Daria’s second eyebrow joins the first as she accepts them from him.
“Don’t worry,” I tell her, “we’ll make sure Joha uses all thatsugaron his berries.”
Ignoring his spluttering protests, Daria beams at us before retreating with her own family. It’s heartwarming to see her happily reunited with them, hopefully breathing a little easier at long last.
Lunch passes in a blur of food, laughter, and half the town stopping by with toasts and updates. Talvie glows brighter with every friendly interruption, and Hugo steals so many bites of sausage, I’m surprised he doesn’t explode. By the time we roll out of Ylvara, my belt’s tighter, my heart’s lighter, and—afterstopping to check on Katja at the healer’s and Mikael at the smithy—my head rests easier at leaving again. Doc’s steady hands as she works and Mika’s bashful smile tell me they’re both thriving where they belong.
The forest opens into a clearing exactly where Locke marked on my map. Johannes leans over the side of the wagon. “Why are we meeting him in the middle of nowhere?”
I flick the reins, coaxing the deer pulling our wagon into the open space. “Because Locke said so, and he’s the sort of person you just…trust on these things. Mostly.”
“Sounds suspicious,” Helkki stage-whispers. “I like it!”
Talvie snorts just as Locke steps from the shadows in that patchwork coat of his, like he could belong in any market in any world.
“My favorite new supplier,” he drawls, eyeing the kids, “and accomplices.”
We unload the wagon as Locke inspects what we’ve brought.
“Pixierock, moon petals, spectrolite, emeralds…nice.” Locke whistles low, pocketing the gemstones and packing other items into a bundle. “You don’t disappoint.” He hands over coin, allergy pills for Joha, and then presents Talvie with a small box. “An early wedding gift.”
Her eyes widen. “How did you know?”
“It’s my business to know things. Rule number one: always informed, never surprised.”
“I wish I had that level of information,” the princess complains.
“You need spies, princess. Maybe train this brood. That one looks sneaky.” He nods at Helkki.
I scoff, because tossing fireballs issoinconspicuous.
“Or not,” Locke shrugs. “But we need every advantage to navigate royal demands.”
“We?” I ask.
Locke only winks.
Talvie lifts the lid. A ruby gleams like fire from inside the box. “Wow.”
“Rustaki ruby, spelled to ward curses,” Locke explains. “I hear you could use a break from those.”
“Understatement,” Juani snorts.
“Locke, we can’t accept this,” Talvie protests. “It’s too much.”
“Trust me, Highness, it’s in my best interest to make friends with future queens. Rule number one.”
Helkki frowns. “But you just said—”
“Gotta run,” Locke interrupts. “More of that pesky royal business to attend to.”
Before I can press for details, Locke lifts a hand, and the sky darkens. Trees quiver as beating wings ripple the air like thunder. A massive shadow blocks out the sun, descending until we can make out its form.
Shining red scales catch the light as the enormous dragon lands, shaking the ground beneath our feet. Two sparkling green eyes fix on us with a predator’s curiosity.
Helkki’s jaw drops.
Yeah…okay…all our jaws drop, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Hellion speechless before.
