Genie rises to hover before us as our horses continue their trek. The steady clip-clop of their hooves would be lulling if I wasn’t fretting about murderous Idols and disastrous intent. Also, the heat radiating from Theo is increasing in intensity. I think it’s his dragon pushing back against him wanting to confirm I’m here, breathing, alive.
“Well, we have the Beast,” Genie starts.
“In beast form or prince?” I wonder.
“Beast. There’s lots of snarling and not a lot of sense from that one. He’s declared the armory as his quarters and is vetting the Belles.”
“Who else?” Malachi asks.
Genie scratches his chin as if he’s mentally flipping through a very inconvenient fairy-tale catalogue.
“The Evil Queen from Snow White has claimed the west tower and has decreed all apples will now be sanctioned by her.”
“She’s poisoning them?” I ask.
“No,” Genie sighs. “It’s more that some aren’t while some are, meaning you take your life in your hands if you take a bite. But that’s not the worst part.”
“How much lower can one stoop than terrorizing the fruit?” I wonder. “Wait, if the apples are cooked and smushed, are they still dangerous?”
“I’m failing to see your point,” Hart grumbles.
“Apple pie, apple crumbles, and other apple things. Does the cooking process remove the poison?”
“I’ll get back to you on that,” Genie replies.
“The worst part,” Nash reminds Genie.
“She’s holding mirror interviews. Every reflective surface in the castle must now confirm that she is the fairest in the land. The land of reflection is in uproar.”
Hart snorts. “What does Eron have to say about this?”
“A lot,” Genie mutters. “But not much of it makes sense. He’s more cracked than normal.”
I frown and make a note to check in with Eron the tempo we are safe in the Living Library. I haven’t seen my faithful friend in too many turns.
“Next?” Nash prompts.
Genie raises a finger. “Captain Hook.”
Theo groans. “Of course, there’s a pirate.”
“He’s taken the moat and installed cannons while declaring the swans are enemy vessels. He keeps shouting about a crocodile conspiracy.”
“Mr. Tick is back?” I ask.
“Not currently.”
“Shame. I really like that guy.”
“No more sidekicks,” Theo grumbles. “It’s hard enough keeping on top of the ones you already claimed.”
He and Nash did a fabulous job of keeping on top last night.
“Careful, pretty mouse, I only have so much restraint when your thoughts turn dirty.”
Genie continues, “The Big Bad Wolf is here as well.”
Malachi sighs like a man who has fought too many wolves already. We’ve met variations of the wolf, but none of them have been bad. It’s a misnomer.
