But the matter could not be avoided, so I said, “Yes. It appears Arthur’s research has ground to a halt.”
“Arthur is a brilliant researcher, but perhaps he needs more help,” Emma mused. “We should speak to Augustus, Theo’s brother. He works at the Alicorn Hall of History. He told us about the Pool of Memory. Perhaps he has other information that could help us.”
“Can we trust him?” I was wary of speaking to anyone about our quest who wasn’t in our immediate circle.
“I mean, he’s Theo’s brother.”
“Family and blood mean nothing. Look at my relatives.”
“Good point.” Emma nibbled on her lip. “I suppose we only need to tell him the crucial details. That we must meet the Spring Princess, and something must be given to her to provide our escape from her land. He doesn’t need to know about the Crystals.”
“It’s an avenue we haven’t examined. Very well. Let’s speak to him.”
We had the thought to head to the alicorn village to look for him, but with all the guards we had to tote with us at all times, we decided it would be less of a hassle to summon him here, and send a royal escort to retrieve him. We waited inside the cottage for him to arrive. I got a fire going, and Emma put some tea on to prepare for our guest.
It felt like something we would do on any normal day, had we not become king and queen. The ambience the cottage created nearly felt… off. Like living in another world.
Maybe it was a mistake to bring her here. It only reminded her of what we could never have. I had made a foolish decision.
Some time later, a giant of an alicorn stepped through the door. He barely fit in the cottage. Despite the very muscular differences, I knew he was Theo’s brother the moment I laid eyes on him. The two shifters looked very much alike.
“Augustus. It’s nice to meet you,” I said, inclining my head.
“Call me Gus, your majesty,” he said, giving a bow to me, and then to my mate. “It’s nice to see you again, Emma. Or, should I say, my queen.”
“We hope you weren’t in the middle of something. We didn’t want to inconvenience you,” Emma noted.
“Nonsense. It’s an honor to be summoned by the king and queen, and friends of my brother besides. What assistance do you require from me?” he asked.
We gathered around the kitchen table. Emma had already poured us some tea. Gus sipped at it lightly, the dainty cup appearing like a toy in his massive hand. Gus and I were sitting, but Emma appeared like she couldn’t sit still. She paced back and forth in the kitchen, eager for answers.
“I was told you have need of my knowledge. Ask away,” Gus said.
“What we may ask is strange, but I promise you that it’s very important. We can’t reveal why, but know that the fate of the country is at stake,” I said.
Gus let out a bold laugh. “Very grave! I certainly hope I can help you.”
“We’re looking for the Spring Princess,” Emma began, and Gus’ eyes widened. “We know she exists in Edinmyre, but we do not know where in the realm she lives. We must find her, and speak with her, in order to barter for an item she has that we need. However, we know that once you are in her court, she doesn’t allow guests to leave. We need something to trade with her, both for the object we are looking for, and for safe passage back to Earth.”
Gus nodded. “I see. I’m afraid I cannot help you. I know of the Spring Princess, and of the legends surrounding her, but I do not know where you could find her.”
“There’s no clue you could give us?” I asked.
“It’s not my area of expertise,” Gus apologized. “All I know for certain is that if you wish to give the Spring Princess a gift she’ll find worthy of, it must be a very powerful magical object. Something magically unique, and objects like that are difficult to obtain.”
“Dammit,” Emma grumbled under her breath, and went to take a seat. “I figured you’d say that. I just thought— ouch!”
“You all right?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I just sat on the rock the kid gave me earlier,” she said. She dug through the pocket of her cloak, and with a sigh, laid the stone on the table.
When Gus saw it, his mouth dropped open. He leaned over the stone, expression completely enthralled with the stone’s unassuming presence.
“Where did you get this?” Gus asked, mystified.
“What? The stone?” Emma said.
“This isn’t a stone. It’s arusalkascale,” Gus said with awe.
