“What do you know?”I growl, raising up his thin body until his legs kick in the air.
“I don’t—” He gasps, his hands reaching for mine to try to escape my grasp, but it is a pointless struggle.
Lies.He is lying. Though my memories of the past may be hazy, I can see it in the way he won’t meet my eyes. Sprout paws at my shin in protest. I roll my eyes, loosening my grip from his thin neck to the fabric of his collar. Sprout whines, suggesting the change is not merciful enough.
“You know, I used to enjoy when you did this–” Oak grunts, as he begins to shift, his mouth contorting into something pointed and beaklike. “In this context, it is considerably less pleasant.”
“Not the time, Oak!”Ruby scolds, placing a hand on her hips.
Mother breezes into the room. “Children please—if you’re going to battle, at least adorn your armor and go to the training grounds.” She taps her foot impatiently as if worried we’ll knock over a vase if we do not take the rough housing outside, but this is not a game.
“Not until he tells me what he knows,” I snarl through gritted teeth, loosening my grip on his throat. I suddenly feel more like a rebellious teenager than a grown man searching for his fiancé.
“Right, right. Yes!” Oak takes a deep breath, his human features returning. “Fine! I will. Just put me down!”
“If you hurt her—”
“No, no, no… it’s nothing like that. I was just hoping she would change her mind.”
“Aboutwhat?”
“The studio! Gods, Moth, will you put me down?” he asks, kicking his legs. Sprout huffs, pawing at my leg once more. Finally, I relent, placing Oak back down onto his feet.Is that what this is all about?
“Studio?” Holly asks, tilting her head. Rosie and Clara share the same puzzled expression.
“A business venture… herein Eclipsica,” I huff. Oak rubs his neck. “I am sorry.”
“Whatdid you think—thatIhad something to do with this?” he snaps, looking like I’ve hurt him more emotionally than physically.
I run my fingers through my hair, unsure how to respond. My desperation is making me reckless, but I cannot let suspicion—or rumors—turn me against my friends…
“I do not know where she has been taken, but I do know we will find her,” Oak says seriously. He grins, his fangs on full display. “Besides, I’ve always wanted to storm a castle. It’s all deliciously dramatic.”
I roll my eyes. It did not take long for him to get back to his old self.
“What? It is not every day we get to rescue a princess. Though, I suppose her title would not have become official until—”
“Enough!” I growl, pinching the bridge of my nose “Can you offer something more useful than this commentary?”
“Indeed.I’ll take my leave and comb the taverns for gossip,” Oak says. “Perhaps Widow can assist; people tend to have loose lips during gown fittings…”
“A good thought.” Ruby sighs. “We can make a list of nobles while Widow works her magic. Goodness, it is already nearly sunrise. Moth…” She bites her lip, a dramatic sigh leaving her lips. “There is something I need from you.”
Something I can do to help? I stand at attention and nod.
“Someone needs to get Pepper. They’ve been promoted to lead advisor while you’ve been away.” Ruby seems a little frantic, and I am happy to offer my assistance.
Mother nods. “Yes, yes! Pepper’s expertise will be needed. Get them for us, won’t you?”
First, get Pepper. That is an achievable goal. Mother and Ruby smile at each other in a shared moment I do not understand. I offer a shallow bow, turning to leave the room. My body, responding to orders, seems to have a mind of its own. With hurried steps I leave the castle, Sprout following every step of the way.
Pepper has let their hair grow long. It hangs in dozens of braids down their back. Their youngest, Dot, haphazardly adorns thebraids with ribbons and flora I suppose must have been gathered from the garden.
“Do you have an appointment?” they ask, blinking their eyes. Pepper looks amused but tired, a beacon of patience; considering that I have been fighting the urge to tear directionless into the sky, it is something I could learn from.
“Heather is missing,” I say, surprised at the hollowness in my voice. Pepper tenses, shooting me a look, then glances toward Dot whose tiny hands have not stopped dutifully adding leaves to the braids. From the state of the two of them, still dressed in their night clothes, I imagine it has been an early morning.
“Did you look behind the tree? That’s Decy’s favorite spot,” Dot chirps, and I freeze, realizing I will have to use my words carefully.
