Without realizing it, my body has transformed. With large strides, I walk toward the doorway. “To get her back.”
All the thoughts. All the thoughts swirling around—with the noises of so many people talking at once—has me on edge. She would know what to do. Yet, she is the only one who isn’t here. After being alone for so long, it is a funny feeling. I have only half of a heart; she holds the other. I will not rest again until I see her smile.
“Then let’s go—together,” Rosie says, straightening up.
“Together?” I quirk an eyebrow, while Oak and Holly shoot disapproving looks at her. The humans may have insisted on staying here and helping, but besides the needed mortal support, I do not see the value of placing them in danger.
“No, no, I will go—as will Pepper, who will serve as Mother’s right hand,” Holly says, leaving little room for argument. “You, Clara, and Oak will all remain at the castle.”
Rosie crosses her arms, not willing to back down so easily.
“Heather’s one of our best friends. The first time she was kidnapped, I couldn’t do anything. I didn’t even know what was happening…”
“And what will you do if there is a fight?” Holly pipes up. “Bake cookies at our attacker.”
“Hey!” Clara says. “I’mthe one who bakes cookies. Rosie is also good at baking, and honestly everything, but she’s also—”
Rosie plucks a knife from Holly’s arsenal and tosses it. It plunges into the apple at the very top of a pile in a decorative bowl clear across the room.
“—really good at throwing shit.” Clara chuckles, sidling up to her wife and giving her a kiss. “Have fun, hon.”
11.
Heather
“
I
love you, my foolish little flame.”Moth’s prickly voice seething through the phone has sent warmth back into my cold body. I can just picture the way his jaw clenched, his red eyes flaring. God, I want him so bad. Even if he can’t understand mygeniusattempt to bide time.
I wish I’d been able to hear the rest of Holly’s questions. Why would it matter if I agreed to help Magnus? All we said were words; it’s not like I signed a contract.
I try and try to get the call to go through again before conceding and slipping the phone into my bodice. It digs into my ribs, but thankfully, with the way the dress is made, it won’t be spotted. I turn the corner, examining the restaurant. The trouble with it being open air is the exits are both everywhere and nowhere. Plan or no plan, Moth is coming for me. But if there’s a town nearby, I might be able to find someone to help in the meantime. This meal will end soon, and Magnus will want to take me back to his castle…
I spot Magnus—still at our floating picnic on the water. More food has arrived in my absence, and he stares off as if lost in thought. Considering I have a contraband phone hidden in my bodice, I’m glad to have a moment where his full attention is on something other than me.
Moth is right. This is a silly plan, and this is my chance to change it.
My wings stretch out before I can talk myself out of it, and I fly skimming over the water until the restaurant is a blur behind me.
“Heather!” Magnus shouts behind me. I cringe, sparing a glance over my shoulder. Despite being part of the Dragonfly Court, he doesn’t sprout wings and chase me. Instead, he stalks across the marshy ground, hopping from lily pad to lily pad until there’s nowhere left for him to go.
But it’s strange. Something inside me aches, similar to when you leave home and can’t remember if you left your hair straightener plugged in.Why do I feel like I’m supposed to go back?
Shaking my head as if to dislodge the thoughts, I push forward, ignoring the sensation until it’s a dull hum at the edge of my thoughts. My wings take me past overgrown reeds and flowers. Directionless, I dart forward. The water turns crystal clear, reminding me of the way Queen Plume’s portal ripples. The magic that’s used is supposed to stem from this court, right? Maybe the solution is even closer than I thought. I find myself distracted by the way the water shines and glimmers. It’s so hypnotic that I can barely tear my eyes away, which is unfortunate because my wings have clipped a low hanging reed and now I’m crashing into it.
Splash!
I close my eyes tight, anticipating the shaky feeling of portal travel—but it’s just water, and now, not only am I directionless, but both me and my cellphone are soaked.
Great.
“No, no, no, no,” I hiss through gritted teeth, kicking my legs to stay afloat until I get to one of the oversized lily pads to hang on.
Searching the area, I notice a dock a little off in the distance—along with some kind of building beyond it. Maybe I can find someone to help me or, at least, lay low for a moment. I swimtoward it, the feeling that I didn’t unplug a major appliance returning the farther I get, not that I have long to focus on it.
Something shifts in the water in front of me. Bubbles rise to the surface, and I yelp, unsure of what kind of predator could be lurking under the surface. Before I moved out of Orlando, we had gators which were bad enough.
