My father gives an awkward huff and places a firm hand on my shoulder. “How are you doing, my girl?”
“Better now that you’re here,” I tell him. “Hey, is that a frying pan?”
“Oh yes.” Papa holds up the cast iron proudly. “I was having a wee midnight snack with the lads when some foul creature came charging in and bit the hand off the chef. This thing gave it a mighty good smart.”
I hurry back to the door, still clutching Astrid to my chest. Outside, I see the guards tied up with rope, gags in their mouths. “These are your men.”
Darkness clouds Billy’s face. “After goblins attacked the kitchen, we crept to the hubbub in the ruins of the old library. We saw Dayton fighting like a warrior trying to protect that big wolf. He kept yelling it was Farron.”
“At first, we thought he was crazy. Corrupted by the Below like our mother said.” Dom’s voice wavers. “But then I saw the beast’s eyes.”
“Day wouldn’t leave him,” Billy says. “It’s Farron, isn’t it? That wolf is our brother?”
I nod solemnly. “It is. He’s under a curse. He can’t control himself when he’s like that. Caspian tricked us into letting the goblins into Coppershire. It was our fault, but we’re trying to do what’s best for the city, for Farron.”
“That’s what we thought,” Dom says. “But Mother won’t listen to any of it. She thinks it’s connected to the Below. All the princes and you.”
“Kel only froze the keep to protect Farron and stop the goblins,” I urge. “Believe me.”
They both nod. “That’s why we’re getting you out of here. But I don’t know where to go. Outside the city, that frost has gotten close.”
Absently, I pat Astrid’s soft white fur. “This is such a mess. The High Princes are prisoners, the frost is nearly upon the city, and Farron… He’s so lost.”
“That wolf was powerful,” Billy says. “All that fire. Why can’t Farron use that when he’s not foaming at the mouth?”
“Fire…” Images flash before me: flickering pages in the wind, the grimoires of the alder tree. “Farron mentioned powerful but dark spells in the alder tree. I think he was frightened of them, but we’ve got nothing to lose now. Do you think there could be something useful?” I give a deep sigh. “Never mind. Even if there was, the wolf tore the place to shreds. It’s all in ruins.”
“Hey.” Papa holds both my shoulders. “I’ve been piecing together ruins my whole life. Take me there, and I’ll find what you need.”
“As royal blood, we can get you in,” Dom says.
“Problem is,” Billy adds, “only a High Prince would be powerful enough to use any of the spells in there.”
I look out the window. “I’ll find him.”
“Rose,” Papa says, “I saw that beast. It’s too dangerous.”
“Farron always turns back into a man at dawn. The sun will soon crest over the horizon, and he’ll wake up scared and alone. I have to be there for him.”
Papa considers me. “My brave girl. You remind me of your mother with that look. Such fierce determination.”
I turn to Marigold. “You and Astrid are going to use all your wiles to get down to the dungeon. Tell the princes I’m safe. I don’t want them to do anything rash on my behalf. Right now, they have to show Princess Niamh they’re not the enemy.”
Fear still courses through me, but having a plan kindles my hope. Its spark catches in the others’ gazes as well.
“I’m always good at doing what I’m told, darling.” Marigold winks.
“We’ll do right by you, Rose,” Papa says. “I’ll be here for you now. Whatever you need.”
I squeeze his hand. “Have courage, and don’t give up hope.”
“Ah, but sweet Astrid,” Dom mumbles. “Where is she?”
There’s an explosion of fur in my arms, and then Astrid’s thin naked frame stands in front of me. She pumps a fist in the air. “I’m here and ready to save the princes!”
Dom and Billy go completely red.
Despite it all, a smile creeps up my face. Marigold gently places a blanket over Astrid, and I survey our team. The High Princes, the most powerful men in the Enchanted Vale are in trouble, and it might just take a human archeologist, two young pranksters, a timid hare, a lusty raccoon, and me—the Lady of Castletree—to save them.
