“We’ll see,” says Prince Idris. He winks at me, and it’s so charming I can’t fault Rinka at all for wanting to keep him. “If anything happens, you’ll be the first to know.”
Princess Chloe steps in then to usher me out. I glance back in their direction as I leave, watch them relax as they stop holding their perfect poses. They look at peace with each other, absolutely content in a way I’ve seldom seen.
To pose as a courtier, to fraudulently present yourself as being above your station, is still a crime in this country, although it’s one that’s rarely prosecuted on its own. And yet I can’t imagine the pair in that room as criminals or schemers or fraudsters or anything more than two people deeply in love, doing what they have to in a world that hasn’t made things easy for them.
I hope, dear reader, that you’ll join me in getting to know them before passing judgment. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
“Well that went as well as it possibly could have,” said Willow. “No mention of magic, but the rest of it sounds like the story you told me. Did she include a note?”
Alison reached into the envelope once more.
My Dearest Alison,
Enclosed you’ll find our magazine debut as well as our response to your invitation. (Of course we’ll be coming! And I graciously accept your offer to be your Maid of Honor. Idris is a bit miffed he’s only to be the Best Manand not being asked to officiate, but I told him to get over himself.)
We’ll both be arriving in Wilderise shortly for the Solstice lighting. Then Idris will return to begin the spring term, but I’ll stay behind to help you plan for the big day. I hope you haven’t ordered your dress yet—I’m bringing along a stack of magazines with the latest fashions from Aunt Chloe and Ceri.
Give my love to Willow. I heard it through the grapevine that a certain canine is very excited to see her again.
All my love,
Rinka
Willow purred. “How nice of her to think of me. Is that everyone you invited?”
“Almost,” said Alison. “Nothing yet from Genn and Mab, although Aras wasn’t completely certain about his instruction to tuck the invitation into the hollow of a log. Maybe it never arrived.”
“What about the spriggan?”
Alison shook her head. She had gone into the forest on a warmer day the week before, but he wasn’t in his usual location, and she didn’t want to resort to the breaking of branches method to summon him. “I’ll try again the next time I head to town.”
“If you can even get into town. Those ‘lectric wirers are blocking half the roads. I’ve been stuck walking along the walls to get there.”
Alison didn’t point out how Willow had always preferred to walk along the wall. “It will be worth it in the end. The ‘lectric lights will be wonderful for the Solstice tree lighting. Didn’t you enjoy the ‘lectrics at the College? The ‘lectric can-opener?”
“Good point,” said Willow. “Speaking of—”
Alison smiled and headed into the kitchen to feed the cat. It would be a bit more effort with the manual can opener, but Willow deserved a treat.
She had earned it after all her hard work keeping Alison on task.
Chapter Two
THE NEW MAN IN TOWN
Charlotte
“Ow! Ow ow ow ow ow ow OW!”
Charlotte vaulted around the kitchen, hopping on one foot and fanning her open mouth wildly.
Her tongue was on fire.
Not literally, of course. But it really felt that way.
Her eyes watered as she reached for the door to the icebox. Through her tears, she could just make out the jug of milk inside.
No time for a glass. She guzzled the ice-cold milk so fast she nearly choked on it.
