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I raise a fist in the air and let out a loud howl. One by one, my fellow riders respond in turn.

The moment we are finished showering after our return from flying, the dinner bell rings. Ramona and I walk side by side to the dining pavilion and take our seats. Opita nods in encouragement. Tofina still looks windswept from joining in our flight earlier this afternoon.

Other members of the Forest Court take their seats. They sip wine and adjust their glittering jewels, acting completely oblivious to the impending doom of the world both outside and inside the Forest. And yet, they titter about, chatting about the latest possessions they acquired.

Easy to do when you live for hundreds of years and can acquire massive amounts of wealth.

I swallow down spit.

Eventually, when the lightning bugs flash and frogs croak, my father enters. Everyone ignores their growling bellies. It is customary to wait for the Lord of the Forest before partaking in any eating. A dangerous policy, if you ask me. Several members of the Court already have slightly glazed eyes from drinking with no food.

We stand as he enters, robes dark green and trailing along the polished wooden floor. Lord Clayoq raises his hands forward and out, like he’s showcasing the Marfik stone himself. “This is the final dinner with my son, Leaf. Please, let’s celebrate the return of the Prince with one final meal together before he returns to the Watch. Eat!”

At his command, servants appear from the gaps in the twisting tree trunk with trays piled high with food. Delicacies from every corner of the Forest are on display as each servant approaches to place portions on our plates.

Although it’s highly over the top, I keep my eye rolling to a minimum and thank the servants. It’s not their fault that my father’s ego is larger than the Sky Palace.

More courses are served, and the court members placate my father with talks of their most recent investments. It’s all terribly boring, so I instead focus on the outside of my knee, where it is slightly pressed against Ramona’s leg.

If she feels our contact, she doesn’t show it.

She has no clue that she is a rope holding me safely to the trees, grounding me so I don’t fall. Opita asks Ramona how the flight earlier went, having been unable to fly with us. Tofina interjects here and there, correcting Ramona if she said the wrong words or described various flight patterns incorrectly. At the Watch, I’m all talk, poking fun at others, and starting up conversations.

Here, I’m quiet.

Suppressed once again into a mold I don’t fit.

Eventually, the dinner turns to desserts, then to drinks, and—finally—to just me, Ramona, and my father.

I lean forward over the table and push the stem of my wine glass aside. “I’ve returned to the Forest, reclaimed my title as Heir, and dined three times. It’s time we talk about why we’ve come.”

My father’s dark eyebrow arches, but he inclines his head nonetheless.

I jump in, unsure if I’ll have a better moment. “As you are aware, the moon’s orbit is widening a fraction as each day passes.”

“And?” he asks, voice lilting in a way that sends shivers down my spine.

“We believe that there could be a way to stop the moon. It would take a lot of powerful magic, but it’s the only idea we have.”

He swirls the wine in his cup. “Ah, and so you seek the moon stone.”

My pulse quickens. “We are looking for the Marfik stone, and we have reason to believe you are the last one who had it.”

The Lord of the Forest lifts his wine glass to his nose and sniffs. Seemingly pleased with the aroma, he sips a finite amount. His expression is smooth and unfazed by any of this information.

Agitation threatens to charge out of me like a bull. Ramona places her hand on my leg under the table, and my shoulders instantly drop.

“Lord Clayoq,” Ramona says, “we need you to give us the stone. If there is a price, perhaps we can work out some sort of a payment. We just need it to test some theories.”

My father sets down the glass, hand sprawled across the base with the stem carefully lodged between fingers. He contemplates for a few moments, and I want to flip the entire table over, grab Ramona, and jump off the edge while calling Taman. He’ll catch us before we hit the forest floor. I think.

“You asked about the Marfik stone. It is indeed a very powerful stone, known for its ability to lift and pull some of the heaviest objects.” The base of the glass scrapes lightly against the wood table as he swirls once more. “How do you think this palace was created?”

I blink a few times. “We believe it will be one of the keys to solving the moon crisis.”

“I would help you…” he says before trailing off, lost in thought.

Ramona has had enough. She slams her palms on the table. “Then help us! We are asking. Your son returned here for this very stone.”