“Where?” I grumble as Pete, the Pinocchio with lying wood issues, struts out of Theo’s room with a wink. That’s creepy.
“Your knights are about to claim their future and set into motion something that cannot be undone.”
I mean, I thwarted death already. Fate seems fickle at this point. “What do you mean?”
He grins. “Your knight is about to claim the crown.”
Malachi is getting crowned? Good for him. Not sure why that’s an issue.
“Once a heartless Hart bears the weight, the kingdom is lost,” the rabbit says.
Wait, Hart is becoming the king? Oh wait, yes, we spun the story that he’d slain the dragon.
“So get dressed and let’s make him whole,” the candlestick squeaks. Aww, he’s super cute.
“Daphne, get dressed so you can ride in to save the knight you love before he dooms the realm to an endless nightmare,” the rabbit says.
That sounds bad. I rush into Malachi’s room and hunt in his wardrobe for a gown. Of course, he kept them. I note the small things: the crack in the mirror, the broken headboard. Thatbetter have been from missing me and not from another female. I’m not responsible for my actions if that’s how he got over me.
Look out, realm—a murderous maiden is on the loose in the castle.
Chapter Five
Daphne
You’d think after staring down death and conquering it, the horses would no longer scare Murderous Maiden Daphne Stone. You’d be wrong. They were still huge, terrifying, with eyes that bore into your soul and teeth that could rip off your face.
The amused stable boy leans against the wall as I talk with the steed that is going to carry me to my knights.
“Here’s the deal, Lorraine,” I start. Yes, I’m aware of the unusual name for a horse, and I’m hoping that means she’s less horse and more person, reducing the likelihood of her eating any part of my body. It would be such a waste after my resurrection.“I will feed you copious carrots and apples, and you will take me carefully but at a fast pace to the knights’ kingdom.”
She rolls her lips and blows in my face. I side-eye the stable boy. “What does that mean?”
He shrugs. “How would I know? She’s a horse.”
I love it when a professional knows less than nothing about their chosen profession. His is simple—understand the horses and translate them to terrified yet murdery maidens.
I twist my lips to the side and retrieve a carrot from the satchel hooked over my shoulder. Lorraine snatches it from my hands and chomps in a happy, contented manner while I stare at said hand and marvel at the fact my fingers are still attached. Wonders will never cease.
I have no idea how to mount the gigantic beast without the aid of a knight. The stable boy looks like he’d struggle to lift a pail of water, never mind a maiden. Noticing my reluctance, he tuts and grabs a stepping stool from the side before positioning it beside the horse.
Squaring my shoulders, I stride up the two steps and throw my leg over her back, and launch myself up and over. Look at me go. Oops. And go…
The stable boy mutters something under his breath before dashing to the opposite side and preventing me from toppling to the floor. His hands grip my leg, and I get myself balanced. Wow, it’s high up here, even more so when you’re riding alone without a knight to steady you. I could go on foot, but according to the time-obsessed rabbit, I’d be late and then the kingdom would be doomed.
I grab the reins and make a clicking noise I’ve heard Nash using. Lorraine doesn’t move.
“Try tapping her sides with your heels,” the stable boy advises.
I gasp. “I will not kick the terrifying creature.”
He rolls his eyes. So much sass for someone so young. “Not kick. A light tap to let her know you are ready to go.”
Right. I lift my feet to the sides and bounce them against her flanks. She huffs and strides forward. Yes, I am doing this. We will be there in no time at all.
Lorraine picks up the pace through the courtyard before I realize something essential. I shout over my shoulder at the stable boy, “Which way do I go?” I get lost in a castle with arrows carved into the walls. I’ll end up in the far reaches of So Far Away with my villainous friends before I reach the knights. I wonder how they are getting on with their self-worth.
He shakes his head. “Trust your horse and ask some folks if you feel lost.”
