Ambrose opened his mouth. Closed it.
“Fine,” he said tightly. “Just follow my lead, do what I say, and we’ll be safe.”
Imelda scowled.Follow my lead?As if she hadn’t proven last night that she was perfectly capable of defending herself, saving him, and even detecting when there was trouble on the horizon? If he had just trusted her the moment she said that the innkeeper struck her as creepy, they wouldn’t even be in this state.
“As you command, my king,” she muttered.
***
Gleaming sunshine sifted through the trees, and pollen spangled the air like golden dust. Birds the color of gemstones alighted on sunlit branches, and the world seemed drenched with wonder and possibility.
But one wouldn’t know that the way Ambrose acted.
Every time they crossed over a tree’s shadow, he looked likely to jump.
“Careful,” he said. “There might be bears.”
“If therearebears, I highly doubt you standing half a foot away from me solves anything.”
“I’m trying to protect you. The last thing we want is one of those beasts chasing after us. If that happens, how, exactly, would I keep you safe?”
“One, that really isn’t your responsibility,” Imelda said, annoyed. “Andtwo, if you’re truly that concerned, then simply don’t run as fast as me. We don’t have to outrun a bear, you know. One of us just has to present it with a more easily accessible supper.”
“Very funny, Imelda.”
Though the woods were far from treacherous, there was still no sign of another road.
And if they didn’t find it, they’d fail the witch’s task, and Imelda would end up right where she started: trapped in her father’s kingdom.
Imelda threw up her hands. “Maybe we should just turn back around, take our chances with the cannibals—”
“Are you looking for a road?” an unfamiliar voice cut in.
IT’S A BEAR!the horse cloak squealed.
A wide shadow seeped out from the space between two trees. There was the sound of crunching leaves and branches broken underfoot. Ambrose moved closer to her, holding his sword aloft. Imelda desperately wished she had a weapon, but she didn’t, and it was now far too late to reach for an extra heel tucked into that walnut bag.
“You looking for a road?”
Imelda’s heartbeat ratcheted up as something stepped out from between the creatures. Not a person at all, but a long…lean…
“Skunk?” she ventured aloud.
The creature glared. It was about knee-height, standing on its back paws, and the color of charcoal, with a bright-pink nose and a strip of white fur that ran down its back and tail.
“Honey badger, actually. The name’s Charming.”
“Seems like a name more suited to a prince than a badger,” Imelda observed.
Charming grinned, and Imelda noticed that the creature’s teeth were needle sharp.
“What a unique joke. So, uh, listen. I hear you’re lookin’ for a road.”
“No we’re not,” Ambrose said quickly.
“Yeswe are,” Imelda said.
Ambrose threw Imelda a warning look.
