I’m so eager to hear something about my mother’s past, aboutanythingshe’s been reluctant to tell me, that my heart pounds behind my ribs, cake left forgotten on the plate.
“Yes, four. Lilibeth, Morgana, Fern, and I. You’ll know her as Queen Fern now.”
My mother and the queen?Friends?Then why does my mum refuse to talk about her?
Wait.Morgana?
My hand shoots to my throat.
“What happened?” I plead. “Please.”
“If Lilibeth hasn’t shared any stories with you, then I shouldn’t either. It’s not my place.”
“No,please.She’s barely told me anything, even when I ask. I only know that Morgana—”
I stop. If the four of them were friends, but now live like less than strangers—one overwhelmed with paranoia, one protected by magical wards, one living in mystery outside the kingdom…and my mum, guilt-ridden and secretive. There had to have been a catalyst. A catalyst as big as a dark curse.
“It all fell apart after Morgana cursed me, right?”
“A lot happened,” Ruth says. “We all made mistakes and lostthings we held dear. Sadly, the rift became too vast to heal. I’m glad you came here today, Fliss. I’m grateful for this chance to get to know you now.”
My chest pangs. It must have been awful…. I couldn’t imagine falling out with Card to the point where he isn’t in my life anymore. I mean, it’s hard to get rid of him as it is.
“Um, I know that the difficult times might be hard to talk about, but I’d quite like to hear some stories of my mum and her friends before the fallout. If that’s okay.”
Ruth beams.
It must be an hour later, certainly after midday, when Ruth finishes up a story about Mum and Fern climbing a tree so high that they got stuck and had to shout for the guards to come and help. I’m helpless with laughter, and there’s a joyful pink glow to Ruth’s cheeks.
“It wasn’t until they were back on the ground safely that Morgana told us she knew a spell to float them down. Fern went ballistic. Garland, the current king, had summoned a magical bubble to get her out of the tree while all the guards watched on. He was crown prince at the time. We all knew Fern had a huge crush on him and she was mortified. But Morgana was always like that, tricks up her sleeves that she didn’t reveal until the last moment,” Ruth says, finishing off her second slice of cake—blueberry jam and vanilla sponge this time.
“My gosh, I can’t imagine the queen stuck in a tree.” I laugh. “That’s amazing!” Definitely something I’ll call to mind next time she has me stuck under scrutiny in that foxglove-filled room. She wasn’t always so stern. She was once a teenager in a tree.
Ruth starts to top up our cups.
And the front door opens behind her.
Will strides through the doorway in a brown leather jacket, his hair windswept and a sheen on his skin from the midday sun. He kicks the door closed with his heel and doesn’t notice me until he’s taken a few steps into the room. His eyes meet mine and he halts like he’sbeen caught off guard, like he’s unsure if he’s imagining me. Gill, who fell asleep by my feet a long time ago, instantly pads toward Will and taps a paw on his boots. It’s not enough of a distraction.
“Fliss,” he says. “You’re here.”
“Yes. I am,” I reply. Then kick myself.Obviously.
Thank the gods for Ruth.
“Would you like some cake? Fliss was kind enough to bring some over for us, along with these beautiful flowers.”
Will pushes his hair back, and I find myself watching the way the waves fall into place behind his pierced ears.
“Of course there are flowers,” he mutters loud enough for us to hear, then heads to the kitchen. He downs half a glass of water and leans against the kitchen counter, one ankle kicked over the other.
“Do you not want them?” I ask, with what I hope is a bite of mockery.
“I couldn’t wish for anything more,” he replies melodramatically, then finishes the rest of his drink. “There’s cake?”
“Join us. How was Wendy?” Ruth asks.
Will takes a seat to my left and Gill hops onto his lap.
