“I am ready, fairest Ditsy. Poseidon awaits.”
Ugh, why have we spent endless turns with our heads stuck in the books, only for all the action to occur at once?
“Can we put a pin in it?” I ask.
The mirror man rears back. “The power it takes for this is not to be underestimated. I am breaking so many rules for this to be possible.”
My head feels like it’s being pulled in a million directions. That can’t be healthy.
“Okay. The All Knowing pulled the rabbit out of his ass, so he can do it again,” Gwyneth mutters. “Or the rabbit will wait. The more immediate issue is Poseidon. We don’t want an angry Idol on our asses while we are traipsing through a new world. So let’s pacify the Idol by exchanging his weapon for the sword, which we need back here, anyway.”
“That’s a good plan,” Nash admits.
“Back in our chambers,” Malachi says. “Not here.”
I sigh as we turn in the opposite direction to where the rabbit left. My stomach rumbles. “I’m going to need extra sausage if I’m facing an angry Idol with weird kinks and a personality flaw.”
“Sword, then sausage,” Theo states.
“New group motto,” I quip. “But it’s the wrong way around. Sausage should always come before swords.”
Gwyneth snorts, and Nash shakes his head as they lead the way. How is it I still don’t know where I am going? I am directionally challenged, and they still want me to visit two completely new realms? This hasDaphne disasterwritten all over it, but it’s still better than stuffy research. I just hope I’m not about to eat my own words.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Never let it be said that Daphne Stone isn’t brave. But that doesn’t mean I’m confident. Being brave involves being scared, because otherwise you are cocky without regard for the million things that can sweep your life from your veins. We are all only ever one stupid decision away from death, and it doesn’t matter if you live your diurnals in a stuffy library with books for company, or you ride at dawn with a sword grasped in your hand, seeking adventure.
Now, as I stand clutching an Idol weapon in front of a mirror with a man I call a friend, I can safely say I am both terrified and expecting the worst. I can’t remember whose room is whose in the knights’ chambers, and yet I am about to walk into a world I’ve never visited with a guide who can’t remember my name. What can go wrong?
My reflection stares back at me. I look strong with my hair pulled into two tight braids by Gwyneth, wearing my new emerald-green dress, shorter than the common style with the hem below my knee. My feet are wrapped in sturdy leather flat boots, while the trident, a symbol of power made for the Idols, finishes off my outfit. Just what every clumsy and confused maiden needs.
“When you are ready, touch the trident to your reflection,” the mirror man says.
“But Daphne’s body will remain here?” Gwyneth asks for the hundredth time.
“That’s right, but she will transfer her consciousness to her reflection.”
“Sounds simple enough,” I mutter.
“How long will this take?” Nash asks.
“A turn, perhaps two if she stands to gossip with an Idol,” the mirror man replies.
“There will be no gossiping,” I declare. “I’ll get in, do a swapsie, and get out.”
“Try not to bring any new magical sidekicks back with you,” Hart drawls as Sir Sweeps-A-Lot brushes against my free hand. “We are running out of room.”
To emphasise his point, my capons make a mad dash from one bed chamber to another. “Stop squabbling,” I bark at them. They freeze for a moment before resuming at a normal pace. They aren’t fooling me.
“Don’t overfeed them, because they get gassy,” I instruct.
“You’ll be gone a turn.” Theo smirks. “I wasn’t planning on feeding them at all.”
“Also, compliment my broom and be kind to the genie, wherever he is right now.” He keeps disappearing off somewhere. His lamp? Maybe he retreats in there to escape this madness.
“Stop talking like this is the last time you’ll see us.” Malachi clicks his tongue. “Or you won’t be going at all.”
