Owen would be, for sure. He practically lives in the library.
She glanced at the swan in question, who also bobbed his head in the swan version of a nod.
But…this is Jacques. He’s always been the instigator behind the pranks. This could just be another one of his tricks, another way for them to prove just how little they want me here. Or.She swallowed.Maybe they’ve changed their minds.
The moment seemed to stretch on forever as she looked at her stepsons. They were each watching her expectantly, waiting for some outcome that she wasn’t sure she wanted.
“I want to trust you,” she finally whispered brokenly into the stillness of the night. “I want to believe that this isn’t just a cruel joke, and that you do actually want to help. But if it’s not…if I let myself believe that you actually care, only for you to laugh in my face when it turns out to be another prank…” Her voice cracked, and she swallowed against the hard lump in her throat before she could continue. “If it’s another prank, I don’t think my heart could handle it, and I don’t know what it would do to the magic. I can’t risk it—not when we’re so close.”
Jacques ruffled his wings and honked, the sound sad and muted, and waddled over, laying his head into her lap. One by one, each of the princes came, some nudgingher affectionately with their beaks, others stretching out their necks for awkward swan hugs.
Corbin was the last one to approach. He stilled suddenly, hissing at something behind her as Lindy registered the sound of something heavy moving closer through the trees. She jumped to her feet and spun around just as a round, black bear came charging out of the forest at a loping run. She screamed.
In a flurry of angry honks and hisses, the swans all converged upon the bear, who very quickly decided that the promise of a quick meal was not worth the trouble of fighting through seven angry, strangely aggressive birds. It turned and lumbered off into the shadows.
Lindy stood shaking for several long moments after, allowing the rush of adrenaline to subside. The swans returned to her like proud warriors coming home after battle, and she laughed rather hysterically as she sank back down to the ground, whispering, “Thank you.”
Jacques picked up one of the flowers and dropped it in her lap again, and she gave in, crushing the stem to allow the slimy, watery sap to run out and rubbing the liquid into the back of her hands, smiling at him gratefully when the itching lessened a few minutes later.
She laid back, scooching back just far enough that her feet were clear of the lake water, and stretched out. The stars were bright in the sky above, and she traced the familiar constellations as the princes settled themselves to sleep around her.
“I never thought I could replace your mother,” she said softly, speaking out loud the words that she wished she had the courage to say to themwhen she first arrived. “I didn’t want to try. And I know I can’t fully understand the pain that losing your father caused, I do know what it’s like to feel alone. To wish for the one person to return that you can never see again.” Master Pickering’s face filled her mind, along with the familiar ache of grief. “So I just want to say…I’m sorry.”
She didn’t expect to hear any answers breaking the silence of the night, but the stillness that surrounded her was one of peace rather than tension. Exhausted by the events of the evening, she drifted off to sleep, dreaming of feathered heroes and gentle giants who would carry her away into the clouds.
Chapter Eleven
LINDY
“Lindy!” Atlas’s panicked voice roused her from pleasant dreams, drawing her back into the disappointing reality of curses and power-hungry guards. “Lindy, where are you?”
“Here.” She sat up, disturbing the princes, who grunted in annoyance. She rubbed her bleary eyes against her arm. “Did you find Phoebe?”
A disgruntled honk answered her, as did Atlas. “I have her. But we need to get back as soon as possible.”
Lindy was already on her feet at the worry in his voice. “What happened?”
“Elise was arrested this evening.”
“What?Why? On what grounds?” She started shoving all of the completed shirts into her pillowcase bag.
“Haldrick claims that he has evidence proving that she assisted you in getting rid of the princes. The trial is set for tomorrow morning, but they were already building a pyre.”
Ice shot through her veins. She froze, mid-shove. “Why?”
“Whispers are that they’re going to burn her at the stake. Haldrick is already convinced of her guilt, and he wants to make a public spectacle.”
The swans all burst into a noisy cacophony of honks and flapping wings. Phoebe, a tiny white goose who looked even smaller in Atlas’s large hands, wriggled her way out of his hold and joined them.
Atlas held the bag open as she stuffed the sixth shirt inside. “We need to go. How close are you to finishing the last shirt?”
Lindy grimaced. “It’s still only half-finished. I’ll knit while I walk.”
He nodded. “Alright. We’ll take the road. It’s a little bit farther in distance than cutting through the forest, but you’ll be able to keep your feet better. We should still be able to get to the castle by sunrise if we leave now.”
She held up a hand as a sinking realization washed over her. “I’m going alone.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. No, you’re not.”
