face a final rinse and almost jumped out of her dress when Gerhart appeared next to her, carrying a torch.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Elise blinked. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Why did you save me?


    Elise wiped her hands off on her grubby dress. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I save you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been nothing but horrid to you for years. I have mocked you and snubbed you and done everything in my power to look down at you. Why didn¡¯t you let the hunter kill me?¡±


    ¡°Before you were horrid, we were great friends. I know you aren¡¯t a bad person, Hart, although I have no idea what made you change. Besides, even if you went on being horrid to me for the rest of our lives, you¡¯re still my brother,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I was jealous of you,¡± Gerhart said. ¡°Before Clotilde, Father acted like the sun rose and fell with you. Everyone gushed over you. They talked about how perfect you were.¡±

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    Elise brushed off her dress. ¡°Be that as it may, I never did anything to scorn you or to make you scorn me, did I?¡±


    Gerhart was mute.Advertisement


    ¡°I thought as much. Good evening, Hart,¡± Elise said, turning to go back to the campfire.


    ¡°I was scared,¡± he blurted out. ¡°Yes, I was jealous, but I was cowardly and weak-willed.¡±


    Elise paused. ¡°In what way were you cowardly?¡±


    ¡°I should have told them to bugger off. I should have been stronger. We could have stayed the idyllic brother and sister, but I was too weak. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Them?¡± Elise asked.


    Gerhart looked off to the side, avoiding Elise¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°Hart.¡±


    ¡°Rune and Falk,¡± he finally said, shrinking under Elise¡¯s looming shadow.


    ¡°What did they do?¡± Elise asked, her voice scratchy as she turned her head at an almost unnatural angle to look at her two supposed suitors.


    ¡°When you turned fifteen, Rune took me to this cave I had been begging to explore with him for months.¡±


    ¡°I remember.¡±


    ¡°While we were there, we had a talk,¡± Gerhart said, shifting uneasily.


    The words were pulled unwillingly from him, but whenever he glanced at Elise he seemed to realize she posed a greater threat than his older brothers.


    ¡°Rune said I was growing up, and I needed to man up and end my childish friendship with you. I said I didn¡¯t want to¡­ He convinced me otherwise.¡±


    ¡°And Falk?¡±


    ¡°When I got back, Falk took me to a silo used for grain storage and locked me inside. He said if I didn¡¯t stop clinging to you, he would leave me there.¡±


    Elise was silent, but her building fury was obvious based on the twitch of her eyebrows.


    ¡°Even though they did that, it was my choice to break off our friendship. I was angry and humiliated, and I felt like I didn¡¯t have the strength to go against them. It was because of my weakness that I treated you abominably. I hated that I couldn¡¯t oppose them,¡± Gerhart said.


    ¡°Hart, you were thirteen!¡±


    ¡°That shouldn¡¯t matter.¡±


    Elise threw her hands in the air. ¡°Come with me,¡± she said, grabbing Gerhart¡¯s wrist and pulling him back to the campfire. ¡°Rune, Falk,¡± she snarled. ¡°You two intimidated Hart when he was thirteen, telling him to stay away from me?¡±


    Rune rolled his eyes. ¡°I should have known he would eventually squeal,¡± he muttered.


    ¡°I counted on it,¡± Falk said, grinding up herbs on the top of a flat rock with the bone handle of a knife.


    ¡°How can you two say that? Furthermore, how could you do something so cruel to your little brother?¡± Elise said.


    ¡°If we hadn¡¯t, it would have been impossible to pry you from him,¡± Falk said.


    Rune shot him a look before he tried soothing Elise. ¡°Elise, you¡¯re taking this too seriously. We¡¯re men. If we have a problem, we punch one another. It¡¯s just how we handle things.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make it right,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°But it¡¯s true,¡± Nick said, fingering his broken nose.


    Elise reached out and grabbed Rune¡ªwho was closest¡ªby the collar of his shirt. ¡°You don¡¯t get it. Hart was angelic before he scorned me. He was so cute and adorable. I will never get those years back,¡± she said before pushing Rune away and ringing her arms around Hart¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Now he¡¯s a big teenager. I missed three years of my only little sibling¡¯s life because of you,¡± she snarled.


    Gerhart was pink-cheeked and wouldn¡¯t look his brothers in the eye.


    ¡°Well. That plan backfired on you,¡± Erick observed.


    ¡°You two are worse than I thought,¡± Elise said.


    Rune sighed and sat down next to Falk. ¡°We should have gone another route¡ªfound him a girl to obsess over maybe.¡±


    Falk continued to grind his herbs. ¡°We won¡¯t make the same mistake a second time.¡±


    ¡°You think I¡¯ve scolded you so now the matter is over?¡± Elise asked, planting her hands on her hips.


    ¡°Hardly. You will very likely rail at us for the rest of our days, but it doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°It took Gerhart out of the running for your affections, didn¡¯t it? Our dear little brother apparently has a thing for Onella, one of my pretty subordinates. He is besotted with her. Considering his admiration, I am surprised he had the courage to tell you of our childhood games.¡±


    ¡°Games?¡±


    ¡°Especially as Onella happens to be one of my personal assistants who is extremely loyal to me,¡± Falk continued.


    ¡°Falk,¡± Gerhart complained. ¡°I am not smitten with Onella.¡±


    ¡°You are. Mikk¡¯s sneaks told him so,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Miiikkk!¡± Gerhart complained.


    Mikk shrugged.


    Elise sighed deeply before she stomped over to Brida in hopes of being fed. The captain had found wild asparagus and was heating it over the fire.


    ¡°I hate men,¡± Elise said after sitting next to the captain.


    Elise didn¡¯t expect a response, so she was shocked when Brida said, ¡°I¡¯m yet again increasingly glad I am an only child.¡±


    Elise looked to the stone-faced captain, but she was just as solemn as ever as she tended to the asparagus.

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    Elise shifted, listening to her foster-brothers tease Gerhart.


    ¡°Really, Gerhie, with all the proper ladies you can choose from, I¡¯m surprised you are going for one of Falk¡¯s underlings,¡± Nick said. ¡°She¡¯s not going to be filthy rich and able to support you, you know.¡±Advertisement


    ¡°I am not enamored with Onella!¡±


    Mikk stared at the fire. ¡°As she is Falk¡¯s personal assistant, that means she has the degree of cunning that he prizes greatly in his direct subordinates.¡±


    ¡°I hadn¡¯t thought of that. Do you enjoy being ruled, Gerhie?¡± Nick asked.


    ¡°Steffen, tell them to stop!¡± Gerhart said.


    ¡°Why? Isn¡¯t it a great bonding experience to be open and enthusiastic with each other?¡±


    ¡°Men,¡± Elise said in disgust. ¡°No decorum in them.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± Falk said, surprising Elise when he sat down on her other side. ¡°But if you leave us alone long enough, we will get things done. Extend your hands, please. Thank you,¡± he said before he started smearing the green paste his ground up plants made on Elise¡¯s hands.


    Brida watched the process for a moment. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me, I believe I should start cleaning the fish. Prince, Princess,¡± Brida said, standing and bowing before she left the pair.


    As Falk spread the paste, the burning and itching feeling that plagued Elise¡¯s hands cooled. It tamed the splotches and the constant heat, providing sweet relief.


    Elise shut her eyes, reveling in the coolness. ¡°This feels wonderful. What is it?¡±


    ¡°Dandelion.¡±


    Elise could feel her tension ease as the pain slipped away. ¡°Thank you, Falk. Thank you for caring about my hands.¡±


    ¡°I care about every part of you, Elise.¡±


    Elise opened her eyes to stare at the dark-haired prince. He was bent over her hands, not the least embarrassed by his words.


    ¡°Why?¡± Elise finally asked.


    Falk glanced up at her. He was quiet for several long moments before he spoke again. ¡°Because I love you, and to see you in any kind of pain is intolerable. If you are hurt, I will always do my best to see that you are mended.¡±


    Elise found that she was speechless.


    Falk smeared the last of the past on Elise¡¯s hands. ¡°Keep it on until we turn back into swans. Then you can wash it off in the pond. It should provide relief through the night,¡± Falk said before he stood and retreated to his brothers¡ªwho were still teasing Gerhart.


    Elise watched him go and shook her head. ¡°Men.¡±


    The last of the Verglas spring rains beat heavily the following week. During that time, Elise and Brida huddled in their slightly drafty but dry shelter. They left it only to check on the swans and the horses, so Elise was able to work faster than ever. She finished the second shirt and got a good start on the third before the rain ended.


    ¡°I¡¯ve run out of nettles,¡± Elise said the last night of the rain¡ªit was impossibly crowded in the shelter with the seven princes to cram inside as well, but at least it was warmer.


    ¡°Wait until the ground dries a little before you look for more,¡± Nick said. ¡°Trying to find them in all this muck will do you no good.¡±


    ¡°But won¡¯t they be easier to pull out of the ground right now?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°It would be nothing but a great deal messier. You are better off waiting until the ground is soft but not moist,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°But that could be days,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°A few extra days as swans won¡¯t harm us, although your loyalty warms me,¡± Rune said, kissing the top of Elise¡¯s head.


    It was a gesture Elise was familiar with, but the arm he slipped around her waist was new. Added to the claim that he loved her, Elise found herself blushing.


    ¡°Heel,¡± Steffen said, carelessly yanking Rune backwards by the collar of his sparkling white shirt. ¡°Keep your paws to yourself, mutt.¡±


    ¡°Why do you continue to insert yourself where you are unwanted?¡± Rune asked Steffen.


    ¡°Mostly because I can,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Such a shock,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Wait until it¡¯s dry,¡± Mikk summarized for Elise¡¯s benefit as the rest of their siblings entered the fray.


    ¡°If you say so,¡± Elise said.


    It was another three days before Elise could walk without her bare feet sinking into mud and muck. During the three days of mud, Elise fell several times, so on the first day of warm weather and solid footing, Elise plunged into the pond.


    She dove in with her dress on and her hair unbound. When she popped up for air a swan regally padded by, Steffen probably. Elise watched the swan before she tried scrubbing at the worst of her dress stains while standing in the water.


    When her teeth started to chatter, Elise clambered back onto shore, ringing water out of her dress and hair.


    ¡°You should dry off before you get yourself sick,¡± Brida said, chopping a sturdy tree limb with her axe.

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    Elise sneezed twice and flicked water off her skin as she walked past the shelter, pausing to grab her whistle, knife, and burlap cloth.


    Properly armed, Elise hiked a short way into the woods. She could still hear the noises her brothers made as swans¡ªthe sound their flapping wings produced was quite loud¡ªwhen she found a boulder situated in a spot of sunshine.Advertisement


    Elise dropped the burlap cloth and set the knife and whistle on the boulder before she climbed it, sunning herself on the warm surface as she attempted to comb her wild hair with her fingers.


    As her hair dried, her bouncy curls sprang into their usual tangled ringlets. Elise abandoned the ribbon she used to keep her hair tied in a low ponytail at the nape of her neck and fluffed her hair, hoping to get it to dry quicker. The early summer air was cooler than she estimated, and between her sopping dress and wet head, she was getting a chill.


    Once she felt she had sufficiently untangled her wild curls, Elise tried wringing more water from her dress. Both the morning sun and the rock warmed Elise, making her damp situation bearable, and in less than an hour, Elise was more or less dry.


    Elise tossed her curly mop of hair over her shoulders as she reached for her ribbon, intending to pull her hair back so she could nettle hunt without it flapping in her face.


    She froze when she heard a male voice say, ¡°So it is true. There is maiden as lovely as a summer day who has taken up residence at Farsund Pond.¡±


    Elise slowly lifted her eyes up to stare at a handsome young man who had soundlessly crept up on her. The fine velvet of his tunic was too expensive to make him anything less than a noble. He had baby fine blonde hair and grey eyes that were the same intense color as frothy rapids.


    Elise flattened her lips and reached for her whistle as she kept eye contact with the strange man.


    ¡°I won¡¯t hurt you,¡± he said, lifting both of his hands. ¡°I¡¯m worried for you. How can you survive out here, alone?¡±


    Elise, obviously, was silent.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you speak? You can trust me,¡± he said, taking a step closer to her. ¡°Where are you from? I¡¯ve never seen anyone like you. Your hair is beautiful.¡±


    Elise slid off her rock, clutching her whistle. She was careful not to place her back to the man as she retreated to the pond.


    ¡°Easy, easy,¡± the man said, as if Elise were a wild horse he needed to soothe. ¡°Do you want to leave this place? I could take you somewhere warm. You could sleep in a real bed and eat only the best foods. Don¡¯t you want to come?¡±


    Elise shook her head, making the young man smile.


    ¡°So you can understand, then? You aren¡¯t dumb. Nor are you a witch, like that foolish hunter said you were,¡± the man said. ¡°Come with me. I will protect you.¡±


    Elise shook her head and kept backing up.


    ¡°You will be safe, I promise. Just trust me,¡± the man said before lunging forward and grabbing Elise¡¯s wrist.


    Elise shoved her whistle between her teeth and tried punching the man with her free hand. He caught her jab and within seconds had her flung over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.


    ¡°I¡¯m doing this for your own good,¡± the man said as Elise struggled.


    Elise took in a deep breath of air, positioned her mouth by the man¡¯s ear, and blew her whistle so hard she made her ears pop.


    ¡°Ow, what was that for?¡± the man said, dropping Elise to clamp his hands to his ears.


    Elise hit the ground with a thud. She rolled away, getting grass stains all over her dress, and scrambled to her feet, blasting another note on her whistle.


    She needn¡¯t have bothered. Brida came tearing through the woods, a spear held above her head and roaring like an angry bear. Behind her was a train of four snow white swans. The swans flapped their wings and strained their necks while they hissed.


    ¡°Get away from her!¡± Brida shouted, sounding scarier than ever as she leveled her spear at the intruder.


    ¡°What? What¡¯s going on?¡± the man said.


    ¡°What did you do to her?¡± Brida asked, suspiciously eyeing the grass stains on Elise¡¯s dress as Elise passed her, aiming to stand with the swans.


    ¡°Nothing! I thought she was alone in the woods so I was going to take her back to the palace so she could find shelter,¡± the man said.


    ¡°Likely story!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true. Who are you that you don¡¯t recognize me?¡±


    ¡°What is that supposed to mean?¡±


    The man thumped the stag symbol embroidered on the front of his tunic. ¡°I am Prince Toril, the only child of King Torgen and heir to the throne of Verglas,¡± he said. ¡°In case you didn¡¯t know it is a capital offense to brandish a weapon at me.¡±


    ¡°Royal or not, it¡¯s an offense to humanity to manhandle a girl,¡± Brida spat.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t manhandling her! Please, there must be some way we can come to an agreement.¡±


    ¡°Leave right now and that will be a proper agreement,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°This forest is mine; you can hardly force me out of it.¡±

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    Brida held the spear in a throwing position. ¡°Oh?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Except for today,¡± the prince hastily said. ¡°I can see I have upset your¡­delicate nerves. I shall take my leave now and come back at a better time,¡± he said, starting to back up.Advertisement


    ¡°Don¡¯t come back,¡± Brida warned. ¡°You aren¡¯t wanted here.¡±


    ¡°That you have made perfectly clear, madam,¡± the prince said before darting out sight. ¡°But I will be back. Count on it.¡±


    Brida held an arm in front of Elise as she listened to the man stumble through the woods. (Elise had to wonder how she missed his arrival if that was how he usually moved.) When the noises faded, Brida lowered her weapon and her arm. ¡°Well done, F¨¹rstin,¡± Brida said before she plunged through the four troubled swans and headed back to the camp.


    Elise followed, the swans in tow, with wide eyes. She had never imagined there would be a day when Brida would praise her.


    Elise glanced over her shoulder in the direction Prince Toril had disappeared. What was he doing this far south? Elise shivered in the cool summer air, hoping he would forget about her, forget about Brida, and forget about her wild swans.


    ¡°Prince Toril? What could he possibly want with Elise?¡± Nick asked as he sat next to Brida.


    ¡°I could think of several things,¡± Rune frowned. ¡°Did you scare him enough?¡± he asked Brida¡ªwho was telling her part of the story.


    ¡°If I had frightened him anymore, he very likely would have wet his royal trousers,¡± Brida dryly said.


    ¡°That¡¯s our Brida,¡± Nick chimed in.


    Rune nodded and paced by the fire.


    ¡°Perhaps we should move,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°There¡¯s no reason to. The prince of Verglas is not known for his sharp wit. He will never figure out who you are. I doubt we are in any real danger except for extreme annoyance if he keeps popping up,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°He will be leaving to go north to the capital soon,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°How do you know?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Based on his clothes, he¡¯s obviously on a hunting trip. Even though he is flippant, he is the only heir to the throne and as such would have to be in court most of the time,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Based on his clothes? You remember what he looked like? You were one of the swans that came with Brida?¡± Elise asked.


    Falk shifted and looked, for the first time in years, uncomfortable. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Before Elise could further pursue this interesting reveal, Rune, who still paced, said, ¡°I don¡¯t care. First the hunter and now this prince¡ªI will not let us put Elise¡¯s life in danger.¡±


    ¡°I assure you, Prince Rune, I will do my best to protect Princess Elise,¡± Brida said.


    Rune pressed his lips together and tried to hang his thumbs on a sword belt that wasn¡¯t there. His hazel eyes were dim and tinted with frustration.


    ¡°That¡¯s not enough, is it?¡± Brida asked, her voice hollow.


    Rune looked away and flexed his hands.


    Erick cleared his throat, drawing Elise¡¯s attention to hm. He discreetly tipped his head in Rune¡¯s direction and made a shooing gesture.


    Elise hesitated for a moment, wondering why of all her brothers it would be Erick to instruct her to talk with Rune.


    ¡°I should check on the horses¡ªthey haven¡¯t been offered water in a few hours. Come with me, Rune?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Certainly,¡± Rune said, rallying a smile before he followed Elise out of the bright campfire circle.


    ¡°I have lost track of the days, but it must be summer by now,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°It is. It is still quite cool here, though.¡±


    ¡°I agree. I knew our country has a warmer climate, but I still need to cover up when I sleep. At home it¡¯s usually quite hot by now,¡± Elise said.


    Rune shrugged. ¡°Verglas has been a colder country for centuries. Even its neighbors don¡¯t get the same snowfall and cool summers. Do you want me to lead both of the horses?¡± Rune asked as they approached the shaky wooden fence that boxed the horses in for the night.


    ¡°No, Falk¡¯s horse and I have come to an understanding. And standing with them doesn¡¯t bother me so much as being on their backs does,¡± Elise said, reaching for the rope halter Brida had fashioned for Falk¡¯s horse after her arrival. She slipped it on over the gelding¡¯s face and, using a rope, led him from the pen to the pond.


    ¡°So what did you want to discuss?¡± Rune asked.


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°Brida religiously waters the horses; your chore was just an excuse.¡±


    Elise watched Falk¡¯s horse lip the water. ¡°Yes,¡± she agreed before looking up at Rune. ¡°I wanted to ask what is wrong.¡±


    ¡°Wrong?¡±


    ¡°You are troubled tonight.¡±


    Rune laughed. ¡°Elise, I think anyone in our situation would be troubled.¡±


    Elise shook her head. ¡°No, something has especially bothered you this evening.¡±


    Rune placed a hand on Brida¡¯s horse and stroked her glossy shoulder. ¡°I can¡¯t help but think that I have failed you.¡±

 Page 47

    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°You said Toril had you slung over his shoulder. If you didn¡¯t have that whistle¡­,¡± Rune trailed off and ran a hand through his gold hair. ¡°It¡¯s not supposed to be like this,¡± he finally said.Advertisement


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m supposed to be able protect you. I am¡ªI¡¯ve always wanted to be your hero. But right now, I am nothing.¡±


    Elise glanced at Falk¡¯s horse to make sure it did not seem particularly inclined to walk off before she looped its lead rope across its back. ¡°That isn¡¯t true,¡± Elise said, warily circling around Brida¡¯s horse¡ªknowing the captain her horse was probably bad tempered and trained to bite¡ªto reach Rune.


    ¡°I don¡¯t weigh my affections for you based on the present. Yes, you didn¡¯t save me today, but there¡¯s at least a hundred other times you have saved me,¡± Elise said, clasping Rune¡¯s free hand between hers. ¡°When I was first moved into the royal wing of Brandis and got lost for half a day, you found me. When I was thirteen and I came down with that horrid cold, you stayed with me until I got better¡ªyou refused to leave unlike everyone else so you caught my cold after I was better.¡±


    Rune cracked a smile at the recollection.


    ¡°The summer before Mother died we went on a family picnic. I accidentally disturbed the nest of two rock griffons. You kept the male from slaughtering me,¡± Elise continued. ¡°Last year, I nearly turned my office inside out because Lord Huge¡¯s account was short some money, and I couldn¡¯t figure out why. You staked him out and caught him in the act of embezzling. You were the department champion for a full season after that.¡±


    ¡°I wonder if Lord Huge has recovered from that fright,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°The point is this: I don¡¯t love you because of what you do for me; I love you because you are steadfast and loyal and good,¡± Elise said.


    Rune gave Elise a dazzling smile. ¡°You love me?¡±


    ¡°Not that way,¡± Elise was quick to say. ¡°I mean, I do, but not¡­ romantic.¡±


    Rune sighed. ¡°I suppose that would be too much to hope for,¡± he said, letting Brida¡¯s horse go so he could graze Elise¡¯s cheek with his fingertips.


    ¡°Um, yes,¡± Elise said, looking away.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about the flirting, Elise.¡±


    ¡°Um?¡± Elise said, trying to take a step backwards as she let go of Rune¡¯s hand. (That was a mistake.) Rune slid his free hand around Elise¡¯s waist as he breeched the new gap between them. ¡°I did it because Steffen ordered me to be pleasant, but also because I was hoping to make you jealous.¡±


    ¡°C-could you back up a little? Maybe?¡± Elise said, using her pointer finger to poke Rune in the chest.


    Rune dropped his head until his forehead rested against Elise¡¯s. ¡°I miss you fiercely whenever I leave for my heroic duties.¡±


    ¡°Ahaaa.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you miss me?¡± Rune asked, his breath brushing Elise¡¯s face.


    ¡°Of c-course I miss you.¡±


    When Rune tangled his hand in Elise¡¯s wild hair, Elise had enough. ¡°No, no. This is yours, I believe,¡± she said, unhooking his arm from around her waist and pushing it into his chest. She jumped away from him and semi-violently brushed herself off before shaking like a wet dog.


    ¡°What are you smirking at?¡± she asked when she turned to see Rune grinning widely.


    ¡°I was just thinking,¡± he said.


    ¡°About?¡± Elise snapped, angry that she let Rune push her off balance.


    ¡°If being close to me makes you blush and upsets you so, you cannot possibly see me as your brother,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°So I¡¯m still a viable marriage option,¡± Rune said, his grin turning into a pleased smile.


    All the blood in Elise¡¯s face drained. ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°I still have a chance,¡± Rune said before patting Brida¡¯s mare and leading her back to the pen.


    Elise was silent for a few moments. ¡°No, you don¡¯t,¡± she called, suddenly remembering herself as she scrambled to grab Falk¡¯s horse.


    ¡°I do. As sure as the sun shines, I do,¡± Rune laughed.


    ¡°Go turn into a swan and eat a bug,¡± Elise muttered.


    Rune responded with a joyful, light-hearted laugh.


    Elise and her swan companion sat together and watched Brida perform her morning practice routine.


    Elise was shocked when, as she tied another nettle stem into the shirt, Brida dropped the sword she was practicing with.


    ¡°You honestly did not know Prince Rune loved you, did you?¡±


    Elise eyed Brida above the shirt and suspiciously pulled her head back.


    ¡°There¡¯s no use denying it. Prince Rune has mooned over you for years. I always thought you were malicious for ignoring his feelings. Did you really never see them?¡±


    Elise absentmindedly knitted as she thought. Had she ever noticed the way Rune¡ªor Falk¡ªtreated her was different? To a certain extent, yes. Falk wasn¡¯t vocally rude to people as he was to Elise, and Rune was kind to all, but even Elise knew she was special to him just as he was special to her.

 Page 48

    But love?


    No, Elise never saw that coming, had never dared to even think about it. From the day she was chosen as a foster child, all she concerned herself with was ways to prove her worth to her foster family. She never imagined any of them would genuinely want her.Advertisement


    She had dared to hope for friendship with Gerhart, and eventually with Steffen once she started to work with him more as she took over the Treasury Department, but romance was never a deep desire of Elise¡¯s. She wanted to be happy, yes, so she would be careful in selecting her marriage partner, but she never thought anyone¡ªMertein included¡ªwould love her with passion.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t know,¡± Brida said.


    Elise shook her head.


    Brida scratched the back of her neck and sighed. ¡°You understand that he¡ªthey, really, I suppose¡ªis devoted to you? Ignoring Prince Rune¡¯s and Prince Falk¡¯s feelings doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re going to go away. Nor is it fair to the princes to reject them by not even acknowledging them.¡±


    Elise looked pained and gestured at Brida. What was she to do?


    Brida snorted. ¡°As if I would know,¡± she said, picking up her sword again. She glanced at the swan and returned her attention to Elise. ¡°But why not give them a chance? Let them both court you.¡±


    Elise stared at Brida with wide eyes and clutched the shirt to her chest regardless of the burning nettles.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like they¡¯re going to eat you,¡± Brida said.


    Elise nodded vigorously.


    ¡°You have got some disastrous notions of love, Princess,¡± Brida said before slashing the air with her sword.


    Elise shrugged and slowly went back to knitting.


    ¡°One thing is for sure: you underestimate Prince Falk¡¯s feelings for you,¡± Brida grunted.


    Elise looked up at her with disbelieving eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying this just because I admire Prince Rune,¡± Brida said, rolling her eyes. ¡°I mean it. Prince Rune is your most obvious supporter, but Prince Falk¡­He has your back.¡±


    Elise tilted her head.


    ¡°Well, who do you think is sitting with you right now?¡± Brida asked, pointing to Elise¡¯s swan companion with her sword.


    Elise looked at the swan, and the swan looked back at Elise.


    ¡°It¡¯s not Prince Rune. He can barely control his swan self. Who else do you think would follow you around like that?¡± Brida asked.


    Elise was genuinely starting to wish Brida wasn¡¯t so free with her words as she looked away from the swan. She didn¡¯t want to know which Arcainian Prince it was that sat with her for most of the day.


    ¡°I know we aren¡¯t friends, and we haven¡¯t been on the best of terms¡ªwhich I regret,¡± Brida said. ¡°What I mean is this: could you be satisfied with a Mertein when a man like Prince Falk or Prince Rune would give anything to have you?¡±


    Elise scowled. Even if he had jilted her, Mertein was still a nice boy.


    Brida waved her hand through the air. ¡°Yes, your past sweetheart was the nicest sort of man. He didn¡¯t have a temper¡ªwhich is an admirable trait¡ªand he cared for his family. But could you see him loving you so much he would follow you around all day as a big white bird? Would someone like Mertein be upset and disappointed with themselves ¡®cause they can¡¯t rescue you?¡±


    Elise looked away from Brida¡¯s prying eyes.


    ¡°Consider it, F¨¹rstin,¡± Brida said, walking off.


    Elise watched the captain go with wide eyes, wondering what had gotten in to her¡­ although she did have a point. Elise looked at her swan companion, who was preening his feathers. Which prince was it that stayed with her all day long?


    Chapter 9


    It was unfortunate, but Prince Toril was back the day after Elise¡¯s one-sided conversation with Brida.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t blow your whistle,¡± he said, this time happening upon Elise as she knitted a few feet from the pond shore.


    About half of the swans abandoned their usual pursuits and floated near Elise, watching Prince Toril with coal-colored eyes.


    ¡°Erm, yes. I remember I made an acquaintance with your swans last time, in addition to your bear-like maid,¡± Prince Toril said, jumping backwards when one of the swans hissed at him.


    Elise stood and planted her hands on her hips so she could properly stare the prince down.


    ¡°I brought food this time,¡± Prince Toril said, holding a cloth bag. He reached inside to pluck out a loaf of bread.


    Elise pinched the whistle between her lips but didn¡¯t blow¡ªBrida would be back shortly. She was exercising her horse at the moment. The bread was very tempting, since her arrival at the pond, Elise had lived on nothing but fish, berries, and whatever vegetation Falk found.


    Prince Toril broke off an end. ¡°Don¡¯t you want some?¡± he coaxed, offering the piece to her.


    Prince Toril did not strike Elise as being smart enough to poison and/or drug food, so she cautiously took the bread, inspecting it for any odd smells or colors worked into the dough.

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    ¡°By the heavens, what have you done to your hands?!¡±


    Elise almost dropped the bread in surprise. She glanced down at her hands, which Prince Toril stared at in morbid fascination, before tucking them behind her back.Advertisement


    Although Falk¡¯s pastes and plants lessened the pain when Elise was not knitting, they did nothing to improve her hands¡¯ appearance. Her long, slender fingers were marred and swollen¡ªher nails broken and cracked. The tops and palms of her hands were covered in oozing welts, and the skin of her hands was tinted red¡ªwhether it was from the nettles or the constant pinpricks that leaked blood, Elise didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°Has that bear-maid of yours been mistreating you?¡± Prince Toril demanded.


    Elise shook her head and ate her first bite of bread before she motioned to her knitting materials.


    Prince Toril briefly crouched and prodded the green, prickly shirt Elis was working on. ¡°You¡¯re knitting with nettles,¡± he said before hopping upright to avoid getting nipped by a swan. ¡°Maybe Ludger was right. Are you crazy?¡±


    Elise shrugged at Prince Toril, picked up her knitting, and walked further up shore with her flock of swan chaperones.


    Prince Toril trekked around her for a few minutes, until Brida returned.


    ¡°You,¡± Brida said, narrowing her eyes as she slid from her horse¡¯s back.


    ¡°Good day to you, madam. I have returned as promised, and I brought provisions,¡± Prince Toril said, holding the bag of food out in front of him.


    Brida ignored the offering. ¡°Has he been bothering you?¡± Brida asked Elise, sliding her sword out of its scabbard with an ominous swish.


    Elise shook her head and held up the hunk of bread she still had left.


    Brida took the bread and sniffed it before she handed it back to Elise. She frowned at Prince Toril. ¡°Leave.¡±


    ¡°Madam,¡± Prince Toril protested. ¡°I have come here to offer you sanctuary and protection. It is clear that the two of you are travel companions of a sort. But living in the wild is not safe for two innocent ladies.¡±


    When Brida extended her sword at him, Prince Toril hastily added, ¡°Even one as dangerous and well-armed as you.¡±


    Brida sniffed in contempt.


    ¡°The invitation is genuine,¡± Prince Toril insisted. ¡°But we are leaving tomorrow, so you shall have to make up your mind quickly.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not leaving,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°These woods you live in belong to my father. He won¡¯t suffer your presence very long,¡± Prince Toril said.


    ¡°The only way he¡¯ll even know of our presence is if you or that big-mouthed hunter mention it,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°That may be so, but I still insist that you return home with me. Both of you will be very comfortable in the palace. You can go on knitting with prickly plants and¡­ being prickly in general,¡± Prince Toril said.


    ¡°I think it is time for you to return home, Prince Toril.¡±


    Prince Toril braved the swans to pass Brida the sack of food. ¡°Very well, but please think about it. That is all I ask.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sure,¡± Brida dryly said. She muttered under her breath as Prince Toril hurried back into the forest. ¡°Prancing do-gooder. We will mention it to your brothers tonight, F¨¹rstin, but I can¡¯t see them agreeing.¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s a wonderful idea,¡± Steffen said.


    Everyone turned to stare at him.


    ¡°Think about it for a moment,¡± Steffen said.


    Erick reached for his missing glasses before he made do with rubbing his temple. ¡°Elise would be safe, fed better, and given more comfortable quarters to work in. She¡¯ll have Brida with her to talk on her behalf, too,¡± he listed.


    ¡°But everyone knows the King of Verglas is off his rocker,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°Verglas is the only country with an organized, accepted guild for assassins,¡± Mikk said, exhausting his supply of words for the day.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be living with a madman,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that bring less attention to her actions, though?¡± Gerhart asked, sitting next to Elise. He blanched and turned to her. ¡°No offense; it¡¯s not like you want to do this.¡±


    Elise smiled. ¡°I know what you mean. If the king really is mad, the people will not think my knitting is at all noteworthy.¡±


    ¡°Madmen are unpredictable,¡± Falk said, his voice chilly with disapproval.


    ¡°Prince Dimwit doesn¡¯t know Elise is the princess of Arcainia. He isn¡¯t going to invite her to the royal table or anything. In fact, I would say it is safe to assume that Elise will never see King Torgen,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°We¡¯re gambling that Elise will be safe in the palace of a tyrant. King Torgen is not known for his kindness. It isn¡¯t safe there,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t safe for her out here, either,¡± Steffen snapped. ¡°I don¡¯t revel in the idea, but if she¡¯s separated from Brida, Elise is an easy mark for anyone.¡±


    ¡°We could protect her,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°We¡¯re swans, in case you¡¯ve forgotten,¡± Steffen said.

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    ¡°We have been unusually lucky that no one has discovered Elise before now,¡± Erick acknowledged.


    ¡°I believe I have done a suitable job of protecting Princess Elise since my arrival,¡± Brida stiffly said.Advertisement


    ¡°Of course you have,¡± Nick said, quick to defend her.


    ¡°Brida has done a fantastic job,¡± Elise said, ¡°But there is truth in what Steffen says. I have no defensive skills. I could rip a country to shreds or build it up to the sky if I had access to its treasury, but I am not learned in any kind of weapon.¡±


    ¡°You want to go with Prince Toril?¡± Rune asked, looking as betrayed as if she had stabbed him in the gut.


    ¡°No. Truthfully I don¡¯t know which option is better. I am merely acknowledging my limitations,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Elise should stay here,¡± Rune said. ¡°Only Erick and possibly Gerhart are siding with you, Steffen. We have no real reason to move Elise.¡±


    Brida shifted uncomfortably on the log she sat on.


    Falk flicked his eyes in her direction. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Prince Steffen may be right,¡± Brida slowly acknowledged.


    ¡°Why?¡± Mikk asked.


    Brida rearranged the stack of firewood placed next to her before she replied. ¡°Soldiers from Arcainia have been dispatched to find F¨¹rstin Elise.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Nick yelped. ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°How do you know,¡± Mikk asked, his eyebrows sinking over his eyes.


    Brida bit her lip.


    ¡°Captain Meier,¡± Mikk said.


    ¡°I met one of the squad captains while exercising my horse today.¡±


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t think to tell us before now?¡± Rune demanded.


    Brida winced but did not defend herself. ¡°None of Arcainia¡¯s soldiers would willingly look for F¨¹rstin, much less bring her back to Arcainia, but Clotilde smartened up. She sent a squad of soldiers only after she took their families captive.¡±


    ¡°And this fellow captain just volunteered this information? You don¡¯t find that suspicious?¡± Falk scoffed.


    ¡°The captain said he trusted no harm would come to the families¡ªbefore his squad left, Princess Gabrielle contacted him to let him she would free Clotilde¡¯s civilian captives. They aren¡¯t really looking for F¨¹rstin Elise,¡± Brida said.


    Steffen sniffed. ¡°At least Gabi is managing to do something useful,¡± he scoffed.


    ¡°But?¡± Mikk prodded Brida.


    Brida looked at the ground. ¡°But the captain expected soon Clotilde would send forth a squad who would eagerly search out F¨¹rstin. Apparently she has been working her magic arts on a few soldiers, and they are just as besotted with her as King Henrik is.¡±


    ¡°Well, that changes everything,¡± Erick said.


    Nick cracked his knuckles. ¡°Elise will have to go with Toril.¡±


    Mikk nodded.


    ¡°Maybe we could follow Prince Toril and ditch him at the outskirts of a large city,¡± Elise said.


    Steffen scowled. ¡°No, it won¡¯t work out well. By inviting us to the palace, he will place us under his protection, and as scant as that protection is, even besotted soldiers would think twice before dragging you back home. Besides, we do have a grip on Verglas, should we need to use it.¡±


    ¡°A grip?¡± Gerhart said.


    ¡°Two years ago, I bought a large portion of Verglas¡¯s governmental debt,¡± Elise said. ¡°We could force their good behavior by making the debt due. All the same, I would like to avoid such a confrontation. It would be easy enough to silence us as we are in their country.¡±


    ¡°I still don¡¯t like it,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Of course you don¡¯t. We¡¯re leading Elise into the den of a man who could very well be a marriage prospect,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°You and I would die before we handed her over to that idiot,¡± Rune declared.


    ¡°As we keep pondering, Verglas does have a legal assassin guild,¡± Falk smiled.


    ¡°I am not excited about it either, but Elise¡¯s safety is our top priority,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°So is everyone in agreement, then? Elise and Brida should accept Prince Toril¡¯s invitation?¡± Erick asked.


    Six reluctant males chimed in.


    ¡°Aye.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°If she must.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°So it is settled. When Price Toril returns, Brida will tell him they accept his offer,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°Provided she can bring us with,¡± Gerhart was quick to add.


    ¡°Very well,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°In that case, we need to start packing Elise up,¡± Rune said, heading for her shelter.


    ¡°We must also plan out acceptable behavior,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°Erick is right. Captain Meier, Elise, you cannot let anyone find out who you are. Do you understand? If King Torgen realizes he has the beloved princess of Arcainia in his clutches, there is no telling what he will do,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Yes, brother.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Prince Steffen.¡±


    Brida and Elise were ready for Prince Toril when he showed up the following day.


    ¡°Good morning to you, madams. I trust you slept well? Yes?¡± he answered himself when Brida stonily stared at him and did not deign to give him a response. ¡°Have you thought about my offer?¡±


    ¡°We have. We will come.¡±

 Page 51

    ¡°I must beg you to reconsider for it is not safe¡ªwait, you will come?¡± Prince Toril said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Brida said.Advertisement


    Prince Toril clapped his hands together. ¡°That is wonderful news indeed. I am glad you see the sense in my plan. When will you be ready to leave?¡±


    ¡°Now.¡±


    ¡°Now?¡± Prince Toril repeated.


    ¡°Yes. The horses are saddled, and the birds are ready.¡±


    ¡°The birds?¡±


    ¡°Do you have a problem understanding the words I am saying? Why must you repeat them? Yes, the birds. We could not possibly travel without her swans,¡± Brida said, nodding at Elise.


    ¡°Oh. Of course,¡± Prince Toril weakly said as he looked past Elise where her brothers were flocked together on shore, waiting to take off until Elise climbed in the saddle and started the journey.


    ¡°So¡­ may we depart?¡± Brida asked after a minute of silence.


    Prince Toril¡¯s smile was back. ¡°Yes, of course. My horse is just past these trees,¡± he said, heading back into the trees.


    Brida mounted up her horse, and Elise took up the lead rope of Falk¡¯s horse¡ªwho was laden with nettles, Elise¡¯s finished shirts, and various plants Falk had plucked the night before for medicinal purposes.


    ¡°We will travel with a few other men¡ªsoldiers and hunters who accompanied me. There are only five of them, so there is no need to be afraid. Aren¡¯t you going to ride?¡± Prince Toril said when he came back¡ªriding a splendid-looking horse.


    Elise shook her head.


    ¡°You could ride behind me if your mount is otherwise burdened,¡± Prince Toril said, glancing at Falk¡¯s horse. ¡°You are a slight thing; my horse will hardly notice your extra weight.¡±


    Elise shook her head again, but Prince Toril wasn¡¯t about to take no for an answer.


    ¡°You cannot walk to Ostfold. It¡¯s too far. My horse has very soothing gaits, I promise you,¡± Prince Toril said, grabbing Elise by her forearm.


    Elise looked to Brida who shrugged. ¡°He has a point.¡±


    Elise frowned, but scrambled up behind Prince Toril.


    ¡°There, this isn¡¯t so bad, is it¡ªoof,¡± he said when Elise lodged her arms around his stomach so tightly she squeezed air from him. ¡°Nothing to fear,¡± Prince Toril wheezed.


    The prince led the way, leaving Brida to pony up Falk¡¯s horse before bringing up the rear. The Arcainian Princes hissed and bumped one another before they took off, circling overhead as Prince Toril led them through the forest.


    Within several minutes, they met up with the rest of Prince Toril¡¯s party and set off for Ostfold, the capital of Verglas.


    ¡°So, where do you come from?¡± Prince Toril asked. He spoke at a volume that made Elise think he was talking to her, but Brida answered for her.


    ¡°Loire,¡± she lied.


    Prince Toril nodded. ¡°And what are your names?¡±


    ¡°I am Brenda. She¡¯s Elsa,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°What brought you to Verglas?¡±


    ¡°We live in a border town. Elsa¡¯s remaining kin died, and the villagers never liked that she couldn¡¯t talk, so they ran her off.¡±


    ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m her friend; I couldn¡¯t let her go alone.¡±


    As Brida and Prince Toril chatted, Elise studied the men traveling with them.


    They had the look and air of Verglas to them¡ªmeaning they were sturdy and tough like their Verglas-bred horses, but they smiled kindly, and Elise¡¯s unnatural silence did not seem to bother them.


    When they reached a road, Elise looked up and, through the breaks in the trees, could spy a flock of white swans flying.


    Going to Ostfold was a frightening prospect, but with Brida behind her and her foster family above her, Elise thought everything would be alright.


    Ostfold was not what Elise expected.


    Unlike Brandis, which was all stone, most of Ostfold was built out of wood. Each building had a slanted roof and pointed turrets, and every window had painted shutters. The buildings were beautiful and in perfect condition¡ªeach house seemed to have a fresh coat of paint on it, and beautiful wood carvings could be found in every nook and cranny of even the lowliest building.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you worry about fires?¡± Brida asked as they rode through Ostfold¡ªwhich was about the size of one of Arcainia¡¯s medium-sized cities.


    ¡°No. Why would we?¡± Prince Toril blinked.


    Brida and Elise exchanged glances as they rode on, heading for the royal palace.


    The royal palace was smaller than Elise pictured. The Sole Ambassador mocked Castle Brandis for its size, but the Ostfold palace was only half the size of Brandis. The Verglas Royal Palace also had a significantly different style of architecture than the traditional castle. Instead of solid lines and a smooth roof, every part of the castle jutted up into triangular cut outs, like fat stalagmites of ice. There was only one tower in the castle, and it was tall and skinny and shaped like a well-sharpened pencil.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it beautiful?¡± Prince Toril asked.

 Page 52

    Elise found herself nodding. Although Ostfold and the palace weren¡¯t as beautiful to her as Castle Brandis, it did have an exotic sort of beauty, and Elise admired all the triangles and straight lines.


    ¡°I thought you could take refuge at Lake Sno,¡± Prince Toril said as he led the way to the back of the royal palace. Behind the oddly beautiful castle was a huge lake. It was a gorgeous aqua color Elise had never seen in water before.Advertisement


    ¡°It¡¯s pretty cold since it¡¯s snowfed from the mountains, but your swans should be able to brave it,¡± Prince Toril said, glancing overhead where the flock flew.


    ¡°There¡¯s a small cottage where a hermit used to live, before my father threw him out,¡± Prince Toril said, speaking the second part quickly. ¡°It should house you two quite comfortably. There it is.¡±


    Elise was relieved to see that the cottage Price Toril pointed to was out of the way of the palace. Between the palace and the cottage were the royal gardens, the stables, servants¡¯ quarters, and a good-sized hill. The cottage was nestled into a group of pine trees that backed up into a large forest. It stretched up one of the mountainsides Ostfold leaned against. It was a stone¡¯s throw from a small inlet the lake stretched into, formed complements of the hill and the forest.


    It would be close enough to civilization that they would be safe, but far enough away that no one would take note of seven transforming swans at sundown.


    ¡°Do you like it?¡± Prince Toril asked.


    Elise nodded.


    ¡°It will do. You have our thanks, Prince Toril,¡± Brida said, regaining some of her manners due to the proximity of a palace.


    ¡°No thanks are necessary. It is my duty as a royal prince to see to the happiness of peasants,¡± Prince Toril said, an idiotic grin on his face.


    Behind his back Brida rolled her eyes.


    ¡°I will take the ladies to their new residence. I¡¯ll see you tonight at the Rabbit and the Reindeer?¡± Prince Toril asked his companions.


    ¡°Aye,¡± they chorused out.


    ¡°Take care, ladies,¡± one of the more talkative soldiers said to Brida and Elise.


    Elise waved in farewell as Toril directed his horse down the dirt path that led to the cottage. Brida hurried after them, clicking to her mare and Falk¡¯s mount to keep them going when they longingly eyed the beautiful stables.


    ¡°Almost there,¡± Brida murmured.


    The cottage was unsurprisingly made of wood. It had just one carving in the exterior¡ªan extravagant snowflake posted just above the doorframe. What was most astonishing about the cottage, though, was its roof. It was covered with green grass.


    Both Elise and Brida stared at the green roof.


    ¡°What? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Prince Toril asked after he dismounted his horse, being careful not to kick Elise in her open mouth.


    Brida pointed to the cottage. ¡°The roof. It is growing grass,¡± she said respectfully, just in case the somewhat clueless prince hadn¡¯t noticed.


    ¡°So?¡± he asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s grass,¡± Brida repeated.


    ¡°Sod roofs are common practice in Verglas,¡± Prince Toril said, helping Elise down.


    ¡°Why?¡± Brida asked as she too dismounted.


    ¡°They provide wonderful insulation in the winter, and they¡¯re heavy, so it supports the structure,¡± Prince Toril said. ¡°They¡¯re actually covered in birch bark underneath the greenery. The birch bark is what makes the roof waterproof. The grass just keeps it in place.¡±


    Brida accepted this explanation and set about unpacking the horses.


    Elise, however, stared at the roof in morbid fascination.


    Prince Toril caught her extreme interest and chuckled. ¡°Some folk occasionally toss their goats on their roof.¡±


    Elise swung to face him with disbelieving eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s true. It keeps the goat from wandering off, and their roof gets trimmed so it does not become a bushy eyesore,¡± Prince Toril said.


    Elise was not entirely convinced Toril was telling the truth, but the loud flapping of wings told her she had no time to further enquire. She left Prince Toril and Brida and walked to the lake shore, plunging in until she was up to her knees.


    Prince Toril was right¡ªthe water was cold!


    Elise waved to her flock of swans, who circled the inlet before they landed in the water¡ªmanaging to do so with a small amount of grace so they did not crash into each other or spatter the lake surface as they were prone to doing.


    ¡°Once you are settled in, I shall return. Otherwise, you can expect a kitchen girl to deliver food for you every morning and evening. If you have a need for anything, just ask her¡ªor if it is urgent, you may ask any guard around the palace,¡± Prince Toril said.


    Elise hurried out of the water when the swans began splashing each other in their exuberance to be back in water.


    ¡°Again, you have our thanks, Prince Toril,¡± Brida said before she bowed.


    Elise hastily curtsied, purposely using the plainest curtsy she could.

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    Prince Toril beamed, happy with Brida, Elise, and in all likeliness, himself. ¡°It is no trouble at all. Good day to both of you, and welcome to Ostfold,¡± he said before hefting himself back in the saddle and disappearing over the crest of the hill.


    ¡°That is one odd prince,¡± Brida said before she pulled the horses over to a makeshift shelter. Judging by the short fence, it had been constructed for goats, but the lean-to and water trough would be good enough for horses as well-trained as Brida¡¯s and Falk¡¯s.Advertisement


    Elise nodded, even though Brida couldn¡¯t see her, and gathered up the saddle bag that held her three finished shirts.


    ¡°This will suit us fine, don¡¯t you think F¨¹rst¡ªElsa?¡± Brida asked as she emerged from the lean-to and headed for the cottage. The captain had to lean heavily against the door to open it, and almost fell inside when the door finally gave.


    The inside of the cottage was cramped and dusty, but there was a fireplace, a crude counter, and two rickety chairs. A ladder led to a loft filled with sweet-smelling straw that would serve as a bed.


    Elise heaved her knitting projects inside before she offered Brida a smile.


    ¡°I agree. I like it, too,¡± Brida said, even though Elise hadn¡¯t spoken. ¡°We will be quite comfortable here. Your brothers made the right decision.¡±


    Elise hoped she was right, but she couldn¡¯t help but feel a nagging shard of doubt wiggling in the back of her mind. She left the cottage to watch her foster brothers splash in the lake, but her gaze was drawn to the bits of the royal palace she could see over the hill.


    Although everyone appeared happy, and all of Ostfold was beautiful, Elise felt somehow the tidy exterior was used to cover a dark secret.


    Chapter 10


    ¡°Everything seems well enough,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°It will be harder for us to find food. Snow fed bodies of water typically don¡¯t have fish in them¡ªthe waters are too cold,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°Perhaps Prince Toril will realize that and give Elise food for us?¡± Nick said.


    ¡°So we will have to choose between bugs and bird food. Funny, I never thought I would have to make that decision in my life,¡± Gerhart said from the cottage loft.


    Brida, Elise, and the seven princes were crowded inside the cottage¡ªmore to keep anyone from seeing them than for shelter purposes.


    ¡°The thing to concentrate on is that we are all here, and we all made it safely. Elise only has three and a half shirts left. We¡¯re halfway to freedom,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°Yes, so everyone take this moment to give thanks to Elise,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Thank you, sister,¡± Nick grinned, affectionately ruffling Elise¡¯s hair.


    ¡°Thank you, Elise,¡± Rune said, reaching out to touch her before Falk smacked him. ¡°Ouch.¡±


    ¡°If we stay on our guard, we should be able to pass the remainder of our cursed days idly,¡± Steffen said. ¡°No questionable behavior. Everyone, act like swans.¡±


    ¡°Yes, brother.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh.¡±


    ¡°Bossy brute.¡±


    Elise couldn¡¯t help the laugh that bubbled up from her stomach, which drew grins from her brothers. They spent the remainder of the hour in high spirits and lighthearted chatter.


    Elise¡¯s time at Ostfold fell into a predictable pattern. She rose with the sun and sat outside on a smooth rock and knitted until the kitchen girl arrived with oatmeal for Elise and Brida and cracked corn for the swan princes.


    After breakfast, Elise went back to knitting, and Brida stole away into the woods to practice her stances and weaponry out of sight of the palace. At noon, they usually snacked on berries Brida found and bread left behind by the kitchen girl. After more hours of knitting, the kitchen girl returned with dinner¡ªusually mutton or creamed fish soup.


    Soldiers on horseback rode past twice a day, patrolling a circuit around the lake.


    Prince Toril visited several times a week to plead with Elise to speak to him.


    ¡°I know you must be able talk. Your bear-maid speaks for both of you, and she doesn¡¯t seem the type to be extraordinarily good at reading body language,¡± he said during the second week since their arrival at Ostfold.


    Elise only smiled and shook her head as she kept knitting.


    ¡°Why do you do this? Why do you put yourself through this? It must be for a purpose,¡± Prince Toril persisted.


    Elise paused her work long enough to lay a hand on the back of her companion swan. Would it be harmful to give Prince Toril the main reason, the heart of why she worked so laboriously in spite of the pain? She didn¡¯t think so.


    Elise winced when she realized she left behind a set of bloody fingerprints on the snow white feathers of her companion swan, but she turned to Prince Toril and attempted to make several different signs and motions.


    ¡°For love?¡± Prince Toril said, surprisingly able to interpret her gestures. ¡°You do all of this for love?¡±


    Elise nodded and went back to knitting.


    Prince Toril thoughtfully stared at the swans that floated on the surface of the lake. ¡°You must really love them,¡± he finally said.

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    Elise smiled, the lines of her face softening with the gesture.


    Prince Toril nodded a few times. ¡°I will leave you to your knitting. I¡¯m leaving for another hunting trip in a few days, but do not fear¡ªthe kitchen girl will still bring food,¡± he said as he stood. ¡°I wish you luck with your task,¡± he said, walking off before Elise could even try to sign or gesture anything to him.Advertisement


    Elise turned to her swan companion and shrugged.


    One of the many things Elise was learning during this trial was that royal princes were moody creatures.


    Several days later, Elise was sitting alone and knitting with her pile of finished shirts when four soldiers marched down the hill and up to her.


    ¡°King Torgen has asked for your presence in the palace,¡± a soft spoken soldier said, exchanging an uneasy glance with his fellow warriors.


    Getting a terrible sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, Elise moved to toss her knitting in the cottage.


    ¡°King Torgen wishes that you would bring your work with you,¡± the soldier said.


    Elise gathered the shirts in her arms, her desire to keep them safe overriding the pain of the nettles scratching her arms. She glanced over her shoulder, wondering if she should whistle for Brida, but one of the soldiers gently steered her forward before she had the chance.


    The soldiers brought Elise past the servants¡¯ quarters, through the royal gardens, and into the splendid, wooden palace.


    The servants and people they ran into and saw seemed nice enough, although everyone moved with quick, nervous energy.


    Elise¡¯s stomach was rolling by the time they reached the dining room, where King Torgen sat near a fireplace with two wolfhounds.


    ¡°So you brought the street rat that captured Toril¡¯s attention? Good work,¡± King Torgen said.


    Unlike his easy-going son, King Torgen looked mean-spirited. He reminded Elise of an inbred dog. His features should have been handsome, but they were too strong, and his eyes were lit with a strange, feverish light.


    ¡°She¡¯s not much to look at. What is your name, girl?¡± the king demanded.


    ¡°My Lord, the girl is mute. Her traveling companion calls her Elsa,¡± the quiet soldier said.


    Elise hunched her shoulders to and tried to look intimidated. It wasn¡¯t very hard¡ªKing Torgen seemed to burn with deep hatred and anger.


    ¡°Trying to get Toril¡¯s attention so you can be queen, hmm?¡± he said.


    Elise shook her head.


    ¡°Hah, like one could believe you. Toril will not be charmed by you for long. He moves from one love to the next with great indiscretion. Soon you will be another face he wooed and forgot,¡± King Torgen said.


    Elise could tell the four soldiers surrounding her were uncomfortable with the topic. Although they did not shift, the wooden shafts of the spears they held cracked as they clenched their weapons.


    ¡°You have the look of a mongrel. You aren¡¯t from Verglas, are you?¡± King Torgen said. ¡°Is she?¡± he said, fixing his gaze on the soldier who spoke for her earlier.


    The soldier cleared his throat. ¡°I was told she comes from Loire.¡±


    ¡°Loire? That foreign filth? Pah! I cannot believe Toril has defiled Ostfold with her presence,¡± the King Torgen said, leaning back in his chair. ¡°I¡¯m told that in addition to your traveling companion, you brought seven swans with you. Gifts for my table, perhaps?¡±


    Elise violently shook her head.


    ¡°I believe they are pets, My Lord,¡± the soldier said, taking pity on Elise.


    Elise eagerly nodded.


    King Torgen fell silent, which made Elise even more uncomfortable than when he spoke. He stared at her with feverish intensity, and Elise could see unreadable thoughts churning in his mind.


    He reminded her of Clotilde, but more twisted. Clotilde was a bigger threat because of her dark magic, but her motivation was her selfishness and greed. King Torgen was like an abandoned well. No one knew how deep the hole went, or what monstrosities the darkness hid.


    King Torgen stood and walked a slow circle around Elise, making the hair on the back of her neck prickle.


    After making a full circuit, King Torgen leaned in and whispered to Elise, ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are, but I recognize the signs of a task taken up for the sake of breaking a curse.¡± King Torgen¡¯s breath was foul. It smelled like stale wine and decayed, mushy onions.


    Elise¡¯s eyes watered, but she fixed a meek look on her face as King Torgen continued. ¡°I don¡¯t have much sympathy for simpletons who are cursed. They deserve it,¡± he hissed before he ripped the nettle shirts out of Elise¡¯s hands. ¡°What do we have here? This is obvious the work of black magic,¡± King Torgen said, inspecting the four shirts.


    ¡°With all due respect, My Lord, wouldn¡¯t the Snow Queen¡¯s magic kept her out of our borders if her work is evil?¡± the soldier asked.


    King Torgen narrowed his eyes at the kind soldier. ¡°Perhaps. But one can never be too careful,¡± he said, walking towards the fireplace.

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    Elise saw what he meant to do and lunged for him. The soldiers grabbed her and held her back, but they couldn¡¯t bear to look at their monarch.


    When King Torgen reached the crackling fire he turned around and draped three of the shirts over his arm. He held the last shirt¡ªthe unfinished one¡ªup as if to inspect it.Advertisement


    Elise shook her head and reached out, pleading for mercy.


    King Torgen smiled¡ªa sick, twisted smile¡ªand dropped the shirt in the fire. ¡°Black magic is not tolerated in Verglas.¡±


    Elise opened and closed her mouth, unable to beg as her weeks of hard work burned up and turned into ash. The green nettles and endless loops turned ash gray as they caught fire and shrank, curling in the heat of the fire. Soon not a stitch of the first shirt remained. Elise hooked her eyes on the second shirt King Torgen held and struggled against the soldiers.


    King Torgen dropped the second shirt in the fire. He stared at Elise, smiling in delight as he observed her despair.


    The fire hissed and crackled as it consumed the second shirt, ripping apart what took Elise weeks of pain, dedication, and love to accomplish.


    Elise was crying by the time King Torgen took the third shirt from where it was draped over his arm. Tears poured down her face. Please, she mouthed.


    ¡°No,¡± King Torgen said before he dropped the shirt. He clapped his hands as Elise sank to her knees, her tears falling like raindrops. There was a roaring in her ears as she stared at the greedy fire that burned the third shirt.


    Her foster-brothers were doomed to remain swans. All of Elise¡¯s work was for naught.


    Her ears rang, and Elise knew she was losing control of herself as the last loops of the third shirt were devoured by orange flames.


    King Torgen laughed, and Elise clenched her bruised, oozing, and welt covered hands into fists. All of her pain, every moment she had spent knitting was wasted.


    Elise caught the thought and shook her head. The capes were gone, yes. But Elise would never call an attempt, even a failed attempt, to free her foster brothers, to free Rune, Steffen, Falk, Erick, Nick, Mikk, and Gerhart a waste.


    Elise squeezed her eye shut, cutting off her tears. When she snapped her eyes open she arranged her legs beneath her and forced herself to stand. She faced King Torgen with every ounce of training she had, standing with perfect posture and her chin raised. She looked down at King Torgen as if he were her lesser, because he was her lesser.


    The soldiers were crowded around Elise, but the let go of her and were unable to keep themselves from bowing and murmuring apologies for manhandling her so.


    King Torgen met her gaze. ¡°Look at the chit pretending to be¡ª,¡± he cut himself when Elise smirked at him. It was the barest curling of her lips, but it was enough to make King Torgen shut his mouth with an audible click.


    The Verglas King glared daggers at Elise. He threw the last shirt on the fire and stalked off. ¡°Witch,¡± he hissed as he passed Elise.


    Elise lunged for the fireplace. She tried to snatch the burning shirt from the flames, but the fire was too hot and blistering.


    ¡°Allow me,¡± one of the soldiers said, putting a hand in front of Elise and scooping her aside before he used the end of his spear to fish the shirt out of the fire.


    The soldier set it on the ground and stamped on the edges to put out the flames, squashing it.


    Almost half of the shirt was destroyed, but once it cooled off Elise gathered it up as if it was knitted gold.


    She left the palace, barefoot and her face smeared with tears, with the presence of a queen. The soldiers escorted her and her half shirt to the cottage.


    ¡°My Lady,¡± they said, bowing deeply to her¡ªthe highest compliment they could pay and the only consolation they could offer¡ªbefore they left.


    Elise sat on her smooth rock and arranged her skirts around her. The shirt sat on her lap like a beloved pet. Elise placed a hand on it and looked up when one of the swans left the lake water to approach her.


    Unable to hold back her tears any longer, Elise shook her head when the swan tilted his head at her. She unrolled the shirt, her fingers lingering on the burned spots as hot, painful tears crawled down on her cheeks.


    The swan understood, or at least understood that she was upset, and craned his neck to place his head on her shoulder.


    Elise sucked in air, strangling the sob that wanted to pour out of her throat. She buried her face in the swan¡¯s soft, slick feathers and threw her arms around its body.


    They were still like that an hour later when Brida found them.


    ¡°F¨¹rstin? What happened¡ªoh,¡± Brida said, catching sight of the mangled shirt. ¡°Oh, F¨¹rstin,¡± Brida said, her voice echoing Elise¡¯s silent heartbreak.


    The captain placed a hand on Elise¡¯s shoulder, but when Elise didn¡¯t remove herself from her bird consoler, the captain disappeared.


    By sunset, Elise had some control over herself. She hadn¡¯t cried in several hours, but her resolve crumbled as she watched her foster brothers splash their way out of the lake.

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    ¡°Elise? What is wrong? What happened?¡± Rune asked, the first to climb free of the cold water.


    ¡°They¡¯re gone, Rune.¡±Advertisement


    ¡°What are gone?¡± Erick said, just behind his younger brother.


    ¡°The shirts. They¡¯re gone. King Torgen burned all of them,¡± Elise said, nudging the rescued shirt to show the burned nettles.


    ¡°Elise, I¡¯m so sorry,¡± Rune said, wrapping his arms around her.


    Elise cried into his chest, letting the sobs she had held back all afternoon go.


    Rune scooped her up and rocked her like a child as she vented her heartbreak, anger, and misery.


    When Elise was done crying, her eyes were so puffy she could barely see. Rune carried her into cottage, and one of her foster-brothers brought the shirt with and hung it over a chair.


    Gerhart sat in the loft, his legs dangling over the side. Steffen and Erick stood together in one corner of the small cottage. Mikk and Nick were in the other, and Falk stalked back and forth in the open space like a snarling bear.


    Everyone looked up when Brida entered the cottage, carrying a small sack. ¡°So you know?¡± she asked, observing their grim looks.


    ¡°More or less,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°From what we can tell, King Torgen spoke to Elise and burned the shirts. We¡¯re guessing she managed to fish that one out of the fire based on the singed patches,¡± Erick said, pointing to the remaining cape.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s roughly how it happened,¡± Elise said, her voice rough like gravel as she slipped from Rune¡¯s grasp and sat in a free chair.


    Steffen crouched down in front of her and put his hands on his knees. ¡°We only have a few minutes left before we change back, but we need to make something clear. Elise, you don¡¯t need to do this again. In fact, you shouldn¡¯t. It¡¯s enough that you tried. We will wait for Angelique. We don¡¯t want to cause you more pain over this. Do you understand?¡± Steffen asked.


    Elise nodded.


    ¡°Thank you for trying, sister. Your devotion warms my heart, but now it is our turn to take care of you,¡± Steffen said, hugging Elise.


    Nick paced. ¡°Maybe we should leave this place. I thought King Torgen was mad. I didn¡¯t think he was evil.¡±


    ¡°As bad as Clotilde,¡± Mikk said.


    ¡°Since Elise won¡¯t need time to knit, we could travel during the day,¡± Gerhart said.


    ¡°As swans? It¡¯s dangerous here, but it¡¯s more dangerous in the wild,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°And we can¡¯t leave Verglas. Angelique told us to stay here,¡± Steffen added, his voice tired and weary.


    ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± Erick said.


    Steffen nodded and led the way out of the cottage. Mikk and Gerhart were hot on his heels.


    Erick paused to place a hand on Elise¡¯s head. ¡°Be well, and please talk during the day,¡± he said.


    ¡°Yeah, I agree with Erick,¡± Nick said, affectionately ruffling Elise¡¯s hair.


    ¡°As you should. I am the chancellor of a college,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°Hoo, someone¡¯s got an attitude considering he spends his day eating minnows and cracked corn,¡± Nick said as they left the cottage.


    Rune slid his fingertips under Elise¡¯s chin. ¡°Rest well,¡± he said. ¡°I am sorry for your heartbreak,¡± he added, kissing the top of her head.


    Elise would have blushed if her face wasn¡¯t so swollen from all the crying. She looked around. Falk and Brida were the only ones in the cottage. Falk was staring at Elise¡¯s feet, mashing his lips together. ¡°Falk?¡± Elise cautiously asked.


    Falk threw his arms around Elise. It wasn¡¯t the secure, familiar hug Rune gave her. In fact, it was quite awkward and a little uncomfortable, but as he held her to his chest, Elise could hear the quick thud of Falk¡¯s heartbeat and the unsteady heave of his lungs.


    Elise smiled, touched that Falk was so upset on her behalf.


    He let her go as abruptly as he embraced her before he hurried out of the cottage, without speaking.


    Elise joined Brida at the door and watched the princes grumble as they waded into the cold water.


    ¡°Are those knitting needles?¡± Elise asked Brida.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Brida said, turning the sack around in her hands.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Elise said, holding out a hand.


    ¡°You still intend to make the shirts? Even after your brothers said not to?¡± Brida asked, passing the small bag to Elise.


    Elise snorted as her hand closed around the bag. ¡°My brothers are not always right. Besides, do I seem like a quitter to you?¡± she said before she went back into the cottage.


    Brida had a small smile on her lips. ¡°No, you do not, F¨¹rstin.¡±


    When Elise¡¯s swan companion realized the following day that Elise was knitting, he complained all day long. There was hardly a moment when he was not peering over her shoulder, grunting in displeasure or climbing into her lap and getting in the way.

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    When all of her foster-brothers transformed that evening, they tried to talk her out of it. They begged Elise to give up, pleaded with her, and Mikk even threatened her that when they returned to Arcainia, she would never be without a full security detail.


    Elise ignored it all. After a week, the brothers gave up trying to convince the hard-headed princess that she didn¡¯t need to break their curse, and instead spent most of their time assigning blame.Advertisement


    ¡°This is Steffen¡¯s fault. She learned how to be a stubborn mule from him,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°I blame that wretched Prince Toril. Elise can¡¯t leave this place as long as we¡¯re swans, but if she breaks the curse, we are home free. I know I wouldn¡¯t want to spend one day longer with him than I would have to,¡± Gerhart said.


    ¡°I am more inclined to say we share the blame equally. She will not give up not because of her temperament, but because of her affection for us,¡± Erick said. A mischievous glint lit up his eyes. ¡°That is not to say that perhaps she loves some of us differently. Falk, Rune, do either of you care to take the lion¡¯s share of blame?¡±


    ¡°I will find out,¡± Mikk promised.


    Nick clapped. ¡°With Mikk on the case, we¡¯ll soon learn who our darling sister favors.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already told you I don¡¯t favor anyone,¡± Elise said, setting aside the first few loops of her new shirt. (She spent all week repairing the badly burned shirt, and judging by the fact that it was green and holding together, Elise was confident it worked.) ¡°Where is Steffen?¡±


    ¡°Outside,¡± Rune said, glancing out the window. ¡°Perhaps it is your fault, Erick. You always press her about duties.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I was also the one who taught her about the uselessness in doing a task that is too taxing for the payoff,¡± Erick said.


    Elise nodded to Brida¡ªwho was chopping roots with Falk on the rickety table¡ªbefore she slipped out of the cottage.


    Steffen was standing in the lake, up to his knees in water. Elise could only see his back, but his head was tilted up to stare at the moon.


    Elise joined him, wincing when she stepped into the cold water. When she stood next to Steffen, she smothered a surprised gasp.


    Steffen had a hand over his heart. His fingers were clenched, digging into the fabric of his shirt and his skin like claws. The wind ruffled his hair and made him look picturesque, but his blue eyes were soft with heartbreak, like an injured animal or a dying man.


    Never before had Elise seen Steffen wear an expression of such pain¡ªand she had seen him wounded and bleeding everywhere after a skirmish with a goblin.


    Elise ducked back to give him privacy, but Steffen spoke. ¡°I miss her, Elise,¡± he said before he took a shuddering breath. ¡°I miss her so badly it hurts. My heart, my whole being aches. I never thought I would be one of those whipped men who whimper whenever they¡¯re separated from their loved one,¡± he said after a bark of laughter.


    ¡°You love her, Steffen. There is no shame in that,¡± Elise said.


    Steffen nodded. ¡°In my pain, I have become nothing but a hopeless romantic. I want to see her so badly that I stare at the moon, hoping she will glance at it, and for a moment we will look at the same thing.¡±


    He shook his head, and tears slipped down his cheeks. ¡°I feel so wretched. I cannot even count on the curse to take my memories. As a swan, I feel like I am missing a part of myself, and lately I have begun to remember her as I float on the lake. I cannot even remember that I am cursed when I am a swan, but her I recall,¡± Steffen cut himself off and dug his fingers deeper into his chest.


    Elise placed a hand on her brother¡¯s back. ¡°You will see her again, Steffen. And I¡¯m sure in the meantime she is doing her best to help our subjects in your place.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about our subjects. I care about her,¡± Steffen said. ¡°Gabrielle,¡± the crown prince breathed as he stared up at the moon.


    Gabrielle glanced at the moon as she slid a second dagger up her right sleeve. ¡°Almost ready,¡± she said as she tied her hair back with a leather cord.


    The cat watched her, his eyes glowing in the dim light. ¡°It is remarkable to me how easily you cast aside grandeur and silken clothes and return to looking and acting like a street urchin,¡± he complained. ¡°It only goes to show that a pig dressed as a princess is still a pig.¡±


    Gabrielle grinned and grabbed a paintbrush and a capped inkwell. ¡°Disappointed?¡±


    The cat shoved his pink nose in the air and made a ¡°Humph,¡± noise before he leaped off the windowsill and padded across the room. At the last moment, he turned around and said, ¡°Of course not. You wouldn¡¯t be half as fun if you were a stuffed doll like that. Come on. The Queen won¡¯t be out of her chambers for long.¡±


    Gabrielle grabbed the sword¡ªSteffen¡¯s smallest sword¡ªand tied it to her belt. She rubbed the pommel as pain stabbed her heart. ¡°Steffen would laugh himself silly if he knew how badly I missed him, and then he would lecture me about duty and sacrifice, and how the country comes before me, blah, blah, blah,¡± she said.

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    ¡°Stop mooning over your bumpkin-headed prince and get moving,¡± the cat called from the hallway.


    Gabrielle looked up at the moon again. For a moment the heartbreak she was holding back threatened to overtake her. Gabrielle grimly shook her head and pushed the feeling back before she placed a hand on her hip and smirked at the moon. ¡°I¡¯m taking such fabulous care of Arcainia. You will have nothing to complain and bemoan when you get back. Just you wait,¡± she promised before she was out of the room and moving down the hallway.Advertisement


    The cat was just ahead of her, peering around a corner. ¡°The hallway appears to be empty,¡± he said, leaping onto Gabrielle¡¯s shoulder when she hunched over for him to do so. ¡°I will cast invisibility on us, even though it isn¡¯t necessary,¡± he said as Gabrielle felt the gelatinous sensation of invisibility cover her from head to toe. ¡°If you paraded in front of a squad of soldiers with a four-piece band they would still tell Queen Clothead, with eyes as innocent as babes, that they haven¡¯t seen the Crown Princess in months.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not something to complain about,¡± Gabrielle said as she padded down the hallway. ¡°Besides, the invisibility allows them to stay truthful.¡±


    ¡°As you wish, Mistress,¡± the cat said, crouching low on Gabrielle¡¯s shoulders.


    Gabrielle grinned at him before she pushed open the unguarded doors to Queen Clotilde¡¯s private quarters.


    The cat jumped from Gabrielle¡¯s shoulders, breaking the invisibility spell. ¡°Prince Mikkael¡¯s sneaks haven¡¯t reported anything of interest besides the besotted squad of soldiers, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Gabrielle said as she snagged the Queen¡¯s newest jewelry purchases and tucked them in a belt pouch. ¡°No wonder the Treasury Department said the daily vault is draining¡ªshe¡¯s spending a fortune on herself.¡±


    ¡°It would be worse if F¨¹rstin Elise did not have the key to the treasury. Such a smart girl,¡± the cat said in a rare bit of praise as he rolled on the queen¡¯s pillows.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Gabrielle asked.


    ¡°The queen is allergic to cats,¡± the cat said.


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°So, I¡¯m being petty. It happens. Carry on! You will hawk the jewels to cover the deficit in the military budget?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Has she left any nasty bits of her magic out?¡± Gabrielle asked.


    ¡°Not quite. She¡¯s grown at least a little smarter and locked them up in this armoire. Although I must say it¡¯s about time. We¡¯ve been destroying her charms and potions since the princes were turned into swans in spring,¡± the cat scoffed.


    Gabrielle joined him, standing in front of the armoire. ¡°So, we can¡¯t foil her?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. I merely said she¡¯s locked them up,¡± the cat said before he set about cleaning his face with a white paw. The armoire clicked, and Gabrielle was able to swing the doors open. ¡°An amateur¡¯s work,¡± the cat scoffed before leaping into the armoire.


    Gabrielle smiled at the feline before she continued searching the room for jewelry and other valuables.


    ¡°She¡¯s getting stronger, you know,¡± the cat said, his voice muffled inside the armoire. ¡°The dark artifacts she keeps on her grow more powerful, feeding off her hate and greed.¡±


    There was a crack of glass and a flash of light inside the armoire.


    The cat cursed.


    ¡°Puss?¡± Gabrielle called.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine; a charm was stronger than I thought it would be.¡±


    ¡°Do you need help?¡± Gabrielle asked.


    ¡°NO. I have told you before these petty things are nothing to a cat as magical and wonderful as I, but I do not want you anywhere near them,¡± the cat said, poking his black and white head out of the armoire to fix Gabrielle with a warning look before he disappeared back inside.


    ¡°Her charms and potions are getting stronger, as well. Not because of any increased skill but because of the dark artifacts. The longer she goes unchallenged, the more dangerous she will be,¡± the cat said.


    ¡°Angelique will help as soon as she can,¡± Gabrielle said, pocketing a gold bracelet.


    ¡°That may not be soon enough.¡±


    ¡°What can we do? The princes are still cursed; King Henrik won¡¯t be waking from the stupor Clotilde has him in, and you and I make a fine pair of resistance fighters, but we cannot take her on ourselves,¡± Gabrielle said. ¡°We don¡¯t even know what the artifacts are.¡±


    The cat leapt from the armoire. ¡°All finished. That should set her back another month.¡±


    ¡°Puss¡­what are we to do?¡± Gabrielle said.


    The handsome cat trotted across the room and jumped on to Gabrielle¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We do our best and wait for your bumpkin-head to return. Have faith, Gabi. I did not make you the Marquise of Carabas and snag you a prince for you to die young and beautiful at the hands of an incompetent hag,¡± the cat said before he rubbed his head against Gabrielle¡¯s and purred.


    The sound soothed Gabrielle, and some of the tension left her. ¡°You are right.¡±

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    ¡°I am always right. Now we had better make our exit.¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± Gabrielle said, popping the stopper off the inkwell she carried before dipping her brush in it.Advertisement


    ¡°Again? And you were surprised that I was being petty?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t help it. It¡¯s the only spot of fun I get. Besides, don¡¯t you see how thick the paint is caked on? It obviously irritates her,¡± Gabrielle smiled as she stood before a huge portrait of Queen Clotilde.


    ¡°Carry on, then. I am all for irritating the hag. But if you spill a drop of ink on my fur, I shall be forced to claw your hide.¡±


    Gabrielle laughed and reached up to make the first brushstroke. ¡°Have faith in my skills, Puss.¡±


    An hour later, Queen Clotilde returned to her room. She glanced at her portrait and shrieked. ¡°NOOOOOO!¡±


    Two guards reluctantly entered her chambers. ¡°What is wrong, Queen?¡±


    Queen Clotilde raised a hand and pointed to her ruined portrait. ¡°That brat!¡± she shouted. ¡°Everyone tells me Princess Gabrielle is gone, but she¡¯s struck again, and she¡¯s ruined my portrait!¡±


    The painting of Queen Clotilde was defaced. The queen¡¯s painted face was once serene and beautiful. Now it sported a mustache, ear hair, and several warts, all drawn on with black writing ink.


    The soldiers maintained blank expressions. ¡°How unfortunate,¡± they parroted.


    ¡°It¡¯s not unfortunate¡ªit¡¯s a crime! I want her head on a platter. Muster the guards and call for the royal painter this instant!¡±


    ¡°Of course, Queen.¡±


    Chapter 11


    Summer passed, and Elise worked steadily. Her hands hurt worse than ever, but she knitted with renewed determination. By the last month of summer, she had four finished shirts, and worked on the fifth with great vigor.


    Life remained the same. Prince Toril visited often. Elise¡¯s brothers did their best to spend their hour as humans to entertain her and relieve her pain. The days were, to be honest, boring and painful but not without little bits of joy.


    Elise¡¯s swan companion was a constant. And when Elise was about halfway through with her fifth shirt, her curiosity grew to unbearable limits.


    Previously, Elise avoided wondering which prince her swan companion was. ¡°They¡¯re not my foster-brothers when they get their feathers and beak. They¡¯re swans. They can¡¯t possibly remember, much less realize, what they¡¯re doing,¡± Elise explained one summer night during her hour of reprieve to Brida when the girls were washing together for a shared supper. ¡°I know you think it is Falk, but I disagree. It could be any of my foster-brothers. Whatever prince it is probably doesn¡¯t realize what he¡¯s doing.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Brida said, unconvinced.


    Elise stood by her words¡­until her conviction lessened.


    Her swan companion acted too human.


    If Elise happened to drop a small item, like her whistle or one of her knitting needles, the swan clamped his beak around it and carried it for her. The swan ate whenever Elise ate rather than grazing all day long like his brothers, and he was watchful. Whenever a patrolling soldier passed, or even if Brida emerged from the woods for lunch, Elise¡¯s companion swan watched.


    What tickled Elise¡¯s curiosity was that whenever Prince Toril visited, the swan pinched, smacked, and burrowed his way into sitting between Elise and the prince.


    Elise tried to nonchalantly watch her companion swan when he hurried back to the lake to transform, but the wily bird always made sure to dart in between a few of his brothers, and Elise lost sight of him every time. Once Elise wove a crown of flowers and linked it around the base of the swan¡¯s neck, but he ripped it off by the time sunset came.


    Her curiosity aroused, Elise was not going to give in easily.


    This called for drastic measures.


    ¡°Sunset is almost upon us. I¡¯m going to stoke the fire,¡± Brida said.


    Elise nodded but kept her eyes glued to her swan companion, who was snacking on grass.


    ¡°¡­Princess?¡±


    Elise gave Brida a thumbs up and pulled her legs to her chest so she could rest her chin on her knees.


    Brida hesitated before she leaned over and whispered, ¡°Are you finally determined enough to confirm his identity?¡±


    Elise nodded.


    Brida smiled. ¡°Good luck, F¨¹rstin,¡± she said before she climbed the slope to the cottage and disappeared inside.


    As the last rays of the sun disappeared over the horizon, Elise¡¯s swan companion stood.


    Elise threw herself to her feet and scrambled after him.


    When the swan reached the water, he tried to paddle away, but Elise braved the cool waters and plunged in after him, grabbing his tail feathers before he could scoot away.


    She chased the swan until she was up to her chest in the water. The swan slipped from her grip then and started to paddle away.

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    Elise sighed, her shoulders drooping. The swan paused and paddled back to her side. It tipped its head back and forth, studying her face. Whatever he was looking for, he must have seen, for he settled in next to Elise as the sun disappeared on the horizon.


    Seeing the transformation up close was a new experience for Elise.Advertisement


    As usual, the water grew choppy, and the swan princes extended their wings into the air before they were surrounded by a white light.


    The white light had a musical quality to it. It sounded like magic, Elise supposed. It was laughter and raindrops on a lake. It had the chime of an ice crystal clinked on a frosty day and the deep toll of a cathedral bell. It was the wind singing on a mountainside, smiles, sunshine, and stardust.


    Elise held her hand out to see if she could catch a bit of the light¡ªit fell from the transforming princes like fire shedding sparks and embers¡ªbut when the light touched her skin, it bounced off and disappeared, fading like a dying flame.


    Disappointed, but still curious, Elise looked up just as the white feathers were shed and the Arcainian princes dropped in the water, fully transformed.


    Brida was right.


    ¡°Falk,¡± Elise said, her voice revealing her disbelief. In the weeks before Brida had all but said it was him, but Elise doubted a man who could spit out nicknames like ¡°Dewdrop¡± as if they were poison could be sensitive enough to follow Elise like a faithful companion. It showed just how little she understood him.


    Falk, looking chagrined, brought his hand out of the cold lake water to push his goldenrod hair out of his face. ¡°So sorry to disappoint.¡±


    ¡°Hah-hah, told you she would be,¡± Nick said as he climbed out of the lake, his twin right behind him.


    ¡°But I¡¯m not, I¡¯m not,¡± Elise said, first to Nick and then to Falk. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­surprised.¡±


    ¡°And why would you be surprised?¡± Falk asked, his eyebrows furrowed as he stared Elise down.


    He was waiting for Elise to say because she didn¡¯t believe he loved her. Elise could read his frustration and hurt in his dark eyes.


    Elise had underestimated him, and in a way she belittled his feelings, just as Brida predicted. She had yet to acknowledge either he or Rune, and she still acted as if she suspected he secretly hated her.


    It was unfair of her. Since Falk became a swan, he was nothing but helpful. Falk acted in her best interest through the entire trial. He was the one who organized the brothers the first night at the new pond. He found food for Elise and Brida, and he went out of his way to find plants and make salves to lessen Elise¡¯s pain.


    And all Elise did in return was eye him and thoughtlessly declare she didn¡¯t believe in his feelings.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Elise said, surprising them both.


    Falk shifted in the water. ¡°For?¡±


    ¡°For being unworthy of your feelings for me.¡±


    ¡°But you are,¡± Falk said, his expression earnest.


    Elise chuckled, which turned into a shiver from the cold water they were still standing in. ¡°Why, Falk?¡± she asked.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Why me?¡±


    ¡°I know I am not Rune,¡± Falk started.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m asking,¡± Elise cut him off. ¡°Why do you love me? What is it about me that would make you tolerate your older brothers¡¯ teasing and intimidate your little brother?¡± Elise asked, drawing closer until she was less than an arm¡¯s length from him.


    Falk was very still, as if he feared he would startle Elise and make her run away. ¡°Because you are fearless.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m what?¡±


    ¡°I mean¡­you arm yourself with whatever is necessary to overcome your enemy, whether it be knitting needles or a horse bridle. And I love the way claw at others for money,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    Falk continued, ¡°When you were first posted to the Treasury Department, you listened to me give an hour-long lecture about grain production in a department meeting. You were the only person who never yawned and who never looked away. You listened with absolute attention and when I was finished, you asked questions.¡±


    Elise was not terribly impressed or moved. Falk must have picked up on her mood because he pulled at his goldenrod colored hair.


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand what I¡¯m trying to say. You have a big heart, and you would never stop loving us. You are more elegant and lovely than every lady in Arcainia. I love your intelligence, and I love you. And¡­ I love that you are warm and affectionate,¡± he finished, a note of longing in his voice.


    ¡°The nicknames?¡± Elise said, her voice cracking.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The ridiculous names you call me: Fawn, Snowflake, Honey Cake,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Yes, what of them?¡± Falk said.


    ¡°What do you mean what of them?¡±


    ¡°I was under the impression those are terms of endearment,¡± Falk said. ¡°Father said they were.¡±


    ¡°They are,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Then I don¡¯t understand your confusion.¡±


    ¡°The way you said them¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± Falk said.


    Elise hesitated, ¡°¡­You really meant them?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Falk said, his sincerity shining in his eyes.

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    Elise bit her lower lip.


    She had been wrong about Falk. She thought he couldn¡¯t possibly love her, not the real her. It had to be the ¡°perfect princess¡± she pretended to be that he loved. But now, even Elise couldn¡¯t pretend Falk didn¡¯t see the real her.Advertisement


    Perhaps what was more thought provoking, was the way Elise had treated Falk in the previous months and years. Yes, he tended to sneer words, but even Rune said Falk accidentally insulted Elise whenever he meant to compliment her. How much had Falk said, and how much had Elise ignored?


    ¡°Elise?¡± Falk reached out to touch a loose coil of hair that had fallen from the ponytail Elise pulled her hair back in. ¡°All I¡¯m asking for is the chance for you to love me.¡±


    Elise licked her lips and almost bit her tongue when her teeth started chattering. ¡°Okay.¡±


    Falk froze. ¡°Okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Elise said, making the water gush when she lunged forward to hug him.


    Falk took a shuddering breath and eased his arms around her. Elise could feel his heart pounding a mile a minute under her cheek as she linked her arms around his neck.


    Falk leaned his head against hers. ¡°Thank you,¡± he whispered.


    On shore, rocks cracked as Nick and Mikk held Rune back. ¡°You¡¯ve gotten your moment with her, Rune-y,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°Several moments,¡± Mikk said.


    ¡°Now be a fair sportsmen, and let Falk have his,¡± Nick said.


    Elise shivered in Falk¡¯s arms and squealed in surprise when Falk hunched over and slipped an arm under her knees. ¡°This water is freezing. We should get to shore,¡± he said, carrying her out of lake.


    Elise clung to Falk¡¯s neck as water cascaded from them. ¡°You could put me down,¡± she said when the water was up to Falk¡¯s shins.


    ¡°Not a chance,¡± Falk said, leaving the water and starting up the path to the cottage. He passed Nick, Mikk, and a glowering Rune.


    Erick waited at the cottage door. ¡°Oh,¡± he said, pushing his eyebrows up. ¡°Is the dark horse taking the lead now?¡± he asked, speaking more to Nick and Mikk than to Falk or Elise.


    ¡°Hard to tell,¡± Nick said.


    Mikk held his thumb and pointer figure an inch apart. ¡°Just a bit.¡±


    Erick laughed heartily, and Falk edged past them to carry Elise into the cottage.


    Brida was waiting with towels, which she wrapped around Elise the instant Falk set her down.


    ¡°What were you thinking, keeping her in the icy water?¡± Steffen scolded Falk before he threw a towel at him, hitting the younger prince in the face.


    ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t particularly want her to marry Rune?¡± Falk asked after removing the towel from his face.


    ¡°I don¡¯t, but I don¡¯t particularly want her to marry you either,¡± Steffen said ¡°Who, then, is she supposed to marry?¡±


    ¡°No one. Elise is too cute to marry a brute. She can stay unmarried for life,¡± Steffen said, patting the top of Elise¡¯s head.


    ¡°Steffen, I¡¯m not a dog,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Fine, but you cannot court anyone until you are at least 40, or married,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°How is that supposed to work?¡± Falk asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not. That¡¯s the beauty of it,¡± Steffen said.


    Rune broke his way inside, sending Mikk and Nick toppling over like wooden dolls. ¡°Are you warm enough, Elise? Should I go find some more firewood?¡±


    Falk glanced outside. ¡°I have enough light to search for some dandelions. I should make a paste for your hands again,¡± he said once he finished drying off.


    ¡°I¡¯ll come with you. We can talk while I gather firewood,¡± Rune said, eyeing his brother.


    ¡°Your suitors are very useful, F¨¹rstin,¡± Brida said as the princes elbowed their way out of the doors.


    ¡°Thank you, I think,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Right, they¡¯re gone. I can finally update the gambling pool. Mikk, you were the one who thought Falk would get through to Elise, yes? Steffen, you owe Mikk a gold coin,¡± Erick said, sliding a scroll of paper out of its hiding spot under a stool.


    ¡°Bother,¡± Steffen tisked.


    Mikk smiled.


    ¡°Gerhart, I¡¯m sorry but you¡¯re completely out of the running,¡± Erick said, using a quill to cross something off on the scroll.


    ¡°Enjoy your life of wretched singlehood,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°I never wanted to be in the running anyway,¡± Gerhart shuddered.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Mikk said. ¡°Onella.¡±


    ¡°Would you stop talking about her?¡± Gerhart shrieked.


    ¡°I forgot about her,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°We have a separate gambling pool that Onella will or will not answer Gerhart¡¯s feelings. Would you care to make a wager?¡± Erick asked.


    ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll put down three gold coins that she laughs and guts him to make a belt for herself when he confesses. Only strong, half-mad people work directly under Falk,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°She would not do such a savage thing,¡± Gerhart said.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you put your money where your mouth is and bet on yourself in that case?¡± Steffen asked.

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    Brida¡¯s forehead wrinkled. ¡°Not being officially adopted might be a lucky break, F¨¹rstin.¡±


    ¡°I agree. Who would want to be related to this pack of jackals?¡± Elise said.Advertisement


    ¡°That is not what I was referring to. If you were adopted, neither Prince Rune nor Prince Falk could marry you,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Gerhart blinked. ¡°You didn¡¯t know that was why Father and Mother didn¡¯t adopt you?¡±


    ¡°Why would I know that!?¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Brida,¡± Nick said, ¡°You just ruined a portion of our fun. We were waiting for Mr. Hero or Gloomy Agriculture boy to point that out.¡±


    Elise tried to take deep calming breaths. ¡°I love them all, that is why I work to free them. I love them all.¡±


    ¡°Why do you sound like you¡¯re trying to convince yourself? Have you already made up your mind on which brother you want? Elise, you are so hot-headed,¡± Nick said.


    ¡°And violent reaction due in three, two, one,¡± Steffen said, studying his nails.


    ¡°QUIET,¡± Elise growled, winding a towel around Nick¡¯s neck and pulling it tight. ¡°All of you stop talking about it!¡± she said before climbing the ladder to the loft.


    ¡°Perhaps there is wisdom to F¨¹rstin¡¯s reason for not wishing to be adopted. It would take great resilience to claim a true relationship to all of you,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°Truth,¡± Mikk grunted.


    ¡°Elsa, Elsa, I brought you a real treat,¡± Prince Toril hollered as he trotted down the hill and made his way to the cottage.


    Elise sat outside with the sixth shirt, which was almost finished. Swan Falk was at her side, and he made a disparaging hiss when Prince Toril strolled up.


    ¡°Hello to you, too, foul-tempered bird,¡± Prince Toril said, plopping down next to Elise. He removed a folded handkerchief from his tunic and peeled back the cloth. ¡°Ta-da,¡± he said, revealing several cookies. ¡°Go on, try one,¡± Prince Toril urged.


    Elise hesitantly took a cookie and bit into it. It was sweet, but there was an odd flavoring Elise never had before. She looked inquisitively at Prince Toril.


    The young man did not disappoint. ¡°It¡¯s a cardamom cookie. Have you had one before? No? Well, you may have them all¡ªalthough I suppose you will insist on sharing with your bear-maid, won¡¯t you?¡± Prince Toril said.


    Elise took the handkerchief and bowed her head at him. She brushed crumbs from her lips before smiling.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Prince Toril said, surprisingly accurate at interpreting Elise¡¯s gestures and behaviors. He glanced at the nettle shirt as Elise set the treat aside to pick up her knitting needles again. ¡°You¡¯re still working on those?¡±


    Elise nodded.


    ¡°How very loyal,¡± Prince Toril said, his voice lacking conviction and feeling.


    Elise raised her eyebrows, but the prince looked away and didn¡¯t acknowledge the hollow sound of his words.


    Prince Toril rubbed his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to say this delicately, so I¡¯m just going to say it. I leave tomorrow for a two-week trip. And no, it¡¯s not hunting.¡±


    Elise thoughtfully nodded and stared at Prince Toril until his ears turned red.


    ¡°It¡¯s fishing, but now is the right season, and I want to go! If you¡¯re afraid Father will do something to you while I¡¯m gone, you could come with me. I mean, it would be highly improper, but gossip doesn¡¯t seem to bother you anyway,¡± Prince Toril said.


    Elise set her knitting aside. Prince Toril¡¯s absence was a grave thing. She couldn¡¯t go with him¡ªit wouldn¡¯t be practical to try and lug seven swans and all her knitting across Verglas¡ªbut the idea of staying in the cottage left her uneasy.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I want to go,¡± Prince Toril said, his voice colored with guilt.


    Elise studied Prince Toril. She didn¡¯t despise him for his selfishness. It merely showed how immature he was. He did his best by her, and Elise suspected it was very difficult to be raised by King Torgen.


    Elise patted Prince Toril¡¯s knee in sympathy.


    Prince Toril looked at her with wide eyes. ¡°Ouch,¡± he said when Falk nipped him.


    Elise placed a hand on Falk¡¯s soft, feathery back before she resumed knitting.


    ¡°Is there a reason why you love these wretched birds so much?¡± Prince Toril complained. ¡°Because I have to say they¡¯re a downright nuisance.¡±


    Elise looked up from her knitting, and the prince hurried to retract his statement. ¡°I mean, they seem like marvelous pets for you. They match your grace and, um, beauty. Ouch! Would you stop that?¡± Prince Toril said when Falk bit him again.


    Elise soundlessly laughed, which made Prince Toril pull a lopsided grin. ¡°OW!¡± he said when Falk got him again. ¡°Blasted bird!¡±


    Falk fluffed his feathers and looked beautiful.


    ¡°Are you sure they¡¯re really swans? They seem too bloodthirsty¡ªagh!¡± Prince Toril said when Falk flapped his white wings and smacked the Verglas Prince in the face.


    ¡°That¡¯s it. I¡¯m not bringing you any corn today,¡± Prince Toril declared, holding his nose as Falk settled down behind Elise.

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    Grinning, Elise held out the handkerchief of cookies.


    ¡°A sweet to pacify my pain?¡± Prince Toril said, sounding especially wretched. ¡°Why not?¡± he grinned before he took one and bit into it. ¡°So, do you enjoy the lake view?¡±Advertisement


    While Prince Toril was gone, Elise kept to the woods during the day. She stayed out of sight and never strayed far from Brida. They returned to the cottage only after dark. It was easy enough to keep knitting¡ªshe finished the sixth shirt and moved onto to the seventh¡ªbut it made Elise uneasy to leave her brothers behind on the lake.


    ¡°They¡¯ll be fine, F¨¹rstin. They can fly off at the first sign of danger,¡± Brida said.


    Elise supposed this was true, but she was still apprehensive.


    The days trickled by, and hints of fall started to color the world. The few trees in Verglas that were not pine trees or evergreens started to drop their leaves; the air was cooler, and the ground was frosted over every morning like a fresh cake.


    Elise worked harder than ever on the shirt, the last shirt. She worked on it night and day, crouching by the fire in the cottage, and sometimes knitting only by the touch.


    The two weeks were almost up when one afternoon Elise heard the distinctive thrum of swan wings beating the air.


    Elise poked her head up like a surfacing groundhog.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯re fine, F¨¹rstin,¡± Brida said. She was crouched over her sword, cleaning the blade.


    When the flapping continued, Elise lumbered to her feet¡ªclutching the last shirt. She set off through the woods, heading for the lake.


    ¡°F¨¹rstin,¡± Brida called before chasing after her.


    When they drew close to the edge of the woods, Brida yanked Elise back and dragged her behind a pine tree. They pushed back fragrant needles to spy on six guards.


    The guards were herding the seven swan princes of Arcainia out of the water and up the hill¡ªheading for the castle.


    The swans beat their wings and hissed, lunging at the soldiers. To their credit, the soldiers handled the princes as gently as they could, prodding them along with the wooden poles of their spears.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t they fly away?¡± Brida breathed.


    Elise¡¯s heart twisted in her chest. The swan princes did not fly because even while cursed, they were noble enough to think they couldn¡¯t leave her behind.


    Elise pulled her arm out of Brida¡¯s grasp and moved to plunge through the trees.


    ¡°Princess Elise,¡± Brida said, grabbing Elise by the wrist. ¡°You cannot go.¡±


    Elise held the seventh nettle shirt out to Brida.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t about the shirts, this is about your safety. Your brothers gave me explicit orders to see to your protection above all else. I cannot let you go down there.¡±


    You must, Elise gestured.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know what King Torgen will do. He might not be satisfied with ruining your work. It might be you he destroys next,¡± Brida said.


    Elise shrugged.


    ¡°Why do you do this?¡± Brida said, her voice breaking.


    Because I love them.


    Elise pulled her wrist from Brida¡¯s limp grasp and marched down the hill. When she reached the cottage she put her whistle to her lips and blew it.


    The six soldiers turned around at the noise. (One of them winced when a swan prince pecked him on the thigh.) ¡°Elsa, King Torgen asks that you would see him,¡± one of the soldiers said. ¡°He instructed us to bring your knitting and your birds, but if you come willingly with us, we will leave the swans behind.¡±


    Behind her, Elise heard the noise of Brida unsheathing her sword from her hiding spot in the trees. Elise shook her head at Brida and walked down the path to the soldiers.


    Two of the soldiers started shooing the swans back to the water, but five of the swans wouldn¡¯t budge. Instead, they hurried forward, hissing and beating their wings. The soldiers blocked their way with their spears, holding the birds back.


    One of the soldiers had already retrieved the sack Elise kept the finished shirts in, as well as the sack that held the nettles she collected the previous week. He bowed to her as she passed him.


    As Elise headed over the crest of the hill, she could hear the swans clicking and grunting, calling to her. Elise squared her shoulders and walked on, not daring to look back at her struggling brothers.


    Elise kept herself schooled and her features set as the guards guided her through the palace grounds. Her gnarled hands grew clammy, and she could feel her heart beating faster in her chest, but no one would have guessed this by the noble expression she fixed on her face.


    All too quickly Elise stood in front of King Torgen.


    ¡°I was wondering where you¡¯ve been hiding. No one has had so much of a glance at you since my son left,¡± King Torgen said over a banquet table that was laden with food. He bit into a drumstick and studied Elise¡¯s escort. ¡°Where are the birds?¡±


    ¡°They flew off, My King,¡± the soldier holding Elise¡¯s bags of knitting supplies said.

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    King Torgen narrowed his beady eyes at the soldier and slurped his wine.


    The soldier kept his expression plain; his manner did not betray his lie.Advertisement


    He probably had practice.


    King Torgen shrugged and returned his attention to Elise. ¡°Although my soldiers might be incompetent bird catchers, at least they managed to find you. Sit. We must chat.¡±


    One of the soldiers pulled out a chair from the banquet table, placing it close enough that King Torgen could speak to Elise in a plain voice but far enough that Elise could not reach the table.


    Elise wondered if the soldier did this on purpose to keep her out of strangling reach as she sat down and the guard set her knitting materials on the ground next to her.


    ¡°At ease,¡± King Torgen said to the guards. ¡°Return to your posts.¡±


    The guards moved to the corners of the room, standing at attention.


    King Torgen watched them go before he turned his rotten eyes on Elise. ¡°You are disturbing my son.¡±


    Elise folded her hands on her lap.


    ¡°He used to be an empty-headed fool, wandering about like an idiot and blithely doing whatever he wished. Now he talks of loyalty and love, and despairs that none of our subjects love us with passion and perseverance. He was useful as a fool. But now he thinks about people¡¯s feelings. I cannot believe it took him so many months to gather enough selfishness to go fishing. He hardly is at home in the late summer. Because of you, he¡¯s been kicking up his heels, talking to people, giving servants the day off,¡± King Torgen tossed his chicken leg aside in disgust. ¡°I intended to let him be an idiot until I no longer felt like ruling, and then I would break him to make him a suitable king to rule a place as forsaken and wretched as Verglas. But I cannot let him head down the path of nobility. What use are loyalty, respect, and honor? None! So I must cleanse him of these stupid notions you have given him.¡±


    King Torgen looked to Elise, as if he expected a reply.


    It took every ounce of Elise¡¯s courage to stare King Torgen down. She was sweaty and her heart thundered as loud as ever, but Mikk would have been proud of the emotionless expression Elise gave the twisted ruler.


    King Torgen picked up the chicken leg again. ¡°I shall have you executed,¡± he said in the same conversational tone a person would discuss the weather in.


    Elise¡¯s chin quivered for a moment before she snapped down on the reaction and tilted her head back.


    ¡°Yes, I must,¡± King Torgen said, as if imagining her contrary claims. ¡°This new sickness of his is most certainly acquired from you. I suppose I could exile you, but I¡¯ve always loved a good killing.¡±


    Elise clenched her hands together, making them tingle with pain as she stared at the monster hiding in a man¡¯s skin.


    ¡°I cannot have you hanged of course, and I cannot give you a trial. Everyone knows you¡¯re harmless and quite wretched. But there is one thing I can accuse you of that will remove all those pesky barriers,¡± he said. ¡°This is your own fault. Someone should have taught you as a child that good doesn¡¯t always triumph. In fact, it rarely does. Loyalty and love are for the fools in this world,¡± King Torgen said, leaning back in his chair.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sorry you¡¯re going to die. I quite look forward to it, actually. It¡¯s so fun to crush the weak and the innocent,¡± King Torgen said. ¡°Now, pick up your sack and show me what is inside.¡±


    Numbly, Elise did what she was told.


    ¡°Ah-hah! I thought so. Guards, arrest this girl! She is a witch, and must be put to death,¡± King Torgen said, leaping to his feet.


    The guards approached Elise.


    ¡°What proof is there, My Kin¡ª,¡± one guard asked.


    ¡°You want proof? Look in her bags and see the foul, dark magic she knits,¡± King Torgen said.


    ¡°It is cowls made of nettles,¡± a soldier said.


    Shirts, Elise internally corrected him, her mind blank as she listened.


    ¡°Only one devoted to dark arts would use such a loathsome plant. Who knows what foul end she would use them for? Besides, I can smell black magic miles away, and it is plain to me that she not only possesses it, but she loves it. Arrest her! Shackle her and throw her into the dungeons.¡±


    One guard collected up Elise¡¯s knitting materials; another clasped heavy iron shackles around her wrists.


    Elise caught a glimpse of King Torgen¡¯s smirk. He won. No, it wasn¡¯t even a matter of winning. Elise never stood a chance.


    Elise opened her mouth to shout out her innocence, but she caught sight of the sack of shirts. She was so close. She couldn¡¯t speak now. It would ruin all her work. Elise knew in her heart that Arcainia couldn¡¯t wait the months it would take Elise to knit seven shirts again. Arcainia need the princes now.


    Elise shut her mouth and let herself be led away. When the guards led her out of the dining room and shut the door behind them, peals of laughter escaped from the chamber.

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    King Torgen was an evil, twisted man.


    Elise was led down stairs, into the bowels of the wooden castle. Elise never thought such a pleasant-looking place could have such a foul corner in it, but it did.Advertisement


    The dungeons were made of black stone. Even light from the torches was swallowed up and muted by the oppressive atmosphere.


    It was silent, like the stillness of a body after the skeleton fingers of death strangled the last gasps of life from it.


    The guards led Elise to wooden door set in the black stone and opened it. It was an empty cell. There was nothing in it¡ªnot even a pile of dirty straw or a bucket. Once inside the cell, Elise could see that the wooden door had deep gouges, as if someone clawed at it, and was spattered with blood.


    There was one window in the room, but it was at least a foot above Elise¡¯s head, so she could not see out it.


    Elise shivered as the guards removed the shackles and set her nettles and shirts down on the ground.


    ¡°May whatever has guarded you thus long be with you, my lady,¡± the last guard said before he closed the door.


    Elise shivered in the cool air and looked at her knitting. There was still a chance she could complete the last shirt. She would have to take the biggest gamble of her life and hope she could finish it before King Torgen finished her.


    Elise squared her shoulders and settled down to work, unearthing her knitting needles and the last of her nettles. She wouldn¡¯t fail Arcainia, and she wouldn¡¯t let her brothers suffer anymore.


    Chapter 12


    Elise worked as long she had light, and even after the last bit of sun left the open window, Elise knitted, blindly feeling the rows of loops and knots. For once she was grateful she was knitting nettles. They rewarded her with a sharp, stabbing sensation that bit into Elise¡¯s fingers when she looped them correctly.


    Elise was so intent on her work that she almost missed the footsteps outside her window. She jumped when something slammed against the bars of the window.


    ¡°Elise?¡±


    Elise stood and ran to the window. ¡°Rune?¡± the cell wasn¡¯t wide enough for Elise to back up and see outside the window, but she would recognize that voice anywhere.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Rune asked.


    ¡°Never mind me¡ªwhat are you doing here? If the guards catch you, they¡¯ll drag you before King Torgen,¡± Elise hissed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been climbing around the castle since I turned human. Security is tighter than I thought. I tried breaking into the dungeons, but there are too many guards,¡± Rune grunted as a scraping noise echoed in the cell.


    ¡°You can¡¯t rip the bars out, Rune. They¡¯re set in stone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to try. I can¡¯t leave you here.¡± Rune said before he toppled from the window. His shadow covered the window again shortly after as he boosted himself back up into the window.


    ¡°Rune, it¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not,¡± Rune said, sawing at the bars with a knife. ¡°Brida spent the whole afternoon trying to pinpoint your location, but she couldn¡¯t slip past security.¡±


    ¡°And you could?¡±


    Rune chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m not the heroic brother just because of my good looks,¡± he said. ¡°Hold on. I¡¯ll be back; I just need to find a pick-axe of some sort.¡±


    ¡°Wait. How many minutes until you turn back into a swan?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Not many, right?¡±


    ¡°I wasted too much time trying to get into the dungeon entrance. Don¡¯t worry, I will get you out.¡±


    ¡°No, you won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t know that,¡± Rune argued.


    ¡°Rune,¡± Elise said, cutting him off. She swallowed in the silence and shut her eyes as she leaned against the wall. She heard a scraping noise, and looked up to see Rune stretch his arm down through the bars.


    Elise reached up and clasped his hand, squeezing it tightly. ¡°I¡¯m afraid,¡± she admitted.


    ¡°Swan or not, I won¡¯t let you die, Elise,¡± Rune promised.


    Elise nodded. ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered.


    Elise held Rune¡¯s hand even after all the blood drained from her arm. She clung to him like he was her lifeline.


    All too soon, Rune said, ¡°I have to go.¡±


    Elise loosened her grasp on his hand.


    Rune, however, didn¡¯t let go. ¡°We won¡¯t leave you, Elise. I won¡¯t leave you.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Elise said.


    Rune squeezed her hand again before he slipped from the window, disappearing into the night.


    Elise brushed tears from her eyes, and she turned back to the last shirt. While Rune spoke to her, the moon had risen high in the sky, shedding just enough light for Elise to knit by.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way I could sleep, so I may as well work,¡± Elise said, sitting down on the floor. ¡°King Torgen is wrong. Goodness wins, and love always triumphs.¡±


    Dawn came. The red rays of rising sun leaked into the cell, giving Elise light to see by. Her knitting was no longer neat rows, but downright sloppy. The loops weren¡¯t even, and some holes were too big, but Elise didn¡¯t have time to worry.


    Not long after the sun rose, the door to her cell swung open.

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    ¡°Elsa, it¡¯s time,¡± a guard said.


    Elise stopped knitting long enough to place a hand on her rebellious stomach when it heaved. She swept up the capes and grabbed the last fistful of nettles she had left before the guards could say otherwise.Advertisement


    The guards didn¡¯t shackle her this time, and one kindly took her six finished shirts from her, letting her knit and carry the seventh cape.


    ¡°Whatever reason you do this for, I think it is time you admit the loss,¡± a guard softly said.


    Elise ignored him. She was so close. She would free her brothers and leave Verglas, or she was going to die by King Torgen¡¯s hand.


    The guards led Elise outside and into a cart. Elise sucked in the fresh air, grating for the change after spending the night in the dank dungeon.


    As the cart rolled along, Elise buried herself in her knitting. If she acknowledged the guards¡¯ pity or her own fear, she would crumble.


    When the cart stopped, Elise glanced up and paled. All warmth fled her body as she stared at the tool of her destruction, a massive pile of wood gathered around a pole.


    She was going to be burned at the stake.


    Elise tried to swallow, but her mouth was too dry, so she yanked her head down and kept knitting as the soldiers helped her down from the cart.


    ¡°Good; you¡¯ve brought her tools of witchery. Throw them in the fire with her,¡± King Torgen said, rubbing his hands as he gleefully inspected the kindling and wood.


    Citizens of Ostfold left their homes, gathering in the city square where Elise¡¯s burning was to take place.


    Elise was tied to the stake by a guard who wrapped rope around her waist, leaving her arms and legs free. Elise inspected the seventh shirt. The front and back of the shirt weren¡¯t stitched together all the way, but it would have to do. She was out of nettles and time. As Elise tied it off, she studied the crowd. Somewhere¡­ she would be somewhere¡­there!


    Brida was near the front of the crowd, a dark expression pasted on her face, and a sword strapped to her belt.


    She was going to attempt a rescue. It was a valiant idea, but they stood a better chance if Elise¡¯s foster brothers weren¡¯t birds, and if she could talk. Elise tried to get Brida¡¯s attention, but the captain was busy watching the guards.


    A tremendous splash from the city fountain drew Elise¡¯s attention. Floundering in the fountain was a large white bird. A swan!


    When it looked at her, Elise desperately held up seven fingers and waved them in the air, but bodies moved in and the crowd stood in between them, blocking sight of the swan.


    Elise hoped the swan was Falk¡ªotherwise everything was going to be in vain.


    King Torgen adjusted his crown and turned to the crowd. ¡°Citizens, you are gathered here today to witness justice at its finest. It was discovered that this girl, whom many would think to be innocent or perhaps a little mad, practices dark arts.¡±


    Elise¡¯s lip curled in disgust as she cast her knitting needles aside and shook out the seventh cape.


    A guard moved to put Elise¡¯s six shirts on the wood at her feet, but when Elise stretched out her hand, he draped them over her arm.


    ¡°She has on her person burial shrouds knitted with foul intensions and made with the stems of the Stinging Nettle. We have no doubts of her crimes,¡± King Torgen said.


    Most of the Ostfold citizens hung back in the city square, but several of the more blood-thirsty variety crowded to the front.


    ¡°Burn the witch! Burn her!¡±


    ¡°Let the fire crack ¡®er bones!¡±


    What a terrible place. No wonder the assassins guild is legal, Elise thought as she strained her neck and looked in the sky for seven white swans. Where were they?


    ¡°As you know, the penalty for practicing black magic is to be burned at the stake in accordance with the law, the burning is being held in a public place for all to see. Are there any objections?¡±


    ¡°Burn her! Burn her!¡±


    ¡°Death to dark magics!¡±


    ¡°No witches allowed in Verglas!¡±


    Only a few citizens shouted insults, but the rest of the crowds knew what speaking out would mean. So they watched Elise with sad eyes that expressed their sympathy and terror.


    Elise wanted to hate them for refusing to question their king. But when she glanced at him, his revolting smile made her shiver, and Elise supposed it was too much to ask for a people who were ruled by him.


    ¡°Then let the burning commence,¡± King Torgen said, gesturing to a soldier who held a torch.


    Elise listened for the flapping of wings. Instead, she heard a very familiar shout¡ªthe one Brida uttered during her sword exercises.


    Brida lunged at the soldier, her silver sword flashing in the morning light. The soldier dropped the torch when he dodged the blow. Other guards moved in, engaging Brida in combat.


    ¡°It¡¯s the witch¡¯s minion. Restrain her!¡± King Torgen said.

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    Brida kicked a guard in the kneecap while blocking a blow from another. She elbowed one man in the throat and swept a leg back to smash a soldier in the face. It was little more than a brawl, but Brida was winning.


    The crowd murmured, watching Brida fight tooth and nail. In all likelihood, no one had attempted to rescue one of King Torgen¡¯s victims before.Advertisement


    ¡°I said restrain her,¡± King Torgen repeated, growing testy.


    More soldiers left their post to help their comrades in the scuffle.


    Elise gaped at Brida as the determined female fought her way to her. The captain used every piece of her body to fight back. She head-butted one soldier, bit the fingers of another, and kneed a man in the stomach.


    Eventually the soldiers gave up subduing her and used sheer numbers to drag her down. Before Brida hit the ground, she drew a dagger from her belt and threw it to Elise. A soldier tackled her when she made the throw, so her aim faltered, and the dagger hit a log near Elise.


    Elise reached for it, but it was too far away. She tried reaching out with a bare foot, straining to grasp it with her toes. It was still too far away.


    ¡°You, get a torch and set fire to the witch,¡± King Torgen said, grabbing a soldier who was helping one of the men Brida lashed out at.


    ¡°But¡ª,¡±


    ¡°You question me?¡±


    ¡°No, Sire,¡± the soldier said, grabbing another torch.


    Unlike the other torch-bearer, this soldier hurried. He thrust the torch into the kindling and tinder, which caught fire immediately. The lower logs were smeared with animal fat and lamp oil, so the kindling flared into a fire faster than usual.


    Elise started to sweat as she strained against the ropes, still reaching for the dagger. The straw used as the tinder produced a lot of smoke, and it burned Elise¡¯s eyes and throat. Her eyes teared up as she struggled through the haze to grab the dagger. The heat of the fire started to warm her feet when the first swan burst through the smoke.


    Steffen.


    Elise stared, but when the swan flew past her Elise gave up on the dagger and threw a shirt at the bird. It hit him, but Elise didn¡¯t see what happened after as he disappeared through the smoke.


    Elise could hear the crowd gasp and shout, but she was watching for the next swan, huddling as close to her stake as she could while the fire crept up the logs.


    Two swans appeared next, flapping their wings and bringing a breath of clean air with them.


    Nick, Mikk.


    Elise threw the shirts, and the swans disappeared.


    Elise covered her mouth with an arm, tears streaming down her face from the smoke. Her eyesight was so blurred she almost missed the next two swans. They swooped in from opposite directions, and one passed close enough to brush her extended hand with the tips of his wings.


    Erick, Rune.


    It was a stretch to hit both swans, Elise almost missed one but the swan dove into the shirt before disappearing in the smoke.


    Seconds after they passed through, the smallest swan flapped past. Elise tried throwing the shirt, but her strength was leaving her as the heat licked at her skin and the smoke robbed her lungs.


    The swan veered after the shirt. Elise couldn¡¯t be sure what happened after that.


    Gerhart.


    Elise couldn¡¯t stop coughing, and the smoke blinded her. She reached out, her arm extended and shaking, the shirt dangling from her finger tips.


    Falk, where was Falk?


    Elise tried to keep the panic down as her arm trembled. The heat was unbearably painful.


    Something tugged the shirt out of her fingers, and Elise let go before she sagged against the stake, the ropes wrapped around her waist holding her upright. The air was hot. It hurt to breathe in, and the smoke rattled in her chest and burned her throat.


    She hoped it worked. She hoped she broke the curse, but she couldn¡¯t see, and she couldn¡¯t hear anything over the roar of the hungry fire.


    The flames hadn¡¯t yet reached her, but the heat was agonizing. It was a thousand times worse than knitting. Elise thought she would be boiled alive, but suddenly she wasn¡¯t alone.


    Rune, dressed in white, cut through the ropes holding her to the stake. His hair was tousled and his face was streaked with dirt, but in Elise¡¯s eyes he was the most glorious thing she had seen in a long time.


    Rune was human in daylight.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± Rune said, tossing the bindings aside before he scooped Elise up and leapt from the pyre.


    Elise coughed as she breathed in clear air. She clung to Rune as someone poured buckets of water on them, soothing Elise¡¯s pink, burned skin.


    Rune held her upright as she sagged, unable to regain her breath as she hacked and coughed.


    ¡°Elise, breathe shallowly,¡± Erick instructed, placing his cool hands on her forehead.


    When Elise was able to draw air without shaking, someone hugged her.


    ¡°Elise, you did it,¡± Nick grinned.


    Surrounding Elise in a ring of white were the Princes of Arcainia. Steffen, Nick, Mikk, Erick, Rune, Gerhart¡­ and Falk.


    Tears streamed from Elise¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡¯re free.¡±


    ¡°Thanks to you,¡± Steffen said.

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    Elise started crying in earnest when her foster brothers pressed in around her, hugging her, wiping soot off her face, and thanking her.


    ¡°Guards, seize them all! Clearly the girl has freed these evil demons with her work,¡± King Torgen shouted.Advertisement


    ¡°Father?¡±


    King Torgen swiveled, his face growing stormy when a small party of men rode into the city, Prince Toril in the lead. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± he asked.


    ¡°That woodland witch you brought back from the forest has unleashed a curse,¡± King Torgen said.


    Prince Toril dismounted his horse. ¡°Elsa isn¡¯t a witch,¡± he said as he made his way through the crowd, heading for Elise.


    When he neared the ring of Arcainian princes, Rune appeared behind him and held a dagger to the prince¡¯s throat. ¡°Take another step closer to her, and you will breathe your last,¡± he warned.


    ¡°Rune,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Be still, Buttercup,¡± Falk said, taking Elise¡¯s hand to hold her still.


    ¡°See?¡± King Torgen said. ¡°Witchery!¡±


    ¡°Silence,¡± Steffen said. Unlike King Torgen, who spoke with anger that welled up from his belly, Steffen¡¯s voice came from his chest. He sounded regal and commanding, and his eyes were sharp as he stared at King Torgen like the evil man was nothing more than a tadpole.


    The Ostfold city square was quiet, except for the crackling of the raging fire.


    ¡°What¡ª,¡± Prince Toril started, even though Rune still held a weapon to his throat.


    ¡°I am Crown Prince Steffen of Arcainia. You have almost succeeding in killing my beloved baby sister, F¨¹rstin Elise. I am close, very close to the edge of my temper. One wrong word to me or my siblings, and I will bring your country to its knees,¡± Steffen said. Although his voice was hushed the words carried clearly over the crowd.


    When no one moved, soldier, citizen, or otherwise, Steffen nodded at Rune, who removed the dagger from Prince Toril¡¯s throat and pushed the young man away from them.


    ¡°How do I know you are who you claim to be?¡± King Torgen said, the feverish light shining fiercely in his eyes.


    Steffen smiled. It wasn¡¯t his charming portrait smile. It was a smile that made Elise afraid. ¡°Would you like us to repeat, line by line, every good Arcainia provides Verglas and every debt you owe us?¡±


    King Torgen said nothing.


    Erick cleared his throat and spoke next. ¡°We require a change of clothes for our sister, horses, food, and weapons for transport.¡±


    ¡°Done,¡± King Torgen said, looking at several soldiers, who departed to gather the goods.


    Prince Toril looked back and forth between the Arcainian Princes and his Father. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Aren¡¯t you going to stop them?¡±


    ¡°Quiet, Toril,¡± King Torgen said.


    ¡°No, why are you so frightened? Yes, it looks like you were doing something bad, but they¡¯re just from Arcainia. Arcainia is a small, feckless country. We have nothing to fear from Arcainia,¡± Prince Toril said.


    ¡°Quiet,¡± King Torgen said, clenching his meaty hands into tight fists.


    ¡°So, you don¡¯t know?¡± Nick said, folding his arms across his chest.


    ¡°Know what?¡± Prince Toril said.


    ¡°Arcainia practically owns Verglas,¡± Gerhart says. ¡°We bought up all your national debt. If we call it in, you are sunk.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no surprise he doesn¡¯t know. We tried to downplay our power. It¡¯s the only way we could keep Loire clueless,¡± Erick said as he studied Elise. ¡°Feeling better?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Brida,¡± Elise said, her mouth thick with the taste of smoke.


    ¡°Right. The valiant soldier. Nick, Mikk,¡± Erick said.


    The twins stepped forward and yanked Brida from the clutches of Verglas guards, who surrounded her.


    The captain joined Elise and her foster brothers.


    ¡°Water, F¨¹rstin?¡± Brida said, offering Elise a flask.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Elise said, taking it and drinking. The water was stale and lukewarm, but it felt wonderful on Elise¡¯s raw throat.


    ¡°I will take Brida and retrieve the horses and whatever supplies we can salvage from the cottage,¡± Nick said, glancing at the captain.


    Brida nodded.


    ¡°Be careful,¡± Erick warned.


    Nick and Brida disappeared into the crowd.


    ¡°Elsa, I don¡¯t understand. What¡¯s going on?¡± Prince Toril asked as he made his way back to Elise and her foster brothers. When he drew too close, Rune again reached out and pressed the point of his dagger to Prince Toril¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Rune, it¡¯s fine,¡± Elise said, her voice scratchy from the smoke. ¡°Prince Toril, I must apologize. My name is not Elsa, it is Elise. Brida, my guard, lied to keep me safe.¡±


    ¡°It was for your brothers, wasn¡¯t it? They were why you knitted,¡± Prince Toril said. His boyish, bright features were downcast.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Elise said, glancing at Falk when he squeezed her hand.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you stay with me?¡± Prince Toril asked, yanking Elise¡¯s gaze back to him.


    Elise¡¯s jaw almost dropped as she stared at the sincere prince. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I have grown to love you,¡± Prince Toril said.

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    Rune snarled, and Mikk dove to hold him back. ¡°You can¡¯t,¡± he told his younger brother.


    ¡°Yes, I can,¡± Rune said, his voice rumbling like a wolf¡¯s growl. ¡°One jab, and he¡¯ll never speak again.¡±Advertisement


    ¡°Too messy. We¡¯re trying to leave, not get ourselves thrown in a cell,¡± Erick said, his voice lowered.


    Falk placed a hand on Elise¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Elise almost died by his father¡¯s hands; I would say it¡¯s already messy.¡±


    ¡°Prince Toril, you cannot love me. You do not know the first thing about me,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°But I do,¡± Prince Toril said. ¡°I have watched and talked with you while you have lived here in Verglas. I have paid attention to your actions.¡±


    ¡°But you have not heard me speak a word of my mind. You know nothing about my feelings or the state of my heart. The fact that you would ask me to stay here when your father almost killed me is proof enough. You do not love me, Prince Toril. Not really.¡±


    Prince Toril¡¯s eyes were glassy with pain. ¡°I want to try to,¡± he said. ¡°You are a good woman, Elise. You must be to sacrifice for your brothers as you have.¡±


    Ah. That was it. ¡°What you are searching for, Prince Toril, is for a girl to love you as deeply as I have proven to love my foster brothers,¡± Elise said, benevolently smiling.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Prince Toril said, his voice hushed.


    Rune¡¯s handsome face twisted. ¡°For the love of¡ªcan I kill him now?¡±


    Steffen studied the Verglas prince, as if considering the request.


    ¡°I¡¯m not the only woman in this world who is capable of such love,¡± Elise said. ¡°And before you can hope to woo such a woman, you must be able to give the same kind of love.¡±


    ¡°But didn¡¯t I help you?¡±


    Falk¡¯s face grew stormy, and Elise worried that Rune might actually stab the foolish prince, so she spoke quickly. ¡°You did help us. I thank you for the shelter you provided for me and my guard and my brothers. However, friendship is all I can offer you.¡±


    ¡°Finally,¡± Gerhart muttered when Verglas guards leading horses and a pack pony entered the city square. Nick and Brida were right behind them.


    ¡°Elise should ride my horse with me,¡± Falk said, taking his horse¡¯s reins from Nick. ¡°He¡¯s large enough to carry two of us, and I doubt she can ride alone.¡±


    ¡°You mean to leave now?¡± Prince Toril said.


    None of the Arcainian princes bothered to answer him as they set about divvying out mounts.


    ¡°Up you go,¡± Rune said to Elise before he boosted her onto Falk¡¯s horse. Falk mounted up behind her a moment later, his arms sliding around Elise as he gathered up the reins.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you rather eat or change before you leave?¡± Prince Toril asked, reaching for the skirts of Elise¡¯s damp dress. Falk wheeled his horse around before the prince was able to touch her.


    ¡°We will be fine. Thank you, Prince Toril. Take care,¡± Elise said.


    Truth be told, she longed to eat and soak in water before riding out, but Elise wasn¡¯t stupid. She knew the longer they stayed in King Torgen¡¯s presence, the more danger and risk they put themselves under. Soon the King would decide that national debt or not, he could just as easily kill them all as he could send them off.


    This was why Elise bore the swift pace her foster brothers picked as they left Ostfold, leaving the charming city behind. Her muscles ached; her eyes still stung, and her throat was sore, but Elise couldn¡¯t stop smiling as she looked at her foster brothers.


    The eight royal siblings, and Brida, made their way through Verglas. They camped only when the sun fell, and they rose before the sun so they could be on their way when the first rays crossed the horizon.


    They were almost to the Loire border when Rune¡ªwho was in the lead¡ªand his horse barely missed being bowled over by a comet.


    Once her eyes adjusted to the light, Elise realized it wasn¡¯t a comet, but Angelique on her night-sky mount.


    ¡°Lady Enchantress,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°Greetings, princes and princess of Arcainia,¡± Angelique said, pulling her mount in a circle. ¡°Allow me to extend my happiest of congratulations in breaking the curse,¡± she said, sliding from her mount. ¡°It was fortuitous timing, might I add. I was almost to Loire when I felt your curse shatter; it made finding you an easy task. Elise, your dedication and sacrifice are to be commended.¡±


    ¡°Have you been cleared before the Veneno Conclave?¡± Erick asked.


    ¡°Sadly, no. But I do not think it will matter. I spoke to a close friend of mine, a fairy godmother from Erlauf,¡± Angelique said, clasping her hands together. ¡°We concluded that outside aid would be unnecessary.¡±


    ¡°You can defeat Clotilde on your own?¡± Gerhart said.

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    ¡°No. Not even close. However, there is one closer to you who can do such a thing,¡± Angelique said before turning in Elise¡¯s direction. ¡°Elise can¡ªgood heavens! What happened to you, princess?¡± Angelique said, daintily covering her mouth.


    Elise was too tired to care, or she would have blushed. As it was fall, all the ponds and rivers they rode past were too frigid to bathe in, so Elise still wore her grey dress¡ªwhich was now more of an ash black color¡ªand smelled like and resembled a chimney sweep.Advertisement


    ¡°I was almost burned at the stake. You were saying?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°No, no. This is unacceptable. We must get you properly cleaned up and fed. I would have thought your brothers would see to that,¡± Angelique said, wagging a finger of displeasure at Elise¡¯s brothers.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t their fault,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°It is,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°We were, perhaps, overzealous in our desire to leave Verglas,¡± Mikk said.


    ¡°You noticed that just now?¡± Angelique said. ¡°However, you are in good luck. It just so happens that a companion of mine has set up camp nearby. We make seek refuge in his house and draw up plans for your stepmother,¡± she said before climbing up the leg of her odd mount. ¡°This way, if you would.¡±


    Elise¡ªmounted on her own horse¡ªfollowed her brothers and the enchantress. Brida rode at her side, keeping her from lagging behind.


    Several times Angelique sent glittering balls of light to scout ahead. When they came back a third time, the enchantress led them straight to a makeshift camp that reminded Elise of her temporary shelter by the pond.


    There was a sorry-looking tent that was stretched to its limits and looked as if it would collapse at any moment. The fire was out. There was no firewood in sight, and tethered next to the tent was an ornery donkey.


    Angelique opened the tent, which was just as ratty inside as it was outside. ¡°He¡¯s not home, but he will not mind if we use his hot water and salon,¡± Angelique said, letting the cloth covering fall back in place before she traced a symbol in the air.


    ¡°I beg your pardon, Lady Enchantress, but what salon do you refer to?¡± Gerhart asked.


    Erick shook his head. ¡°Just wait,¡± he instructed.


    Elise, just as confused as Gerhart, was surprised when Angelique pulled back the tent flap a second time. This time the tent opened into a large parlor roughly the size of Elise¡¯s room back in Castle Brandis. It was well lit and warmed by a roaring fire in a marble fireplace. There was a pile of cushions, two padded, strange-looking sofas, and a small, short table covered by a silver tea set.


    ¡°Please, enter,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°Thank you, Lady Enchantress,¡± Steffen said, bowing before he led the way inside.


    Elise craned her head to look at the exterior of the tent. No, her eyes were not deceiving her. Even though the inside of the tent opened into a large room, there was nothing outside but the measly tent.


    ¡°The owner of this tent is particularly skilled at enchanting, building, and producing material goods. He made the tent, which is similar to a large safe in that it is the doorway to different parts of his home,¡± Angelique said when Elise and Gerhart were the only ones left outside.


    Elise and Gerhart exchanged looks before they entered together, embraced by the sudden warmth of the room.


    ¡°Princes, and friend,¡± Angelique added, glancing at Brida. ¡°Please seat yourselves. I will be back momentarily with tea and refreshments. Elise, if you would follow me,¡± Angelique said, picking up the tea tray before she disappeared through a door at the far side of the room.


    On the other side of the door was the most lavish bathroom Elise had seen. There was a fireplace that had an iron grid built above the fire coals. This grid was laden with rocks, which the flickering flames licked as they burned the coals.


    The floor was tile, and on the far side of the room was a large tub. Next to it was a rope¡ªwhich Angelique pulled¡ªand part of the ceiling collapsed down, filling the tub with water.


    ¡°It¡¯s lukewarm, but I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll want it hot,¡± Angelique said, testing the water before she used a set of tongs to remove several stones off the grid. She dropped them one by one into the tub, making hissing steam whenever a rock hit the surface of the water. Angelique tested the water again. ¡°Perfect. You can bathe as long as you like. Here are towels and something for you to wear, and here are some oils if you cannot get the smoke smell out of your hair,¡± the enchantress said, setting a fluffy towel on a wooden chair before indicating to several small bottles placed on a stand next to the tub.


    ¡°There is no need to hurry. I¡¯m certain your brothers are starving. I will see them fed. You may join us when you wish,¡± Angelique said, pulling a velvet curtain around the tub for Elise¡¯s privacy.


    ¡°Your friend won¡¯t mind this?¡± Elise asked.

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    ¡°No, certainly not. Stil enjoys entertaining, especially when he¡¯s not here,¡± Angelique said before she left the bathroom through a different door, taking the tea tray with her.


    Elise scrubbed herself until she was pink, getting rid of every smudge and splotch of dirt that caked on her over the past few weeks. She soaked and rinsed her hair several times until her tired curls regained some of their spring. By the time she left the bath she was as wrinkled as a prune and smelled like freshly cut lavender.Advertisement


    The dress Angelique had set out faintly reminded Elise of her Treasury Department uniform. It was black with white sleeves made of fine, opaque material. The sleeve cut off at her elbow and turned into a long black cuff that encased her forearm and hooked around her middle finger. The dress lacked the gold braiding Elise¡¯s work uniform had, but the belt was a gold sash, and there were several golden ribbons and a pair of black silk slippers set out as well.


    Elise tied her hair back with one ribbon and used the remaining two to make a new loop to hang the treasury vault key from. She discarded the dirty red rope she had made from her old uniform¡ªit was stained and ratty¡ªand slipped on the shoes before she deemed herself presentable and left the bathroom.


    ¡°Perfect timing, princess. Your brothers were just asking after you,¡± Angelique said from one of the odd-looking sofas. ¡°Please, come have some tea and scones.¡±


    ¡°You look much better. You were quite bedraggled and scruffy before.¡± Falk said, blasting Elise with a backhanded compliment as he inspected her from head to toe. ¡°Not that you didn¡¯t have reason to be,¡± he added.


    Rune smiled fondly before he slid a hand beneath Elise¡¯s chin. ¡°You look beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t she though?¡± Steffen said, crowding Rune away from Elise.


    Elise seated herself next to Angelique and took the hot tea the enchantress offered her. It smelled like peppermint, but it was sweetened with honey and a little milk.


    When Elise¡¯s stomach growled, Erick passed a plate laden with scones and tea sandwiches.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Elise said, devouring a chicken sandwich.


    ¡°I do not mean to rush you, Lady Enchantress, but you said you knew of someone who could break the curse?¡± Steffen asked.


    Angelique topped off Elise¡¯s tea. ¡°I do: F¨¹rstin Elise.¡±


    Elise choked on her sandwich.


    ¡°Pardon?¡± Steffen blinked.


    ¡°No, I see where this is going. We cannot ask Elise to do more for us,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Her hands will take months to heal, even if I purchase the best creams and plants to make pastes for her. She cannot do a thing more,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Elise has done more than her fair share,¡± Gerhart chimed in.


    ¡°I agree with what you say,¡± Erick said. ¡°But perhaps we should hear out the Lady Enchantress first.¡±


    Angelique smiled when the brothers quieted down. ¡°As I mentioned, after I left you, I called on my friend in Erlauf. She used to be in charge of seeking out young boys and girls who are gifted with magical talents before she became a fairy godmother.¡±


    ¡°I discussed with her the oddity that the curse worked on every Arcainian royal¡ªGabrielle excluded¡ªexcept for you,¡± Angelique continued. ¡°After conversing further, we concluded that the only logical explanation is you have the ability to use magic as well.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but that¡¯s impossible. There would have been signs. I wouldn¡¯t be the royal family¡¯s foster child,¡± Elise said. ¡°Magic is not something a person can hide. Furthermore, I would know! There¡¯s no possible way I could be ignorant of an ability like that.¡±


    Angelique shook her head. ¡°You are ignorant because of the way your powers manifested. Observe,¡± Angelique said. She drew her fingers together, making a glittering ball of light. She flicked her fingers, and the ball rolled in Elise¡¯s direction. When the ball touched Elise, it bounced off her and faded away like smoke.


    Angelique made a second ball and flicked it at Erick. It stuck to him like a burr, remaining there until Erick crushed it with his fingers.


    ¡°What does this mean?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°It means your powers, probably as a result of the country you live in, lie in magic cancelation. Magic cannot survive around you. Thus a curse, even one as powerful as the one Clotilde used against you, will not work,¡± Angelique said. ¡°The curse couldn¡¯t hit you, but it was powerful enough to survive contact with you, so it bounced back and hit Clotilde.¡±


    ¡°It is my understanding that it is difficult for other magic users to hide their powers from each other. How could no one have discovered Elise before now?¡± Erick asked.


    ¡°Probably because Elise¡¯s magic doesn¡¯t feel like magic. I didn¡¯t notice it myself until I touched her and felt my powers go mute,¡± Angelique said. ¡°Elise does not give off the aura of magic because, to put it simply, her presence devours all traces of magic.¡±


    ¡°And our curse?¡± Mikk said, rubbing his chin.

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    ¡°Yeah, how was Elise able to break our curse if her touch cancels magic?¡± Nick asked.


    ¡°Breaking a curse is an entirely different matter than human-made magic. It deals with a deeper power that would easily override Elise¡¯s magic,¡± Angelique said.Advertisement


    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand,¡± Elise said.


    Angelique tilted her head as she thought. ¡°The magic I use¡ªthe magic any enchanter or enchantresses uses, Elise included¡ªis a sort of surface magic. It is using your personal powers to change things. The magic that went into breaking your curse was a far deeper and older kind of magic that existed long before any enchanter walked these lands. Using love to conquer darkness is a power as old as the oceans. It is not surprising that Elise¡¯s powers would have no affect on such potent magic. Once the steps are taken, no one can stop the consequences of a sacrifice made from love.¡±


    ¡°So how can I destroy her? Do you mean for me to wake Father from his stupor?¡± Elise said.


    Angelique sipped her tea. ¡°I¡¯m afraid the task before you is much bigger than that. You must cut her off from her power source. Clotilde¡¯s powers are nothing special, but if you cancel the magic of the artifacts she uses to prepare her big curses, she will expire.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Erick asked.


    ¡°Clotilde has put her life into those artifacts. If you destroy them, you destroy her,¡± Angelique said.


    Steffen pressed his fingertips together. ¡°Can you guarantee Elise¡¯s safety?¡±


    ¡°No. We know nothing about Elise¡¯s abilities. There may be limitations, but I do not know how to properly test a magic student¡ªI¡¯m still an apprentice. Additionally, the testing process is a lengthy one. Based on the news I heard in Erlauf, I¡¯m not certain Arcainia can hold out much longer.¡±


    ¡°News? What news?¡± Rune asked.


    Angelique rubbed her tea cup with her thumb. ¡°You royal siblings have worked to increase Arcainia¡¯s power and wealth under your supervision. You have succeeded, but the country does not flourish without you.¡±


    Steffen relaxed. ¡°Of that we are well aware.¡±


    ¡°As such, Arcainia has not prospered under Clotilde¡¯s rule. Her presence is evil, and the land is rejecting her. There was a famine this year¡ªalmost all crops were lost to blight or fungus. A storm hit Carabas harbor and nearly destroyed it. Without Prince Rune¡¯s frequent patrols, more magical creatures with ill-intensions entered the country. Several villages were destroyed by those creatures. The army is underfunded and will not be able to survive much longer without proper finances, and as Clotilde lacks access to the majority of the country¡¯s funds, she has raised taxes to support her spending.¡±


    ¡°How high are the taxes?¡± Elise asked, her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Too high. After the massive crop failure, many of your subjects are unable to pay the tax. Normally, they would leave and become refugees, but your subjects trust you, and they¡¯re waiting for your return,¡± Angelique said. ¡°But Clotilde does not let them go unpunished.¡±


    Elise stared at her welt-covered hands. Clotilde was going to ruin the country and beat all of their subjects into submission. Arcainia was suffering.


    ¡°We will have to do something,¡± Mikk said. ¡°Not Elise.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about time we take some of the burden,¡± Nick said.


    Gerhart stood to snag a marmalade tart. ¡°I try to look useless, but I don¡¯t relish the idea of Elise being the only one in our family responsible for our country¡¯s freedom,¡± he said.


    ¡°We can do nothing more today. That much is clear,¡± Steffen said, rubbing his eyes.


    ¡°Daylight is all but gone. If we set out for Arcainia, we would not get very far,¡± Rune agreed.


    ¡°We may spend the evening here,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°Your friend will not mind?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Stil? No. Even if he comes home, I doubt he will notice our presence, although I must apologize, for he does not have enough rooms for us all,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°No matter, we men will sleep here. There are plenty of cushions, and we¡¯re used to spending our nights in much more uncomfortable places these days,¡± Steffen said, the corners of his mouth turning wryly.


    ¡°Does he have a room for Elise and Brida?¡± Rune asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Angelique said.


    After another hour or two of discussion, Angelique showed Elise and Brida to a guest room¡ªwhich was just as lavish as the bathroom.


    Elise relished the feeling of soft, clean sheets and a feather-stuffed mattress, but her mind would not settle even after Brida blew out the last candle.


    Elise couldn¡¯t stop thinking about Arcainia.

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    When Angelique first said Elise could defeat Clotilde, Elise wanted to cry. Hadn¡¯t she done enough? She almost died freeing her brothers, and more was required of her? But even as she wallowed in her misery, the faces of her friends and servants back home played a continuous loop in her mind.


    There was sweet Gretta from the Treasury Department; she always made sure Elise had tea to serve any visitors; Flora, the pastry chef¡ªshe slipped Elise extra treats whenever it had been a rough work day; and Otto, King Henrik¡¯s valet who thought to routinely send Elise a stomach tonic when she first joined the royal family and, unused to the sheer amount and richness of food, made herself sick with her greed on a daily basis. Even those Elise didn¡¯t personally know she remembered¡ªthe guards on their patrols who took the time to bow and smile, the hotheaded bunch of secretaries from the Commerce Department who ate like a flock of seagulls, even the kind-hearted stable hands of the royal stable that knew of her fear of horses and worked with her to disguise it.Advertisement


    The Treasury Department employees alone were enough to make Elise reconsider, but the longer Elise remembered who was back in Arcainia, the more convinced she was that she had to do something. What forced her to make up her mind was the memory of her father, King Henrik.


    He was a great man, always warm and friendly. Even though the Royal brothers sometimes took pains to remind Elise she was a fosterling, King Henrik never withheld affection or love from her. He showered gifts and attention on her like she was one of his own children.


    Elise couldn¡¯t abandon him to Clotilde¡¯s clutches.


    Chapter 13


    In the late hours of the night, Elise slid out of her warm bed. She shivered in the cool air and felt her way around the room. She found the slippers Angelique had given her and slipped them on. She eased the door open and was halfway through it when Brida spoke.


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t a question.


    ¡°It is unlikely my brothers will allow me to try to take Clotilde on,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I agree.¡±


    ¡°But if there¡¯s a chance I can free Arcainia, I must try, even if it is risky and foolish.¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± Brida repeated, lighting a candle before she tossed blankets off her body. Like Elise, Brida went to bed fully clothed. However, she went a step further and still had her weapons strapped to her. ¡°Which is why I will accompany you.¡±


    Elise stared at the captain. ¡°You knew I was going to leave tonight?¡±


    ¡°I suspected,¡± Brida said, shouldering the supply bag she had brought into the bedroom. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Elise and Brida tiptoed through the strange house, blowing out the candle when they found the salon. Coals still glowed in the fireplace, giving them just enough light to see by as they slinked through the treacherous maze of male bodies.


    Elise¡¯s brothers were strewn through the room, and their outstretched limbs made it difficult to wade around them and get to the door. Elise almost fell once to avoid stepping on Mikk¡¯s arm when he moved it unexpectedly, but Brida caught her and set her upright before they sprang the last few steps to the door.


    They exited the salon, or tent as it was, and almost rammed into Angelique.


    ¡°Princess Elise, Captain Meier. How surprising,¡± she said, her face illuminated by the glittering sky.


    ¡°Good evening, Lady Enchantress. What brings you outside at this hour?¡± Elise asked, stalling so she could come up with a legitimate reason for their presence.


    Angelique indicated to the sky. ¡°I was checking on my mount. I rode him longer than usual, and I wasn¡¯t sure what condition he would be in.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Elise said, wondering why the beautiful enchantress pointed to the sky.


    Angelique studied Elise and Brida, but refrained from imposing a similar question on them. All the same, Elise blurted out, ¡°Do you really believe I can take on Clotilde?¡±


    Angelique nodded. ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°What do I need to do?¡±


    ¡°Your bare touch should be enough. It seems that you do not toggle your powers on and off, but you constantly use them. As a result, you do not need to worry about activating anything on your end. Clotilde keeps her tools for her dark magic on her at all times. If your magic is strong enough, your touch will cancel her magic, as well as the artifacts¡¯ magic. It will be her end,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°If my magic is strong enough?¡± Elise asked.


    Angelique nodded again. ¡°I have no way of measuring your magic, so I cannot tell you if your powers are enough to smother everything. The way you attack her would make a difference, I suppose. Skin to skin contact would provide the best channel for your magic to reach her. The more contact, the better.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Elise said.


    Brida slid her pack off her shoulders as she approached her tethered mare. ¡°Your powers were enough to keep you from being cursed, F¨¹rstin. I am certain you are strong enough to defeat that witch.¡±

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    ¡°Thank you, Brida. I wish I had your confidence,¡± Elise said. ¡°We are leaving tonight, before my brothers wake. They will never let me face Clotilde, and I feel that I must try.¡±


    Angelique smoothed the skirt of her iridescent dress. ¡°I think you underestimate your powers of persuasion over your brothers, Princess. If you tell them you feel strongly on the matter, I suspect they will bow to your wishes.¡±Advertisement


    Elise felt her heart squeeze in her chest, as if a hand were crushing it. ¡°Perhaps,¡± she agreed, thinking of the sleeping princes with their soft snores and strewn limbs. ¡°But, but,¡± she struggled for a moment to school herself. ¡°I cannot risk them again. I almost lost them, and I could not live with myself if Clotilde cursed them a second time,¡± she said, her voice nothing but a whisper.


    There was a long space of silence.


    ¡°I understand,¡± Angelique said.


    ¡°You do?¡± Elise perked up.


    Angelique¡¯s smile was painful. ¡°More than I wish I did. You must leave now if you are to have a chance of confronting Clotilde without your brothers. When they wake, I will hold them off as long as possible, but they know you. The instant they realize you have left, they will set out after you.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to make the best use of our head start,¡± Brida said, handing Elise the reigns of Brida¡¯s tacked up mare.


    Elise blinked; she hadn¡¯t noticed when Brida started saddling the horse.


    ¡°You will need to go slowly. It is dangerous to ride in the dark. It is your good fortune that tonight is a full moon,¡± Angelique said, looking to the sky.


    ¡°We are a stone¡¯s throw from Loire. Arcainia isn¡¯t far beyond that. What time we gain by leaving tonight should be enough to keep us ahead,¡± Brida said as she saddled Falk¡¯s horse.


    ¡°One can hope,¡± Angelique said. ¡°If you excuse me, I will take my leave of you here. If your brothers ask, I can truthfully say I did not see you leave. I wish you a safe journey and great luck in your venture.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for everything, Lady Enchantress,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I am glad I can be of assistance,¡± Angelique said before she disappeared into the tent/parlor.


    ¡°I like her,¡± Elise announced, handing Brida¡¯s mare off to the captain before she took the reins of Falk¡¯s fidgety horse. (Elise almost wished Brida had chosen another horse, for he was big and flighty as well as fast, but she supposed she may as well end her journey on the same horse it started on.) ¡°She is a good sort of enchantress,¡± Brida said, swinging up into the saddle.


    Elise mounted Falk¡¯s horse and followed Brida when the confident soldier set out at a walk. ¡°Thank you, Brida.¡±


    ¡°For what, F¨¹rstin?¡±


    ¡°For traveling with me, for risking your life for me.¡±


    ¡°You are a person worth risking my life for, F¨¹rstin.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±


    With Brida leading the way, they made excellent time. They crossed the distance to Arcainia much more quickly and efficiently. A journey that had taken Elise a week (towing swans and mostly walking) took but a few days.


    When they reached the Arcainian border, it was early morning, and the sky was still pink with dawn.


    ¡°We¡¯ll avoid towns as much as possible, but we¡¯re out of food, and the horses could use some grain. We stop at Trakau for those things. I will make our purchases, but I dare not leave you in the forest. You¡¯ll need to come with me, but do not speak a word and keep your hood up,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°Is it so bad if we are recognized?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t expect trouble from the people, but they will be able to tell your brothers what direction we set out in,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it fairly obvious we will make for Castle Brandis?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but if we¡¯re not careful, they will intercept us on the way there. I imagine we were able to keep our lead as your brothers do not know Loire, but now that we are back on Arcainian soil, Prince Rune will be able to lead your brothers on paths that are not common knowledge and are much quicker to transverse,¡± Brida said, rolling up a map.


    ¡°I do not think we, as siblings, give Rune¡¯s intelligence enough credit,¡± Elise said. ¡°He is the sneakiest of all the princes.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps. Hood up,¡± Brida said before she rode off.


    Trakau was only a few minutes away. Elise stood with the horses while Brida bargained for grain and foodstuff. Elise could see the foul effects of Clotilde¡¯s rule in Trakau, just as Angelique said.


    The people were thinner. Arcainia was famous for their chubby, red-cheeked subjects, but everyone living in Trakau looked gaunt, their eyes glassy like marbles. The available market goods were few and expensive. Normally the place should have been overflowing with corn, squashes, and gourds at this time of the year.


    Elise nearly jumped out of her dress when a peasant woman touched her elbow, pulling her from her stormy thoughts. ¡°Princess Elise?¡±


    Still used to holding her tongue, Elise stared at the woman and backed up into Brida¡¯s mare.

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    ¡°It is you,¡± the woman said. She spoke in a hushed tone, but it was as if a wind carried her guarded words to every person in the village.


    The little business being conducted in the market fell silent. The washerwomen stopped washing clothes to stare, and a farmer with a load of wilted hay even pulled his large draft horse to a stop in the middle of the road.Advertisement


    Everyone stared at Elise.


    Brida is going to be fuming.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± Elise asked.


    The woman reached out and took Elise¡¯s right hand, lifting it up for inspection.


    Although Elise¡¯s bath had remarkably improved her hands, the outdoor travel and time away from Falk¡¯s various concoctions undid all that good work. Her hand was still spotted with oozing welts, and her fingers were painfully curled from the mad rush of knitting to finish the last of the capes. Her hands were ugly.


    Tears formed in the peasant woman¡¯s eyes, and she turned around to look at her friends and neighbors.


    All at once everyone began moving again.


    One man fixed a feedbag filled with sweet grain on Brida and Falk¡¯s horses. A peasant woman wrapped a cloth around a block of cheese and packed it in Elise¡¯s saddlebag while the village farrier picked out the horses¡¯ hooves.


    Elise watched all of this happen as the woman held her hand. ¡°Pardon me, we couldn¡¯t possibly¡ªI do not know how much money we have on us¡­ Brida!¡±


    Brida was at Elise¡¯s side in a moment. ¡°While we thank you for your service, I regret to inform you all that we cannot possibly pay for this,¡± Brida said as a child filled their water skins from the village well and replaced them on the horses.


    ¡°We require no payment,¡± the farrier said, using a handkerchief to dab at the sweat on his red face.


    ¡°But,¡± Elise started.


    ¡°It is our pleasure, Princess,¡± the woman who held Elise¡¯s hand captive said. She bowed over Elise¡¯s hand and released her.


    ¡°But,¡± Elise repeated.


    ¡°Our hearts go with you,¡± the man with the feedbags said after he unclipped the bags from the horses.


    Elise mulishly tucked her head, but stopped when Brida placed a hand on Elise¡¯s elbow. ¡°Leave it be, F¨¹rstin. We must be thankful and keep moving.¡±


    Elise reluctantly turned to her subjects. ¡°Thank you. I can¡¯t imagine what this will cost you, but thank you.¡±


    Brida and Elise mounted up and set off, waving farewell. When they just left the village, a youth on a swift horse galloped past them.


    ¡°Hm,¡± Brida said, studying the horse and rider as they disappeared.


    ¡°What?¡± Elise asked, her shoulders stiff with strain as she clung to the saddle.


    ¡°We may soon have company.¡±


    ¡°Unwanted company?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    Elise and Brida¡¯s travels across Arcainia had a ripple effect. Although they avoided towns and villages, people lined the dirt roads Brida chose to travel on. They were not loud. No one cheered or shouted or waved flags. It wasn¡¯t like the frequent parades Elise and her foster-brothers were put on display for.


    Instead everyone was solemn. They were silent as Brida and Elise rode past, but the occasional child would throw the last flowers of fall on the road. They typically bowed, murmuring encouragement under their breath.


    ¡°Luck be with you, Princess.¡±


    ¡°Our strength is yours, F¨¹rstin.¡±


    ¡°We stand with you!¡±


    ¡°Princess.¡±


    ¡°¡ªBless the princess.¡±


    Brida seemed unbothered by the attention, but Elise beheld it with fear. Although the people were quiet, the unmistakable shine of hope lit their eyes. They looked to Elise to save them. What terrified Elise was that for the first time in her life she wasn¡¯t sure if she could save them. No amount of hard work or discipline would win this battle. Elise could do nothing to assure her victory. She would either beat Clotilde, or she wouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°What if I can¡¯t do this, Brida?¡± Elise asked, her voice tight as she and the captain rode side-by-side past a family of farmers.


    ¡°You must trust you are strong enough. You must accept that you, more so than any of your siblings, are fit to be the savior of Arcainia. Doubting will only ruin your confidence. Believe, F¨¹rstin,¡± Brida said.


    Sooner than she wished, Elise and Brida were at gates of Castle Brandis.


    ¡°Steady, F¨¹rstin,¡± Brida said before they rode into the city.


    ¡°Pst, Princess!¡± a dirty, sharp-faced girl in an alleyway said. ¡°Princess Gabrielle sent me. This way,¡± she said when she had Elise and Brida¡¯s attention. She scampered up the alley, taking them off the main road.


    Elise dismounted Falk¡¯s horse so she could lead it through the trash-heaped alley, barely able to keep an eye on the little girl who jumped from place to place like a flea.

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    The girl led them on a long, winding route, and just when Elise feared they were being led into a trap, they popped out of alleyway and through a back gate used by soldiers, taking them straight into the servants¡¯ portion of the castle. Two stable boys, who were waiting at the gates, took the horses from Elise and Brida before the girl led the way to a servant entrance into Brandis.


    The girl left them in an empty corridor and went skipping back outside.Advertisement


    ¡°Well done Elise, Captain Meier. You have made it to Brandis safely.¡±


    Brida unsheathed her sword and Elise spun around, looking for the speaker. ¡°Gabrielle?¡± she said.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Elise peered down the hallway. ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I apologize. I forgot. Puss, if you would please?¡±


    Gabrielle¡¯s black and white cat leaped out of thin air, and Princess Gabrielle shimmered into existence. The princess wore plain clothes¡ªa skirt that was barely knee length, men¡¯s breeches, and black boots Elise was shocked to see¡ªbut the trial had not dimmed her beauty. Gabrielle still glittered with a natural splendor most women would envy. ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you,¡± Gabrielle said, embracing Elise.


    ¡°What? How did you¡ª?¡±


    ¡°Angelique has been in contact with me. She told me how you broke the curse, but we have to hurry. Your brothers are not an hour behind you,¡± Gabrielle said.


    ¡°What? How did they catch up so quickly? We should have half a day on them,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°It is not surprising. Half the country witnessed the route we were going,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°I suspect Clotilde is also expecting you,¡± Gabrielle said.


    A chill invaded Elise like icy hands grasping at her throat. ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°She is in the throne room. No one has spoken a word of your travels, I can promise you that,¡± Gabrielle said, glancing over her shoulder as if the witch queen could hear her whispered words. ¡°She has grown stronger in your absence and likely felt you enter Arcainia through her dark powers.¡±


    Elise leaned against a wall, letting the cold stone support her as her sister-in-law and guard continued the conversation.


    ¡°Even if the Queen is aware of F¨¹rstin Elise¡¯s presence, an ambush is not out of the realm of possibilities,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°We could jump her in a hallway. She has a usual orbit she makes through Brandis¡ªit is unusual for her to remain in the throne room for such a lengthy amount of time,¡± Gabrielle said, unrolling a map of Castle Brandis and holding it against a wall. ¡°We have a short while until tea time. She eats here, in the Sun Solar with King Henrik,¡± Gabrielle said, tracing a path on the map with her finger.


    ¡°The best place for an assault would be here. A smaller space is ideal. F¨¹rstin Elise must be in close quarters with Clotilde,¡± Brida said, pointing to a narrow hallway.


    ¡°We have at least half an hour before she leaves the throne room to pick our spot and fortify it. Wouldn¡¯t you agree, Puss?¡± Gabrielle asked when her black and white cat leaped to her shoulder.


    ¡°At least,¡± the cat said. (So that part hadn¡¯t been a dream. Elise had been hoping it was.) ¡°Perhaps closer to an hour.¡±


    ¡°Excellent. We must warn the servants, but we must also mask the point of attack or Clotilde will expect it,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°Yes. She isn¡¯t very bright, but even Clotilde¡ªElise?¡± Gabrielle asked.


    Elise left the wall and started walking down the hallway. ¡°No,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°No, what?¡± Gabrielle asked, taking a few quick steps to catch up with her.


    ¡°There will be no ambush; there will be no waiting,¡± Elise said. ¡°I will face her now. There is no point in delaying it. I will either match her power or I will not,¡± Elise said, making for the throne room.


    ¡°But Elise¡ª¡± Gabrielle started.


    ¡°Are you sure that is wise, F¨¹rstin?¡± Brida asked.


    Elise stopped walking and spun on her heels to face Brida, puffed up like an angry cat. ¡°If I wait much longer, my brothers will arrive. I will die before I let that witch touch them again,¡± Elise hissed before she marched off, her black skirts swirling around her like angry storm clouds.


    ¡°Bravo,¡± the cat said.


    ¡°Then I will go with you,¡± Gabrielle said.


    ¡°What?¡± the cat hissed.


    ¡°It would be shameful to ask Elise to stand alone. I don¡¯t have any magic, but I will do my best to support you,¡± Gabrielle said.


    ¡°I will not accompany you,¡± the cat said. ¡°The princess stands a chance with her magic; your presence would be like presenting Clotilde with a fattened calf with a bow tied round its neck.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± Gabrielle said.


    ¡°I too will stand with you, F¨¹rstin,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°No,¡± Elise said as she started up a staircase. ¡°The, the c-cat is right,¡± Elise said. She never imagined a moment when she would agree with a cat. ¡°It will be too dangerous for both you. I should face Clotilde alone.¡±


    ¡°Not a chance,¡± Gabrielle said.


    ¡°Out of the question,¡± Brida said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you two to sacrifice yourselves for my sake,¡± Elise said when they left the staircase and entered the main part of the castle.

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    ¡°But it¡¯s perfectly acceptable for you to sacrifice yourself for the sake of the country?¡± Gabrielle asked.


    ¡°F¨¹rstin, do you know why I stayed with you in the trees when you were angered with your brothers?¡± Brida asked, placing a hand on Elise¡¯s shoulders and forcing her stop her ruthless march.Advertisement


    ¡°I assumed it was out of duty or pity,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Partially, yes. As a guard of Arcainia, it was my duty to see to your wellbeing. But more than that, it was because it is not good to fight a battle alone.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You assume Prince Rune battles monsters on his own, yes?¡± Brida asked.


    ¡°Of course. I have seen him single-handedly kill vile creatures,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°There,¡± Brida said, jabbing a finger in the air. ¡°Prince Rune kills the monsters alone, yes, but he never battles alone.¡±


    ¡°I fail to see a difference between the two,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Prince Rune might be the only man pitted against whatever ill creature has done Arcainia harm, but he is never there alone. Usually there is a squad of soldiers already fortified in the area who provide support for the prince. If there are no soldiers, then farmers, villagers, and everyday citizens will take up arms to support him. True, they never do any fighting, but they are always there to support Prince Rune.¡±


    Elise considered Brida¡¯s words and thought back on the times Rune took Elise monster-hunting with him. The captain was right. Rune never went alone into a fight. There was always a medical personal on alert and usually several other armed, burly men who made a wall behind Rune. Sometimes people were employed as distractions to make the kill easier.


    ¡°When you knitted, you fought a battle just as brutal as the monsters Prince Rune faces. It was not good for you to be alone, which was why I made it a point to stay with you until Prince Falk recovered his wits enough to follow you,¡± Brida said.


    Her proclamation made Gabrielle¡¯s eyebrows raise, but the beautiful princess said nothing.


    ¡°You are entering another terrible battle. It is not good for you to enter into it alone, F¨¹rstin,¡± Brida said.


    Elise mulled over Brida¡¯s words, glancing at Gabrielle when the older girl took her hand and squeezed it. ¡°Alright. But at the first sign of trouble you have to flee,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Never,¡± Gabrielle said, embracing Elise before pulling her along. ¡°Let¡¯s go battle a witch.¡±


    ¡°This is ludicrous,¡± the cat said from Gabrielle¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Gabrielle said.


    ¡°You have lost the complete use of your mental faculties,¡± the cat said.


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± Gabrielle said as they turned up the hallway that ended at the throne room door.


    ¡°Your plan is absolutely mad,¡± the cat said.


    ¡°It is, but you wouldn¡¯t miss out on it for the world,¡± Gabrielle said, pausing to scratch her pet under the chin.


    The cat growled but did not speak further as the three mismatched warriors descended on the door attendant.


    ¡°Crown Princess Gabrielle, F-F¨¹rstin Elise,¡± he gasped.


    ¡°She is expecting us, Arthur. There is no need to announce us,¡± Gabrielle said, tossing her head like a wild horse.


    The middle-aged man studied the trio under drooping brows. ¡°Are you sure you want to do this, My Ladies?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Elise said, pulling her shoulders back. Although her heart was painfully full of fear, she would not let it hold her back. ¡°Thank you, Arthur.¡±


    The portly doorman bowed. ¡°As you wish, Princess,¡± he said before he opened the door and stepped aside.


    Chapter 14


    Clotilde was seated in her throne, wearing a beautiful dress that was the deep green color of a peacock¡¯s feather. She wore Queen Ingrid¡¯s gold crown on her head and strings of diamonds woven into the braid of her blonde hair.


    She smiled like a snake, her jaw opening disproportionately wide. ¡°Darling Elise, I knew I would see you again,¡± Clotilde said as she stood.


    Elise always thought as evil being black, but as she strode towards Clotilde, Elise realized that evil was not darkness, but a gaping hole. Clotilde¡¯s greed and desire for power infected the very air. She pulled every spot of goodness and beauty to her, devouring them and never filling.


    Clotilde was evil because of her vast emptiness and the underhanded methods she used to steal, kill, and destroy others to fulfill her desires and wishes. Black magic wasn¡¯t black because of the color; it was vile because of the bottomless evil and the unspeakable acts it would do to get what its wielder desired.


    At the foot of the dais the thrones were perched on, Elise halted. ¡°Of course,¡± she said. ¡°Someone has to set you in your proper place,¡± her words faltered when she caught sight of King Henrik.


    He looked far worse than when Elise had last seen him. His hair was almost completely grey, and his skin was slack, hanging from his body like an ill-fitting cloak. All of his muscle was gone, and he looked like he lost a significant amount of height.

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    Father, what has she done to you?


    ¡°You are more stupid than I thought if you think you can defeat me,¡± Clotilde said, her nearly colorless eyes were dilated in spite of the light in the room. ¡°There is nothing you can do. Your brothers and father are lost¡ªforever.¡±Advertisement


    ¡°On the contrary,¡± a male voice said.


    Elise turned around just in time to see her seven foster brothers enter the throne room, coated with dust but looking no worse for the wear.


    Elise could feel Gabrielle go taut like a violin string when she met her husband¡¯s eyes across the room. Her muscles jerked, as if she was barely controlling herself from throwing herself into Steffen¡¯s arms, but she stayed at Elise¡¯s side.


    ¡°What?¡± Clotilde said, her voice screeching like breaking glass. ¡°That¡¯s not possible!¡±


    Elise tilted her head and studied Clotilde. The wicked queen didn¡¯t know? She didn¡¯t feel it when Elise broke the curse? Perhaps Elise was strong enough to defeat her after all.


    There was a roar. Clotilde pulled two black diamonds from a pocket sewn into her gown. She held them above her head where they glowed, dark light emitting from them.


    The diamonds were the evil artifacts Angelique had warned Elise of. She was going to do it again. Clotilde was going to turn Elise¡¯s foster brothers into swans.


    ¡°NO!¡± Elise said in a scream wrenched from her soul.


    ¡°Gabi,¡± the cat said.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± the crown princess said.


    ¡°Positive. Do it,¡± the cat said.


    Just as the diamonds released black bolts of lightning, Gabrielle tossed her cat in the air. The feline intercepted the lightning bolts, which bounced off the cat as if they hit a mirror, burning the marble floor where they were diverted before dissipating.


    Gabrielle caught her cat, tucking him under her chin.


    Brida unsheathed a sword. ¡°Go, F¨¹rstin,¡± the captain said as she crouched with her sword.


    Elise took a deep breath before she charged up the first few stairs.


    Clotilde narrowed her poisonous eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you managed to break my magic, but I can promise you, you won¡¯t free your brothers a second time,¡± Clotilde said, gripping a black diamond in each fist. ¡°You can¡¯t cower behind Princess Gabrielle¡¯s little cat forever.¡±


    Elise kept climbing the stairs.


    ¡°Do you really think you can stop me, Elise? You are nothing but a fraud. You are even less royal than I am. You¡¯re not a princess. You¡¯re nothing but a street rat orphan,¡± Clotilde said, spit flying from her mouth in her rage. ¡°You strive to be portrait perfect, but in the end you will die, and everyone will hear of your failure,¡± Clotilde said when Elise reached the top of the dais. ¡°After I am through with you, I will curse your brothers again and put them through agony before I have them killed and stuffed as mantle piece decorations. Once they expire, King Henrik will not be far behind. I will kill them all, but I will take the greatest pleasure in killing you.¡±


    Clotilde struck like a snake, moving to backhand Elise on the face. Elise caught her by the wrist and held it in an iron grip. ¡°No, you will not,¡± Elise said, her voice strong like the ocean.


    Her fears had not left her, but Brida was right. She took strength in knowing Brida, Gabrielle, and all of her foster brothers were behind her. And Clotilde¡¯s threats? They enraged Elise.


    Clotilde stared at the wrist Elise held, her eyes wide and her body stiff.


    ¡°Your first mistake was cursing my brothers,¡± Elise said, reaching out to pluck Queen Ingrid¡¯s crown from Clotilde¡¯s head. ¡°If you had just slit our throats, none of us would have survived. But your greatest mistake?¡± Elise leaned in and whispered to the queen. ¡°That was attacking my family.¡±


    Clotilde was rattled. She shook with anger and perhaps fear. Elise coldly observed the reaction, but wasn¡¯t satisfied. Her magic wasn¡¯t doing much, if anything, or Clotilde¡¯s response wouldn¡¯t be so mild.


    What was it Angelique had said would help? Skin on skin contact¡ªthe more the better. Very well, she could manage that.


    Elise released Clotilde¡¯s wrist and latched her hand on the queen¡¯s face, covering Clotilde¡¯s eyes, nose, and mouth with her spread fingers.


    Clotilde screamed but seemed unable to pull away from Elise. Her skin was hot, boiling hot under Elise¡¯s hand. The witch clutched her black diamonds in her fists but beat at her chest and ripped out chunks of her hair as she howled. She scrabbled at Elise¡¯s hand, scratching like a desperate cat.


    Elise held on in spite of the pain, and grabbed Clotilde¡¯s shoulder to keep her from fleeing.


    Stone cracked, and Clotilde¡¯s screaming intensified. She howled. Her skin burst with boils and oozing wounds before it turned dry and rough like old paper, crackling under Elise¡¯s fingers.


    The screams died out, and Elise stepped back just before Clotilde¡¯s body turned into ash, leaving behind jewels, a pretty gown, and two black diamonds cracked through the center.


    It was over.

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    ¡°Elise?¡±


    Elise snapped her gaze up from the pile of dust.Advertisement


    King Henrik stood. He was still grey and hunched, but his eyes were bright and intelligent. ¡°Elise, your hands¡ªwhat has happened to you, darling?¡±


    Elise couldn¡¯t help it. She burst into tears. ¡°Father,¡± she cried, throwing herself at him.


    ¡°There, there, darling. Whatever nightmare you¡¯ve faced is over. All is well,¡± King Henrik said, hugging her and rocking her like she was a little girl again.


    ¡°Gabi!¡±


    ¡°Steffen, you¡¯re well!¡±


    ¡°Father!¡±


    ¡°Elise, Father!¡±


    ¡°Elise, you did it! You beat that¡ªahh, you beat her!¡±


    The throne room was filled with laughter and tears as everyone cheered and hugged¡ªNick even did a short dance.


    Elise clung to King Henrik and cradled Queen Ingrid¡¯s crown as she sobbed in sheer relief. Finally, the nightmare was over.


    It took the better part of the afternoon to explain to King Henrik what happened. He didn¡¯t remember much since the wedding, so recounting the cursing of his children gave the king a great deal of pain.


    ¡°How could I be so foolish?¡± King Henrik said, shaking his head when all the stories were told.


    ¡°Don¡¯t blame yourself, Father. That woman was a snake,¡± Nick said, taking a swig of cider. (Bless the servants who thought to bring refreshments when the family moved to the dining hall for storytelling.) Elise sat somewhat apart from her family, not due to any feeling of separation, but because it warmed her heart to see all of them at once.


    Steffen and Gabrielle were inseparable since Steffen¡¯s return. The pair looked controlled enough, but from her vantage point Elise could see that Steffen held Gabrielle¡¯s hand with trembling fingers.


    Nick had coaxed Brida into joining the family, saying, ¡°You were the only one who could talk during the day. It¡¯s only proper for you to tell your parts of the story.¡±


    Brida was sitting in a chair next to Nick, mostly silent, but she smiled whenever Nick flashed a grin at her.


    A steady stream of men and women ghosted up to Mikk and whispered in his ear, most likely giving him the details of all that happened in his absence.


    Gerhart, although listening to his family, was hard at work writing up invitations and sending out notices. ¡°Do you have any idea how far behind I am in social engagements? I was in the middle of a number of talks that have probably all gone sour or been forgotten since the snake¡¯s rule. I have to start over from the beginning,¡± Gerhart sighed, laying an arm across his eyes when his brothers scolded him for working.


    Rune and Falk were seated closest to Elise, so they were the ones who looked up when Elise finally spoke. ¡°I nearly forgot in all the chaos, but where is Angelique?¡±


    ¡°Recovering,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Rune, more prone to give details, picked up the story. ¡°When we set foot on Arcainian soil, we set off some kind of curse. Apparently Clotilde worried we might return, so she set up some defenses. One of the curses alerted her to our presence¡ªthat one was too fast for Angelique to get¡ªbut the other unleashed a basilisk on us. Nasty thing,¡± Rune said, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if I could take one on alone. Anyway, she sent us on ahead and said she could handle it. We didn¡¯t make it far before we heard explosions. She caught up to us on her flashy horse, but she was pale as snow and as cold as ice.¡±


    ¡°Did it hurt her?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°No,¡± Rune said. ¡°It didn¡¯t get the chance. She hit it with the most powerful spells she had.¡±


    ¡°It is generally known that powerful magics cannot be used without incurring a sort of penalty or backlash. Typically it makes the caster ill or saps their strength. There are some exceptions of course,¡± Falk said, eyeing Elise.


    ¡°She couldn¡¯t keep up with us in her condition, so we left her in a village on our way here,¡± Rune said. ¡°She assured us she would be fine. She just needed to recoup a little bit.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. You managed perfectly well anyway,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Gabrielle said her cat was going to check on her,¡± Rune said, looking a little confused by the report. ¡°She said he is an old companion of hers.¡±


    ¡°Boys, scatter,¡± King Henrik said, seating himself in a chair next to Elise.


    Falk scowled, but Rune placed a brotherly arm around him. ¡°Yes, Father,¡± Rune said before he and Falk joined the rest of their siblings.


    Elise smiled at King Henrik when they left. ¡°I¡¯m so happy to see you, Father.¡±


    ¡°And I am overjoyed to see you,¡± King Henrik said, patting Elise¡¯s hair. ¡°It seems I have you to thank for saving not only my family, but our country.¡±


    Elise shook her head and ran her fingers on the edges of Queen Ingrid¡¯s gold crown, which was on her lap. ¡°It was more than just me. I couldn¡¯t have done any of that without Brida, or my brothers.¡±

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    ¡°Foster brothers,¡± King Henrik said, absent-mindedly stroking his beard.


    Elise nodded and looked down at the crown in her lap. After all of this, she was still just a foster child.Advertisement


    ¡°Elise, darling, you know you are my daughter, yes?¡±


    ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± Elise asked, raising her eyes.


    ¡°I have not adopted you and given you my family name for¡­various reasons. But you are still my daughter, as you are Queen Ingrid¡¯s daughter,¡± King Henrik said. ¡°You are her legacy. She chose you. She looked all over Arcainia to find you.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Elise asked. ¡°Why me?¡±


    King Henrik sighed. ¡°I knew one day I would have to explain this, but I never much wanted the day to come,¡± he said. ¡°You know why the use of magic is banned here in Arcainia? Why we can use magic-made goods and materials, but every enchanter, enchantress, or fairy godmother who visits us cannot use their magic while in our lands?


    ¡°Yes,¡± Elise carefully said. Even though everyone knew the reason, openly discussing it was something of a taboo. ¡°It was because Mother was an enchantress before she married you. The Veneno Conclave worried she might abuse her powers to better Arcainia. They agreed she could marry you only if she renounced her magic.¡±


    ¡°She did, as you know. But the conclave feared her friends and allies might take it upon themselves to use magic in her stead, so they banned the use of magic in Arcainia all together,¡± King Henrik nodded. ¡°But what they banned was casted magic. Some people are gifted with natural magic, like you. From what your brothers tell me, this ability of yours to cancel out magic is always active. It is a part of your very being, and it is a power unique to you. You do not have the ability to be an enchantress, as Lady Angelique, but your powers are still magic.¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Your Mother, Queen Ingrid, had a bit of natural magic as well as her powers as an enchantress. It was nothing big; she could occasionally sense the future. She never saw complete pictures. It was more feelings and prophecies of what could come. After Rune was born, Ingrid foresaw her death was approximately two decades away. She also foresaw that your brothers and I would be in grave danger after her death,¡± King Henrik said, shifting in his chair.


    ¡°Ingrid was a stubborn woman, and she knew she could not rely on her friends to aid us with magic being banned and all, so she searched far and wide for a person who could help us. She found you. I don¡¯t know if she knew about your powers. She didn¡¯t tell me everything she saw about you or any of us, I think to save us from ourselves, but she did see that if you remained with our family you would see us through, and quite possibly save the Arcainian empire. She did not wish to tell you this, fearing such a prophecy would burden you, but our eldest boys were made aware of the situation. Being unable to keep their mouths shut after we took you in as a fosterling, they shared the news with their brothers.¡±


    Elise vaguely recalled Gerhart complaining about everyone calling her the family savior. They must have discussed the situation when she was not around.


    King Henrik cleared his throat. ¡°She also foresaw some of your¡­mmmm¡­romantic entanglements,¡± he said, tugging on the collar of the black jacket he wore.


    ¡°She foresaw that Rune and Falk would profess their love for me?¡± Elise guessed.


    ¡°Yes,¡± King Henrik said, looking relieved. ¡°Matters of the heart are tricky to foresee, so it was not set in stone, but she wanted to give you the freedom to choose whom you loved. That is why she forbade us from officially adopting you. As long as you remained a fosterling, you were free to love whomever you wished¡ªwhether he be an Arcainian prince or a lowly blacksmith.¡±


    Elise nodded, pursing her lips.


    ¡°You are not surprised?¡± King Henrik said.


    ¡°After seeing my brothers turn into swans and holding a conversation with a cat, no. I can¡¯t say I am,¡± Elise said.


    King Henrik laughed and slapped his leg. ¡°Elise, my darling daughter, you are certainly the daughter of Ingrid¡¯s heart.¡±


    ¡°There is something that is still bothering me,¡± Erick said, rapping a spoon on the table surface to get his family¡¯s attention.


    ¡°What?¡± Nick asked. ¡°Are you sad none of your little college attendees have come to check on you yet?¡±


    ¡°No. Why didn¡¯t the Veneno Conclave act against Clotilde? They chased after the Lady Enchantress Angelique fast enough. You cannot tell me they were unaware of Clotilde¡¯s activity. The woman was entirely lacking in subtlety,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°It is odd that they would allow dark magic to be used at all. It¡¯s been decades since a powerful dark magic user like Clotilde made so much as an attempt for power,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Odd doesn¡¯t begin to describe it,¡± Steffen said.


    ¡°No, Rune has a point of which he probably isn¡¯t aware,¡± Erick said.

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    ¡°Gee, thanks,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Clotilde was not a powerful dark magic user. Her black diamonds were the real power,¡± Erick said. ¡°Where did she get them from?¡±Advertisement


    ¡°Or whom,¡± Mikk said.


    ¡°Yes, she wasn¡¯t the type to go searching for a dark power. She wouldn¡¯t be smart enough to recognize it if she saw it. Someone must have given them to her,¡± Gabrielle said.


    ¡°In other words, we can be sure Clotilde was acting with help,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°Is it possible that Clotilde was part of a bigger movement? One bigger than Arcainia?¡± Steffen asked.


    ¡°And the Veneno Conclave either cannot or will not counteract,¡± Erick said.


    ¡°Our wealth and exporting power are not common knowledge. I cannot think we would be the prime target for a reign of darkness,¡± Elise said.


    But the royal family turned grave as they dwelt on the possibilities.


    ¡°But, that is a matter for another day,¡± Gerhart said, springing to his feet. ¡°We got rid of the harpy, and we¡¯re no longer birds. I think it¡¯s time we hold a celebration.¡±


    ¡°A celebration?¡± Mikk said, a frown evident in his voice.


    ¡°Gerhie is right. If now isn¡¯t time for a feast, I don¡¯t know when is. Lighten up, Mikk. We¡¯ll need dancing and food,¡± Nick said standing up so he could bow and offer his hand to Brida in a mock dance.


    ¡°And guests¡ªeveryone should be invited from all over Arcainia,¡± Gerhart declared.


    ¡°And music and drinks,¡± Nick continued.


    ¡°And money,¡± Elise said with a stone face.


    ¡°Ahhhh, yes that would be the kicker,¡± Nick said, grimacing.


    ¡°I think our treasury could handle a small party, don¡¯t you think so, Elise?¡± King Henrik said.


    Elise, unable to refuse her father anything after the past few months, said, ¡°I suppose.¡±


    ¡°Hurray!¡± Nick said.


    ¡°Excellent choice, Father,¡± Gerhart praised.


    ¡°Good,¡± King Henrik said, leaning over to kiss Elise on the temple. ¡°I will use the occasion as an excuse to laud and praise you,¡± he said before shaking his head and smiling in pride. ¡°My daughter, F¨¹rstin Elise, the savior of Arcainia!¡±


    Elise leaned back in her chair, a smile on her lips. She was startled when she realized Mikk stood at her side, his hands folded behind her back.


    ¡°May I have a moment of your time?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Certainly,¡± Elise said, standing up. She awkwardly brushed her skirts before joining Mikk in a stroll around the room.


    ¡°You know our family loves you for you, not for being perfect,¡± he said when they were far enough away from the table that they wouldn¡¯t be overheard.


    Elise weighed his words. ¡°Yes,¡± she said, surprised at the realization. She didn¡¯t know exactly when the change took place, but she pushed herself to break the curse and defeat Clotilde not out of duty but love.


    ¡°You know that I have never disliked you?¡±


    Elise blinked. ¡°What?¡± It took her a moment to recall her emotional outburst the night she was told Rune and Falk loved her. She had accused Gerhart of being a brat and Mikk of holding her in distaste. ¡°Um,¡± Elise awkwardly said.


    ¡°I watched you. Out of curiosity,¡± Mikk said. ¡°Two of my brothers fell for you, that¡¯s surprisingly high odds. Also, Father told Nick and I to put a security detail on you or he would hang us from our ankles. No wooing or courting allowed,¡± Mikk said, drawing a laugh from Elise. ¡°But I never disliked you. You are my baby sister,¡± Mikk said.


    The sweet simplicity of his words made Elise¡¯s eyes water. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, choked up.


    ¡°So you don¡¯t have to be the Perfect Princess anymore,¡± Mikk said, holding out Elise¡¯s flute in one hand, a small saw in the other.


    ¡°Mikk¡­¡±


    ¡°You hate it. Break it.¡±


    Elise took the instrument with a grimace. ¡°No. I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you can.¡±


    ¡°No, I can¡¯t! Do you have any idea how much this thing costs? We could sell it to purchase a new set of carriage horses or to pay Brida¡¯s salary for half a year.¡±


    Mikk gave Elise a rare smile. It softened the normal stone bones of his face and brightened his eyes. ¡°Elise, do it.¡±


    Elise swiveled the instrument in her grip and made a noise of distress.


    ¡°I will pay a jeweler to peel off the gold work and melt it down after it is destroyed.¡±


    ¡°Ok,¡± Elise brightly said. She took the saw from Mikk, and after a moment of struggling to hold the saw and flute, Mikk took the instrument and held it secure while Elise sawed through it.


    When it snapped, Elise held the two halves above her head. ¡°Never again!¡±


    ¡°Never again,¡± Mikk echoed.


    ¡°No more being perfect!¡±


    ¡°No more.¡±


    ¡°Way to go Elise!¡± Nick said. ¡°What are we cheering for?¡±


    Elise smiled at Mikk and walked back to the table with him. ¡°The beginning of new era.¡±


    ¡°Sounds poetic,¡± King Henrik said.


    ¡°It sounds wonderful,¡± Elise said. ¡°Oh, Mikk?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±

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    ¡°I will be sending a Treasury Department employee to retrieve the gold.¡±


    Mikk¡¯s lips twitched in amusement. ¡°I cannot funnel it into my budget?¡±Advertisement


    ¡°It¡¯s not allowed. No matter how I love you, dear brothers, your budgets are mine.¡±


    ¡°Hear that, Falk? Even if you marry her, you¡¯ll still be paying through the nose,¡± Nick said, elbowing his younger brother.


    ¡°Shut up, Nick.¡±


    ¡°So cruel to your big brother. Gerhie, stop writing and start drinking. This is a celebration!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that!¡±


    News spread fast and far of Queen Clotilde¡¯s defeat. The celebration lasted three days and three nights before the royal family divvied out duties to mop up the mess Clotilde made of the country in a few short months.


    Rune, Nick, and Mikk set out with the army to clear the lands of all the monsters that flocked to Arcainia in their absence. Falk and Erick set out to take inventory of the lands and crops, hoping to plant winter crops to make up for the poor harvest.


    Gerhart and Steffen accompanied Gabrielle to her lands, Carabas, to see what could be done with the remains of the harbor.


    Elise was the only royal child to remain behind in Castle Brandis, reinstating customs that Clotilde abolished (public lunches and breakfasts were the first thing Elise restored) and holding the central government together with King Henrik.


    She cleared out Clotilde¡¯s quarters, sold all the luxury goods the vile queen bought, and reinstated officials to their previous positions.


    When the dust settled, King Henrik met Elise for tea to discuss the country¡¯s future.


    ¡°Even though she¡¯s gone, we may still be ruined,¡± King Henrik said, his mouth a grim line on his face. Much of his youthfulness was restored to him, but there were new lines on his forehead and around his mouth.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°It is like Clotilde¡¯s specter still hangs over us. With all of her wild spending and unbalanced use of magic, it seems she was doing her best to break the country to pieces. Although we wrestled it out of her control, there is only so much we can do. Your brothers have brilliantly managed their departments, but no country could bear what we have without going heavily into debt,¡± King Henrik said. ¡°If only I weren¡¯t such a fool! If I hadn¡¯t let her grip my mind¡­¡±


    Elise placed a comforting hand on top of King Henrik¡¯s fist. ¡°There is something you need to see, Father. Come,¡± she said, leading the way out of her office.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± King Henrik said, following Elise out of the Treasury Department¡¯s offices.


    ¡°Do you remember when you first gave me control of the Treasury Department?¡± Elise asked, glancing over her shoulder.


    ¡°I do. You were barely fifteen, but the timing was too perfect to pass up as the previous department head announced his retirement.¡±


    ¡°Everyone thought you were mad for giving me such a responsibility,¡± Elise said.


    King Henrik smiled fondly. ¡°Ingrid approved. So did Steffen and the rest of your foster brothers.¡±


    ¡°They did,¡± Elise said as they walked to a more heavily patrolled, well-guarded section of the castle. ¡°And so did the previous department head. He stayed on for a summer to teach and mentor me before setting me loose to bargain and bully my brothers and their respective departments.¡±


    ¡°Foster brothers,¡± King Henrik said, a smile creasing his lips.


    ¡°The Treasury Department was my dream post. I was thrilled when you assigned it to me. I¡¯ve always liked numbers, and it greatly assured me of the esteem and trust you¡ªand Mother¡ªplaced in me,¡± Elise said, leading the way through a squad of guards.


    ¡°Of course,¡± King Henrik said.


    Elise stopped outside a large, metal door.


    There were two guards posted on either side of the door, but their presence meant very little. No one could get in without the key.


    Elise slipped the key off her red sash and slid it in the oddly shaped lock. She let go of the key, which glowed. Something in the door clicked, and the metal door rolled away.


    ¡°Like everything else I do, I did my absolute best at running the Treasury Department,¡± Elise said, removing the key and stepping inside the treasury.


    Inside the room were mountains of gold. It cascaded off the walls in flat coins and was stacked in corners in solid bars. There were certificates of debt from other countries that Elise had bought up, priceless jewels, mountains of foreign currency, and blocks of precious stones like jade, amber, and emerald lined up in solid squares that were taller than Elise.


    Elise and King Henrik could only take several steps into the room, it was so crowded with gold and coins.


    As the only possessor of the treasury key, Elise knew King Henrik hadn¡¯t set foot in the treasury in years, so she delighted in his awe.

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    ¡°Clotilde¡¯s antics will not break us. They will make a dent, but nothing I cannot recover with a few thrifty seasons,¡± Elise said, her smile soft and affectionate as she watched her father.


    King Henrik shook his head as he stared at the fathomless wealth. ¡°I knew you were doing a good job managing our finances, else Steffen would have said something. But this¡­ I never expected.¡±Advertisement


    Elise¡¯s smile grew indulgent as she strolled up to her Father and placed her head on his shoulder. ¡°So you will stop blaming yourself?¡±


    King Henrik linked his arms around Elise. ¡°Your vast wealth does not change the fact that what I allowed to happen is unforgiveable.¡±


    ¡°But it is,¡± Elise said. ¡°The one thing this wretched trial has taught me is that love covers a multitude of sins. Please, Father. I can¡¯t stand to hear you blame yourself. Forgive yourself.¡±


    King Henrik¡¯s shoulders heaved. ¡°Alright, my darling. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Elise said, linking arms with King Henrik as they turned to leave the treasury.


    King Henrik glanced over his shoulder at the glittering wealth. ¡°No wonder your brothers always hated budgeting with you. Nick complains bitterly that you make him itemize everything, and Falk always muttered you stole the royal profits and had unrealistic monetary return expectations for him.¡±


    ¡°Of course. If he wanted money for agricultural research the expected return had to make it worth it,¡± Elise said with a mad grin.


    ¡°They don¡¯t deserve you, you know,¡± King Henrik said.


    ¡°Who?¡± Elise asked, locking the treasury door.


    ¡°Rune and Falk. Falk is too dense for you, and Rune has the shrewdness of a snake,¡± King Henrik said.


    ¡°It warms my bones to see how you recommend your sons,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Naturally, you always were my favorite,¡± King Henrik said, his voice rumbling with laughter. ¡°So which one will you choose?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m giving them an equal chance right now,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°Just be careful not to give any lad besides the two of them too much attention,¡± King Henrik said.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Falk spent years toady-ing up to Mikk so as to use his army of sneaks, and Rune is the country¡¯s best warrior,¡± King Henrik said.


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t¡­¡± Elise said.


    King Henrik studied the ceiling. ¡°They might have already.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    King Henrik laughed and patted Elise¡¯s hand. ¡°No matter. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be happy no matter which one you choose. They¡¯re good lads.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Father.¡±


    ¡°Of course, my darling daughter.¡±


    As father and daughter strolled arm in arm, Elise thought of more ways to squeeze money from Falk¡¯s agricultural ventures¡ªespecially now that she suspected she would be able to use her feminine charm to her advantage.


    King Henrik, meanwhile, grew misty eyed over the thought that in several years he would very likely be walking in a similar manner with his daughter, only then it would be down the aisle of a cathedral.


    King Henrik knew Elise was dedicated to her work, but he also knew she was a creature of steadfast love and loyalty. It wouldn¡¯t be long before her heart decided between Falk and Rune. He didn¡¯t know for sure, but King Henrik suspected he knew who she would choose¡­..


    If you believe Elise grows to love Rune, click HERE. If you believe Elise grows to love Falk, click HERE.


    Falk


    After Clotilde was defeated, it took three weeks for loneliness to set in Elise¡¯s heart and two days for her to correctly identify the feeling.


    The idea that she was lonely seemed ludicrous. After all, she could speak as much as she wanted, and her brothers were no longer available to her for only a single hour of each day but at all times. Yes, Brida was not her near-constant companion, but the two frequently shared meals together. Moreover, as a result of the Clotilde fiasco, Elise had grown closer to her brothers, Father, and even Gabrielle¡ªwhose friendship she greatly enjoyed.


    But still, the loneliness plagued her.


    It would hit her at odd times, like when she was alone in her office in the evening hours. She would reach for a soft, feathery body that wasn¡¯t there. Sometimes when taking tea, she saved a crust of bread and would turn to give it to¡­nothing.


    The only logical conclusion was that Elise missed Falk¡¯s constant presence, an outcome Elise did not want to dwell on much less recognize.


    ¡°¡ªDid you even use the paste while I was gone? Your hands are puffy. You¡¯ve been working too much again. Your hands will not heal if you don¡¯t rest them,¡± Falk said as he rubbed Elise¡¯s hands with a costly lotion he purchased while traveling with Erick. ¡°It¡¯s been weeks since you last picked up a nettle, and your hands still haven¡¯t healed.¡±


    Yes, Elise really didn¡¯t want to recognize it.


    ¡°Are you even listening to me?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Elise said, internally disgusted with herself. How could she miss this?


    ¡°No, you aren¡¯t. Or your hands wouldn¡¯t be so horribly abused. Open your mouth.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±

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    ¡°Just do it.¡±


    Elise obeyed. She almost wretched when Falk popped a spoonful of bitter liquid in her mouth. She swallowed the concoction, but held her stomach as she produced gagging noises. ¡°What was that?¡±Advertisement


    ¡°Medicine. It will strengthen and fortify you.¡±


    ¡°I feel plenty fortified already, thank you. Couldn¡¯t you have done anything about the taste? It¡¯s like I swallowed mud a pig pooped and rolled in,¡± Elise said, wiping her mouth.


    ¡°Here,¡± Falk said, passing Elise a mug.


    Elise eyed the contents and sniffed it.


    ¡°It¡¯s water,¡± Falk said, his voice wry.


    Elise cautiously took a sip to assure herself that it was indeed water before gulping it down, anxious to wash away the bitter medicine. ¡°That was awful,¡± she said when she finished.


    Falk expressively raised his eyebrows but said nothing as he arranged his clay pots and glass bottles.


    Elise raised a hand to inspect it. ¡°I think my hands look better. They don¡¯t hurt anymore, and the welts are mostly gone.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but they¡¯re flushed and discolored, and you have quite a bit of scarring,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°Thank you for trying to make them look better,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I think there is nothing wrong with them. They are beautiful,¡± Falk said, his words peppered with a frown.


    Elise ruefully shook her head. ¡°In no way are my hands beautiful.¡±


    ¡°They are. They are a visible symbol of your love and the sacrifice you made to free us,¡± Falk said.


    ¡°If they¡¯re so symbolic, why do you plague me with your horrible medicines?¡±


    ¡°Because you are ashamed.¡±


    Elise¡¯s heart leaped into her throat. ¡°What?¡±


    Falk tossed a rag on a nearby workbench. ¡°You hide your hands whenever possible, and you wore gloves at that atrocious celebration our family threw. You do not like showing people your wounds. Which is a shame. It¡¯s no different than Nick or Rune¡¯s battle scars. It is something you should be proud of.¡±


    Elise stared at Falk.


    ¡°What?¡± the goldenrod haired prince said as he started rolling bandages.


    ¡°I was thinking it might make sense after all.¡±


    ¡°Of course it makes sense.¡±


    ¡°No, not my hands. Just¡ªI¡¯ve missed you. For the life of me I couldn¡¯t figure out why.¡±


    ¡°You certainly know how to give a compliment.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I missed your constant presence, but we would drive each other crazy if we were together all day long,¡± Elise blurted out, saying things she didn¡¯t mean to say.


    ¡°How you warm my heart with your gentle sentiments.¡±


    ¡°But what I really missed was you, not your physical proximity, but you.¡±


    Falk put the bandages aside. ¡°What about me is there to miss? I scare your subordinates; I¡¯m antisocial, and I accidentally say mean things if one goes by Rune¡¯s hefty grasp of the subject.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re thoughtful,¡± Elise said, sliding off her stool. ¡°You watch me, and you understand why I do things. You get why I keep our budgets tight, and why I am on a crusade to expand trade. You don¡¯t let me run reckless, doing whatever I want. You lecture me if I¡¯m in the wrong, and you see the best in me.¡±


    ¡°Elise,¡± Falk said, his tone worried.


    ¡°But it¡¯s not just about me. You¡¯re also clever and witty. And yes, I would be remiss if I did not mention you are handsome. But above all, you are thoughtful and gentle.¡±


    ¡°Elise. Please, don¡¯t,¡± Falk said, his voice just above a whisper.


    ¡°Don¡¯t what?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me hope.¡±


    The words were like an open chasm between them. They startled Elise. ¡°Why not? Why not, if what I say is the truth?¡±


    ¡°Because you don¡¯t love me, not the way I love you,¡± Falk said.


    Elise weighed his words. Did she really just see Falk as her foster brother? She didn¡¯t think so.


    She loved Steffen, but being with him didn¡¯t make her speak carelessly. She knew Gerhart was quite handsome, but she was never struck by his looks. Rune was¡­Rune was her hero. But she didn¡¯t miss him the way she missed Falk. Things had changed since the night Elise and Falk discussed their relationship in the freezing waters of Lake Sno.


    No, Elise certainly didn¡¯t see Falk as a foster brother, and she still loved him. So there was only one conclusion to make. ¡°But I do.¡±


    ¡°You do what?¡± Falk said, his eyes scrunched shut as he rubbed his forehead.


    ¡°I love you,¡± Elise said, as if they were discussing line items in the Agriculture Department¡¯s budget.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you,¡± Falk said.


    Elise winced. ¡°After saying the same thing to you on numerous occasions I suppose I deserved that.¡±

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    ¡°Even though Father will leave the decision up to you, you will marry for the better of the country if Rune can¡¯t win you over.¡±


    Elise narrowed her eyes. ¡°That¡¯s true; I forgot the financial aspect. Well, if you want to marry me, we will have to make sacrifices. Financial ones. I won¡¯t marry until Arcainia is back on track, and Carabas harbor is opened. But we¡¯re crafty. We will manage. We¡¯ll just have to increase our agricultural exports.¡±Advertisement


    Falk blinked. ¡°I recognize I¡¯m not the most social man, but I am certain most women don¡¯t consider budgets and line items when talking about love.¡±


    ¡°Why not? You love me; I love you. That seems pretty settled,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°This is completely unromantic. Even I recognize it,¡± Falk grumbled.


    ¡°Falk,¡± Elise said, stepping close enough to take his hand. ¡°We are just getting over defeating a wicked witch. I spent the summer saving you and your brothers, and you spent the summer guarding me and looking for ways to ease my pain. As far as I¡¯m concerned, there was a cloud of dramatic tension and love hanging over our head for the past season. I welcome a clear-cut business goal to work towards that will also bring me personal happiness.¡±


    ¡°I still don¡¯t believe you,¡± Falk said, his head tipped as he looked down at her.


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Elise said before sliding her arm behind Falk¡¯s neck and standing on her tip-toes so she could kiss him. She blushed heavily as their lips met.


    Falk was so stunned, he did not respond for several seconds. Then he wrapped his arms around Elise, cradling her close.


    ¡°This is your last chance to back out, Elise. I love you. If you return my love, I will never let you go, and I will drive this country forward until you feel we can marry,¡± Falk said, his voice hoarse.


    ¡°I¡¯ve made my choice, Falk. I love you,¡± Elise said.


    Falk¡¯s look of joy took Elise¡¯s breath away. His eyes went soft, and his lips crept into a roguish grin as he traced Elise¡¯s jaw with his fingertips. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, his lips brushing her forehead.


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me yet. We have to tell Father.¡±


    ¡°And Steffen.¡±


    ¡°And Rune. That one I will have to take care of, alone. You cannot rub this in his face.¡±


    ¡°You forget, Sweetness, out of all my brothers I am the one most likely to empathize with him,¡± Falk said before laying another kiss on Elise.


    This was never a future Elise had considered, and in some ways it was exactly what Elise expected. She would marry a member of nobility who was highly influential in a government department. Working jointly, they could take their departments to new heights. But even in her most fanciful dreams, Elise never thought her husband would love her as deeply as Falk did. She never imagined kisses as passionate and tingling as the ones Falk gave her. She never dreamed she would love her husband with a matching passion.


    So no, it wasn¡¯t exactly what Elise had planned. It was a thousand times better.


    For the first time in months, perhaps since the death of Queen Ingrid, Elise looked forward to the future.


    When the new ambassador of Kozlovka took up his post in Arcainia, he complained to his predecessor. ¡°Arcainia is a small country; why must we bow and scrape to them?¡±


    The previous ambassador lifted his eyes to the heavens. ¡°You so closely resemble myself when I first arrived at the Arcainian court that it pains me. I will tell you what my predecessor told me: do our country a favor, and keep your mouth shut until you have a solid grasp of Arcainia¡¯s power.¡±


    ¡°I know plenty of Arcainia¡¯s power,¡± the new ambassador protested.


    ¡°You are the second son of a duke who is known for being a rake. Forgive me for my doubts,¡± the previous ambassador wryly said.


    The words stung the new ambassador of Kozlovka so much that he spent much of his first party in Arcainia sulking. ¡°I don¡¯t see what he¡¯s talking about,¡± he muttered. ¡°This court is a rag-tag spectacle. The royals are dressed no better than Mother¡¯s maid.¡±


    The country was pretty in an idealistic, cheerful song-bird sort of way. The ambassador of Kozlovka grudgingly admitted that the land was pretty and the subjects jolly, but the royals and the palace were a disgrace to behold. Why, the Crown Prince Steffen and his wife Princess Gabrielle were a handsome pair, dressed neatly in nice clothes, but there was no splendor. They did not drip with jewels or gold or expensive ornaments. The food was delicious but common, the castle was comfortable but not ornate. Even government employees were invited to the party, and they milled and conversed with Arcainian nobility without hesitation!


    The ambassador of Kozlovka felt like he was visiting the estate of a country lord rather than a palace. ¡°Disgraceful,¡± he muttered into his wine cup.

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    What surprised him was that an ambassador from every country on the continent was present. Not only were they attending, but many of them were acting oddly. The Loire ambassador was all smiles; the Sole representative laughed too loud, as if he was nervous; and the Verglas ambassador looked terrified.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± the ambassador of Kozlovka said when the Loire ambassador joined him in the corner he sulked in. ¡°Why do you bow to these royals? Surely your own estates are more luxurious than this,¡± he said, his mouth twisting with disdain.Advertisement


    The Loire ambassador blinked. ¡°Pardon?¡±


    The ambassador of Kozlovka gestured to the pretty but plain ballroom. ¡°This place is not at all grand. It¡¯s a small, backwater country worth little or no notice. Why do you play attendant to the royals?¡±


    ¡°I hope that they will give a favorable report to the Black Court, of course,¡± the Loire ambassador said.


    ¡°The what?¡±


    ¡°You mean you don¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know what?¡±


    The Loire ambassador shook his head. ¡°I do this because our countries have been allies for some time. This way,¡± he said, plunging into the crowds.


    The ambassador of Kozlovka followed the Loire ambassador through the crowds, until they reached the far side of the room. ¡°There,¡± the Loire ambassador said.


    The corner of the room was occupied by Prince Falk, the head of the Agriculture Department, and his wife of one year, Princess Elise, the chief of the Treasury Department. Prince Falk was the second youngest of the seven princes of Arcainia. Princess Elise was more widely known for the fact that she possessed a natural magic. It had been considered ¡®Shocking News¡¯ at the time of their marriage, but the ambassador of Kozlovka hadn¡¯t taken much note of it as the ¡®Shocking News¡¯ came from a small, unimportant country.


    ¡°That is Prince Falk and Princess Elise¡ªwhat of them?¡± the ambassador of Kozlovka asked as he watched the pair.


    Attendants danced around the prince and princess, and courtiers and ambassadors vied for the pair¡¯s attention. The royal couple seemed utterly entranced with each other, though, exchanging smiles and sharing quiet laughter.


    ¡°They are the Black Court,¡± the Loire ambassador said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Prince Falk manages Arcainia¡¯s agriculture industry which, in spite of being one of the smallest countries on the continent, is the largest exporter of crops and foods. Princess Elise manages the country¡¯s purse strings. Not a coin enters or leaves the country without her knowledge. Being that they export everything from fish to crops to meat, and they are one of the few countries that can grow winter crops like radishes, carrots, and winter wheat, as a result their trading business is booming. Every continent on the country has some sort of dealings with them, whether it be agricultural or financial,¡± the Loire ambassador said. ¡°If you anger one of them, you will find your country cut off from their exports, trade routes, and treasury services. If you make a good impression on them, they will be merciful to your country and keep prices low even though they have a monopoly on a large amount of goods.¡±


    ¡°That cannot be. If they are so powerful, the country must be rich. Why, then, is everything so plain?¡± The ambassador of Kozlovka said.


    The Loire ambassador shrugged. ¡°To save money, Princess Elise imposes strict rules on the family¡¯s conduct. They don¡¯t seem to mind; they would rather hoard or invest their wealth than live in luxury, or so Princess Elise said.¡±


    The ambassador of Kozlovka stared at the royal pair.


    Prince Falk said something and kissed Princess Elise¡¯s forehead, drawing a blush from the curly-haired princess.


    ¡°Prince Steffen will one day become King, and Princess Gabrielle the Queen, but it¡¯s these two who run the majority of trade. They are the merchant monarchs of the continent,¡± the Loire ambassador said.


    ¡°Aunt Elise!¡± a gold-haired toddler shrieked as she skirted through the crowd around Prince Falk and Princess Elise. ¡°Hide,¡± the toddler said, diving behind Elise¡¯s skirts.


    Seconds later, Prince Rune strolled past. ¡°Hmm, I thought I saw her go this way. Where is she? Oh Princess Ria, where are you?¡± Prince Rune asked, winking at Princess Elise as he crept closer to her.


    Those surrounding Prince Falk and Princess Elise backed up to watch the family spectacle.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Rune. I haven¡¯t seen her,¡± Princess Elise said.


    ¡°That¡¯s too bad. I should move on, unless she¡¯s here,¡± Prince Rune said, darting around Princess Elise to scoop up the giggling toddler.


    The princess shrieked as Prince Rune tickled her tummy.


    ¡°Practicing for the future?¡± Prince Falk asked, his hand resting on his wife¡¯s waist.

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    ¡°Perhaps, although my wife isn¡¯t due for a few more months and I hope¡ªouch¡ªour child is not so conniving,¡± Rune said, wrenching the toddler from him to make her release her grip his hair. ¡°There you go, Ria. Go find your mother,¡± he said, setting her back down.


    The crowd completely dispersed with the little girl¡¯s departure, but the ambassador of Kozlovka couldn¡¯t look away. It was astounding to him that a royal family so, so normal would be the financial power of the continent. He barely noticed when the Loire ambassador slapped him on the back and moved on.Advertisement


    ¡°As her father is Steffen and her mother is Gabrielle, Ria was statistically doomed to have a shrewd personality,¡± Prince Falk said. ¡°That being explained, you should probably begin to worry.¡±


    ¡°Falk,¡± Princess Elise said, smacking her husband in the belly.


    Prince Rune laughed good-naturedly. ¡°And what of you two? Think you¡¯ll be ready to unleash a child with your combined intelligence on the world?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Prince Falk said. ¡°But we won¡¯t, yet.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Prince Rune asked.


    ¡°All our investments are not at a point where I could think about being absent from work,¡± Princess Elise said. ¡°Carabas Harbor has been operational only for four years, and I mean to expand our wool industry.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s rather auspicious,¡± Prince Rune said.


    ¡°I will not rest until all acknowledge Arcainia¡¯s financial superiority,¡± Princess Elise said with a maniacal laugh, flexing her fingers as she grinned like a hungry wolf at the dancers and party attendees. She abruptly cut the expression short. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen Brida yet tonight. I¡¯m off to find her. You two enjoy yourselves,¡± Princess Elise said, kissing Prince Falk on the cheek before she swirled away.


    Prince Rune squinted as he watched her leave. ¡°Sometimes she frightens me.¡±


    Prince Falk sighed like a lovesick school boy. ¡°I just love that side of her.¡±


    Prince Rune eyed his brother. ¡°Allow me to amend that. Sometimes you both frighten me.¡±


    Prince Falk shrugged, and his eyes landed on the hapless ambassador of Kozlovka. ¡°What do you want?¡± he imperiously asked.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± the ambassador of Kozlovka said, swallowing.


    ¡°Humph,¡± Prince Falk said before turning his attention back to his brother. ¡°Elise received another letter from Prince Severin of Loire today.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t their exchanges bother you?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. I¡¯ve met his wife. Prince Severin isn¡¯t the type to stray, but if he did, she would butcher him. Anyway, he¡¯s wondering if he could send a few scholars to apprentice with Elise for a year or two.¡±


    As the princes drifted away, the ambassador of Kozlovka could no longer hear the conversation. He took the moment of silence to reconsider his thoughts on the royal family of Arcainia. He knew they were involved in the Shimmer Conflict, but every royal family on the continent was. Going beyond that knowledge he knew they were one of the countries that were struck first by a rogue magic user.


    He always thought it was sheer luck that had freed their country, but after witnessing the family interactions and name dropping for even a few minutes, it was abundantly clear to the ambassador of Kozlovka that Princess Elise and the royal family of Arcainia could handle any problem cast on their country.


    Rune


    Everything was burning.


    Elise¡¯s world was a wash of flames and heat. She wanted to cry out, she wanted to scream and howl in pain. But she couldn¡¯t.


    Clotilde was there, her death screams mixing with the roar of the hungry flames. Elise shut her eyes against the horrors, but she could feel the queen¡¯s papery skin under her hand as the witch expired, turned to dust by Elise¡¯s power.


    Soon Elise would join the queen, turned to ash by the blistering flames.


    Elise bolted upright, gasping for air and pushing her wild curls out of her face. ¡°It was only a dream,¡± Elise said to her silent room. ¡°I¡¯m not in Verglas, about to be burned. I¡¯m in Castle Brandis, in my room,¡± she said, her voice an audible reminder.


    Elise shivered and burrowed back under her blankets, chilled by more than the cool air.


    Besides the marked change in her relationship with her foster brothers, Elise¡¯s curse-breaking-witch-slaying adventures added another aspect to her life: nightmares.


    Elise knew Clotilde was evil, and she doubted anything but death would have ended her reign of terror, but the one-time queen¡¯s screams and the feel of ending her life haunted Elise in her sleeping hours.


    Just as bad were the nightmares of fire and burning. Between the two memories, Elise found it difficult to sleep to say the least.


    Elise closed her eyes only to be assaulted by the sight of King Torgen¡¯s mad, feverish eyes. His twisted laughter rang in her ears.

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    With a gasp Elise sat upright again. By the dying light of the fire, she pulled on a freshly laundered skirt over her nightclothes, and a thick robe. She slipped out of her room, taking care to shut the door without making a noise. Her room was surrounded by her brothers¡¯ quarters; if they knew she was up, they would fuss.


    Elise wrapped the robe tighter and made her way to the kitchens. Even at this late¡ªor early¡ªhour, a cook or two was sure to be up marinating meat or punching dough for breakfast. If she couldn¡¯t sleep, Elise would rather be in the cheerful, warm kitchen.Advertisement


    Elise was almost there when a familiar voice stopped her.


    ¡°Elise?¡± Rune said. He was dusty; his hair was mussed, and he had a fresh cut on his cheek. He was carrying a crossbow and quiver, but at the moment he looked concerned.


    ¡°Rune, welcome home. You¡¯re back sooner than expected,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I finished my dealings with the goblins during the morning and decided to push to come home rather than camp another night. What is wrong?¡± Rune asked.


    ¡°Nothing. I couldn¡¯t sleep,¡± Elise said, smiling to cover her partial truth.


    Rune set the crossbow and quiver down so he could shed his traveling cloak. ¡°That doesn¡¯t seem like you,¡± he said, brushing off the black ¡°hero¡± clothes he wore beneath the cape. Covered as they were, they were mostly spared from dust and debris.


    Elise shrugged. ¡°I thought a snack might help,¡± Elise said, glancing in the direction of the kitchens, although the thought of food made her green.


    Rune studied her in uncomfortable silence. ¡°Elise,¡± he finally said. ¡°You did the right thing. There was no other option; Clotilde had to be killed.¡±


    Elise winced, as though the words were a physical blow. ¡°How did you know?¡±


    ¡°I have had to kill before as well.¡±


    ¡°Does the memory ever go away?¡± Elise asked, staring at the hemline of her robe.


    ¡°Not entirely, no. It fades, but you will always remember. It¡¯s a good thing.¡±


    Elise looked up, confused. ¡°What? How?¡±


    ¡°It reminds you how precious life is, and it teaches you to be merciful,¡± Rune said, bridging the gap between them. ¡°But Elise, while the memory will stay with you, you cannot let your guilt condemn you.¡±


    ¡°But I killed her,¡± Elise shivered. ¡°Clotilde was a person, and I killed her.¡±


    Rune eased his arms around Elise and pulled her flush against his chest. She hid her face in his shoulder, letting hot tears spill down her cheeks.


    ¡°She was. Clotilde was human like you and I, but she made bad choices. She embraced darkness, and looked to make others suffer for her ambitions. The only way to stop her rampage was to kill her; it was the consequence of her actions. I am sorry you were forced to pay the price for even a part of her sins. Your actions were just, and you must accept and realize that, or she will win even in her death,¡± Rune said, smoothing Elise¡¯s hair away from her face.


    Elise said nothing, but took comfort in Rune¡¯s strength.


    ¡°Come,¡± Rune said after several moments, stepping back from Elise.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°To Mother¡¯s Salon,¡± Rune said, leading the way.


    The royal quarters of Castle Brandis were not by any means opulent. Besides their bedrooms, the royal family had few private rooms. One of the rare exceptions was a sitting room that was once upon a time used almost exclusively by Queen Ingrid for entertaining guests. It was now used mostly for family meetings as it was one of the few places that was not on office that could seat the family.


    Rune grabbed a torch from the wall and entered the salon, pausing to start a fire in the fireplace and to light several candles. When the room was adequately lit, Rune returned the torch to the hallway. ¡°Sit,¡± he said, indicating to a plush settee.


    After Elise sat, Rune eased in next to her, curling an arm around her shoulders. ¡°So, you¡¯re having nightmares?¡±


    Elise nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯s not unusual. I¡¯ve had the occasional nightmare since we returned,¡± Rune said, rubbing his eyes with his free hand.


    ¡°Of what?¡±


    ¡°You, in the fire.¡±


    Elise shivered and rested her head on Rune¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°My heart stopped when I turned human and realized you were among the flames,¡± Rune said, squeezing her shoulder. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever been so terrified.¡±


    ¡°Me, either,¡± Elise admitted, adjusting her head so it was pressed against Rune¡¯s chest rather than his shoulder. ¡°I didn¡¯t know if the shirts worked and the curse was really broken, or if you all were still swans. Thank you for saving me.¡±


    Rune dropped a kiss on Elise¡¯s head, making her blush to the roots of her hair. ¡°As long as I live, I will do everything in my power to rescue you¡ªwhether it be from mad kings or the mundane.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I am wild for you, Elise.¡± Rune brushed Elise¡¯s shoulder with his fingertips. ¡°I love you. This may not be the right time to mention it, and Steffen would gut me if he knew, but I don¡¯t know when I will get another chance to tell you.¡±

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    When Elise was silent, Rune persisted, ¡°Do you still doubt me? Can¡¯t you see my love in my actions for you?¡±


    ¡°I do,¡± Elise said. Even when on the run from a black witch, Rune had proven that his first concern was Elise in a million different ways. Furthermore, it wasn¡¯t just her physical wellbeing that concerned him, but her emotional state as well. Rune could tell when she was upset, like tonight, and he knew exactly what to say. But¡­ ¡°But you never treated me like a lady. You flirt and charm women everywhere you go. You have never flirted with me.¡±Advertisement


    ¡°Yes,¡± Rune agreed. ¡°Because I wanted to make it clear to you that I was not playing with you. I¡¯m not blind. I do not lead women on¡ªwhy do you think I call Brida Captain Meier?¡±


    ¡°She liked you?¡± Elise squawked.


    ¡°I picked up on it fairly quickly after it became apparent she had few feelings of kindness for you. Did you ever wonder why that was?¡±


    ¡°No. I assumed it was because my status as a fosterling.¡±


    ¡°Brida is a fair girl. She wouldn¡¯t dislike you because of that. No, she disliked you because of the way I treat you.¡±


    ¡°And how do you treat me?¡±


    ¡°The way a hero treats his lady love.¡±


    Elise whipped her head off Rune¡¯s chest to stare at him. His face was smooth with its seriousness.


    ¡°Who else do I offer to rescue and help at any time of the day? What other woman will I go charging across Arcainia for? What female besides you do I kiss¡ªnot even on the lips but on the hand and head? I escort no one to parties or dinners because I will not partner myself with anyone who is not you.¡±


    Elise stared at the fire. If she looked at Rune, she would bolt. The passion of his feelings both thrilled and frightened her. ¡°Who am I to evoke such emotions in you? You are a hero. I¡¯m nothing but an orphan¡ª,¡±


    Before she could say more, Rune pressed a finger against her lips. ¡°No, you are F¨¹rstin Elise, financial genius, savior of Arcainia, brave, loyal, and true. I chose you because of who you are, not your pedigree.


    ¡°You are so beautiful, and you don¡¯t know it¡ªor at least you don¡¯t believe it. And for the life of me, I will never understand why you continuously bind your glorious hair back,¡± Rune said, burying his hand in her wild hair.


    Elise closed her eyes and allowed herself to see the future she kept locked in the deepest part of her heart. More than marrying someone for the country, more than marrying someone who was a good person and kind, Elise wanted to marry someone who was passionate for her, and who would spend every day the rest of their lives proving that passion.


    Elise wanted to marry a hero.


    Elise would be happy with Rune if she could let go of her fears and doubts and allow herself to love him. But, could she do that?¡±


    ¡°Elise,¡± Rune whispered. ¡°I love you.¡±


    Before Elise could open her eyes, Rune kissed her. The kiss was very much like the heroic prince: true, controlled passion, and warm. This close to him, Elise could smell the outdoors and open road on him. Every part of her tingled, and Elise almost laughed.


    Oh, yes. She could easily give in and let herself love Rune.


    When Rune finally released her, Elise blinked to try and clear her head. ¡°Well. I don¡¯t think nightmares will be a problem for me tonight.¡±


    Rune chuckled until he processed what she said and broke it off. ¡°Wait, does that¡­?¡±


    Elise avoided her eyes and felt her cheeks burn. ¡°I love you, too, Rune.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Truly.¡±


    Rune bolted to his feet and scooped Elise up, laughing as he twirled her in the air.


    ¡°Keep it down. Our family is sleeping,¡± Elise chided, or tried to. Rune¡¯s laughter was infectious, and soon, she was laughing as well.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Let them wake up. You have made me the happiest of men,¡± Rune said, still holding Elise aloft.


    The salon door swung open, revealing Steffen in his robe. His hair stuck up at odd angles, and his face was squished like a troll¡¯s. ¡°Rune, what are you doing to Elise?¡± Steffen said, his voice calm.


    ¡°Elise said she loves me,¡± Rune said as he set Elise on her feet.


    ¡°How wonderful for you. If that is the case, what are you two doing in a room together, this late at night, unchaperoned?¡± Steffen said.


    Elise and Rune exchanged guilty glances.


    Steffen shuffled into the room and grabbed Rune by the collar of his shirt. ¡°I am going to leash you. You will not be unchained until after you two are married¡ªwhich won¡¯t be for many years¡ªas I cannot trust you not to paw my baby sister. Say goodnight, Rune,¡± Steffen said, dragging Rune out of the room.


    ¡°Steffen,¡± Rune said, tripping along behind their older brother. He gave Elise, who followed in their wake, a wry smile.


    Elise giggled and, unseen by Steffen, took Rune¡¯s hand and squeezed it. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in the morning,¡± she said.


    ¡°Good night, Elise,¡± Rune said, his eyes soft with the promise of love and happiness.


    ¡°Good night, Rune,¡± Elise said, scarcely less happy and full of love.

 Page 90

    ¡°If you do not muzzle yourself, Rune, I will find a kennel for you,¡± Steffen said.


    Elise stifled another peal of laughter as she left the brothers and darted into her bedroom.Advertisement


    Clotilde¡¯s presence and King Torgen¡¯s games were a foul chapter of her life, but there was no reason to let them spoil the rest of her days.


    One day, she and Rune would marry¡ªalthough Steffen was right, it would not be for a handful of years. Elise wanted to get the country back on its feet, its financial power restored, and Carabas harbor opened before she married. She had no doubts Rune wouldn¡¯t agree to the waiting¡ªhe had patiently waited for years to tell her his feelings, after all.


    She would have to tell Falk. She didn¡¯t look forward to this, he would be hurt. However, Elise knew her antisocial foster-brother had a warm heart. He would learn to love another.


    Elise had made her choice. Rune would be her true love from now until she died. The hero and the banker was something of an odd combination, but¡ªElise realized with a start¡ª perhaps she was a hero, too.


    Either way, it didn¡¯t matter. Rune chose Elise, and Elise chose Rune. For the first time in months, perhaps since the death of Queen Ingrid, Elise looked forward to the future.


    ¡°You may tell Advisor Withold that I will certainly take his advice under consideration, but the return on investment of a merchant fleet hardly seems worth it when we can tax our country¡¯s imports and exports, saving us the expense of building and outfitting ships and stimulating our economy by investing in diverse merchants,¡± Elise said as she marched down a hallway, scribes and couriers scrambling at her side.


    ¡°B¡ªbut Princess,¡± the scribe protested.


    ¡°Furthermore, we have a Navy to complete. Three more ships are being built as we speak. It seems silly to build merchant ships when we already have a flotilla of boats,¡± Elise frowned.


    ¡°Princess, your brother wishes to speak with you,¡± a new courier said, jostling in the crowd.


    ¡°Which one?¡± Elise asked.


    ¡°Crown Prince Steffen.¡±


    Elise sucked in air through clenched teeth. ¡°No. No, that is too bad. Tell Steffen that no, I will not be the master of ceremonies for the anniversary celebration of Clotilde¡¯s defeat. It¡¯s tacky.¡±


    ¡°But the people, Princess, they long to honor you,¡± the courier wheedled.


    ¡°They can honor Captain Meier, or Gabrielle, or her cat. They did just as much as I did,¡± Elise said, adjusting the red sash of her customary work uniform.


    ¡°Princess,¡± the courier protested.


    ¡°Princess Elise,¡± a young page boy shouted at the top of his lungs as he skidded into the hallway. ¡°Princess Elise!¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± Elise asked, directing her gaze to the small boy. This shift of attention earned the young boy many glares from the scribes and couriers.


    ¡°He¡¯s home!¡±


    ¡°Rune is?¡±


    ¡°Yes! He¡¯s just arrived at the stables.¡±


    The scribes and couriers groaned, knowing their lady well enough to predict what would happen next.


    ¡°Thank you, Wulf,¡± Elise said to the young boy as she lifted her skirts several inches off the ground. ¡°If you will excuse me, ladies, gentlemen,¡± Elise said before she, in a most undignified and certainly not Perfect Princess fashion, ran down the hallway.


    Elise tore through the castle, dodging maids and footmen. She flung herself into an open air corridor and cut across the gardens, slipping through a gap in the hedge that walled the gardens in. She skidded into the castle grounds just as Rune left the stables. He was dusty and dirty from traveling and camping in the woods, but Elise never thought him more handsome.


    ¡°Rune!¡± Elise said, throwing herself at him.


    Rune, who was carrying several saddle bags, dropped his load and swept Elise up in a whirling bundle of skirts and laughter. He laid a solid kiss on Elise¡¯s lips that was so long, the servants in the area clapped and catcalled.


    Elise hid her blushing face in Rune¡¯s shoulder as Rune laughed and held her close. ¡°I will never grow tired of returning home to you. It almost makes the separation worth it,¡± Rune said, tugging the ribbon that held Elise¡¯s hair in a low ponytail until it released, spilling her wild curls about her shoulders.


    ¡°I am glad you are home,¡± Elise said, recovering enough to smile.


    Rune kissed the palm of her hand before he adjusted the beautiful engagement ring on her finger. ¡°And I am glad to be home. Only two months,¡± he said before he threw the saddle bags over one arm and twined his free arm around Elise. ¡°Any trouble with the wedding plans?¡±


    ¡°Falk has been crusading against the cook to convince us to serve pilaf at the banquet. He thinks we can hook the foreign guests on the taste and increase our rice exports,¡± Elise said.


    Rune sighed. ¡°I almost wish you hadn¡¯t introduced him to that little secretary minion of the Commerce Department. Since those two started courting he¡¯s been nagging me to crack down on monsters to create safer trade routes for food exports.¡±

 Page 91

    ¡°There¡¯s more: Gabrielle¡¯s belly has exploded,¡± Elise said.


    ¡°I thought she wasn¡¯t due for three months?¡±Advertisement


    ¡°She is, but according to her, their baby has the same fat head as his father and is going to be quite large. She fears she will have to be wheeled down the aisle,¡± Elise said as they entered the castle together.


    ¡°What does Steffen have to say of that?¡±


    ¡°Not much. Gabrielle has banned him from speaking of their baby in her presence. Apparently he has been hovering, and she grows tired of it. Last time she hefted herself into a saddle for a horse ride, Steffen suggested it wouldn¡¯t be good for the baby.¡±


    ¡°What did she do?¡±


    ¡°She threw Puss at him.¡±


    Rune winced. ¡°Ouch.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. But I don¡¯t think he will question her activities again,¡± Elise said, a mischievous grin twitching across her lips.


    ¡°That¡¯s probably¡ªmy word, what is that?¡± Rune asked, almost dropping his saddlebags again when they entered the portrait gallery. He stared at several giant monstrosities of art and embroidery. Hung on the walls were tapestries and life-sized paintings of Elise and Rune. Instead of being the typical portraits, each piece had Rune battling some kind of monster, usually wearing a gaudy set of armor or brandishing a shining sword, and Elise at his side, glowing and wielding magic like a top-notch enchantress.


    ¡°Oh, yes,¡± Elise frowned. ¡°Steffen has decided since we are marrying, together we can be the perfect public relations image for our subjects to rally under. He means to portray us as some kind of heroic duo with you as the monster killer and me as a magic user. Since I killed Clotilde, our ¡®image¡¯ has reached new heights of admiration from the commoners. Steffen wants to make the most of our marriage.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fitting,¡± Rune said, looking at the various pieces of art. ¡°He¡¯s gone all out, hasn¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°It just about killed him that we had to downplay my magic before the Shimmer Conflict,¡± Elise wryly said.


    This time Rune did drop his saddlebags again and pulled Elise into a close embrace. ¡°It was to keep you safe.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no longer something to worry about,¡± Elise said, listening to the steady thud of Rune¡¯s heart.


    ¡°I cannot wait for our future together,¡± Rune said, entwining his hands with Elise¡¯s before kissing her. ¡°I love you. I missed you,¡± Rune said, resting his forehead against hers.


    ¡°I love you, too.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to live happily ever after,¡± Rune said.


    ¡°As the Monster Killer and Magic Tamer.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes I think our epic combination is the only reason Steffen agreed to our marriage,¡± Rune said.


    Elise chuckled and picked up one of Rune¡¯s saddlebags. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what Steffen thinks. It¡¯s what we feel that makes the difference.¡±


    Rune gathered the rest of his saddle bags. ¡°Two months. I cannot wait,¡± he said, entangling his free hand in Elise¡¯s wild curls before leaning in to kiss her.


    The kiss went on for several moments until a door to the portrait gallery opened.


    ¡°Rune, you¡¯re home¡ªhey! You get your paws off my sister,¡± Nick shouted from the far end of the room.


    Rune ended the kiss, but leaned his forehead against Elise¡¯s and sighed. ¡°Two months,¡± he repeated in a long-suffering tone.


    Elise giggled.


    ¡°What are you doing? Stop giggling. I said, what are you doing? Mikk! The love-birds are at it again; we¡¯ve got to stop Rune!¡± Nick said before he ran at Elise and Rune like a mad bull.


    ¡°I would like to see you try,¡± Rune said, bracing for impact.


    ¡°No, let¡¯s run,¡± Elise said, grabbing Rune by the arm and pulling him along.


    ¡°Stop! I¡¯ll tell Father you¡¯re eloping,¡± Nick said as he tore after Rune and Elise.


    Rune stopped running. ¡°That¡¯s a great idea,¡± he said, his face serious.


    ¡°What? No! Mikk!¡± Nick roared.


    Elise almost tripped, she was laughing so hard as she and Rune fled the portrait gallery and ran.


    Marrying her personal hero was a happily ever after Elise had never dared to hope for. Being fully embraced by the royal family¡ªfor now she really would be her foster brothers¡¯ sister¡ªwas a dream come true.


    There was a chance a creature like Clotilde would surface again, but with her fierce husband and her wonderful family, Elise thought there was nothing they couldn¡¯t handle.