“What do you want in return?” I asked, already knowing I wouldn’t like the answer.
“Don’t look so petrified, pet.” She clasped her hands together. “All I ask for is a wager.” At the confusion that must have clouded my face, she continued, “A wager that will make this endeavor of yours more… interesting.”
I frowned at the witch. It couldn’t be as simple as that. “What did you have in mind?”
“You will continue with your task, and, if you succeed, I will honor my word and undo the curse,” she said, sounding amused.
My mouth went dry. “And if I fail?”
“Should you fail, you will not return to Vantillios. You will spend the remainder of your days with me. Working for me.” She rested a marked hand on her chest.
“What?” I spluttered. “I can’t agree to that!”
“You can,” she said, taking a slow step towards me. “And you will, if you wish for your tail to remain a secret.”
Sweat beaded on my forehead. “No.” I shook my head vigorously. “I can’t. Isn’t there something else I can give you instead? Gold? Jewels?”
With a shake of her head she said, “There is nothing else. Take my offer or leave it.”
“My answer is no,” I said, my voice rising an octave.
She clicked her tongue disapprovingly. “Such little faith in your mortal. In yourself… Very well,” she sighed. “Shall I create a portal to return you to Vantillios now?”
I nodded absentmindedly. My head was roiling, muddying my thoughts while I struggled with the impossible decision placed before me.
If I didn’t agree to her terms, my legs would transform into my tail as surely as the sun would rise up and claim the sky. So yes, leaving now was the most sensible decision. I could return to Vantillios and live the remainder of my days as a failure. Remembered as the princess whoalmostfreed them of the curse. I would never get to explore the world, but at least I would be safe.
If I accepted the Crow’s terms and failed in my task, I would spend the remainder of my days working for her—whatever that meant.
But if I accepted her terms and succeeded, the curse would be undone. I would be free. Vantillios would be free. Mae would see her son again and Doran could be reunited with his first love—adventure.
The question was, did I have faith that Tarben could love me? He’d already confessed to having deep feelings for me.“It’s like every part of me wants to give in to this feeling. To you.”Could it be love? When I thought about how he had looked at me tonight, how he had held me, the answer seemed obvious.
But he was on his way to the border. Who knew how long he would be gone? If he stayed past the full moon, I’d be doomed.
On the other hand, if I returned to Vantillios now, wouldn’t I be dooming the entire kingdom to face a precarious future? I’d been so worried about winning my own freedom and bolstering my reputation that I hadn’t given much thought to what would happen to Vantillios if things continued the way they were. What kind of kingdom would be left for me to rule?
By removing the constraints keeping us isolated and caged, the kingdom could heal. It would be a slow process, but, eventually, it would return to its former glory. And it would all be thanks to me.
Was it worth the gamble? Perhaps it was when the odds were looking to be in my favor.
“Wait,” I said.
She canted her head. “I’m listening.”
I took a deep breath. “I will agree to your terms. If you can get the potion to me now.”
I could hear the smile in her voice as she said, “Consider it done. After you say the magic words, of course. Repeat after me, ‘Bound by name, I accept this amended bargain, to its terms I shall be beholden.’”
Squeezing my eyes shut and swallowing hard, I repeated the words that might be my undoing, then released a shuddering breath.
“Your potion is on its way,” she said gleefully.
Almost instantly, I heard a tapping against the window pane behind me. Pulling the drapes open, I recoiled at the sight that greeted me.
A crow hovered outside. The unmistakable vial of potion was clutched in its talons. Something about it looked off. Then I realized: there were punctures in its body and legs. Some feathers were missing from its disheveled plumage. It looked as thoughit had been attacked by a cat, and yet its black eyes remained hollow and lifeless. There was definitely something off about this bird.
I opened the window and the stench of death and decay filled the room. Covering my mouth and nose with one hand, I held the other out to the bird. Obediently, it released the potion into my open palm. Then the life fluttered out of its eyes, and it collapsed to the ground.
