His eyes shoot from the ring up to meet mine. “That actually might help narrow down some possible options. It’s likely a simple protection charm. Those are fairly common, especially in the Seelie Court. And the vine motif of the band looks horrendously Seelie,” he says with the slightest hint of disgust.

“The Seelie Court? Why would my aunt have an heirloom with a Seelie protection charm? And how? And protection fromwhat?”

His expression takes on a gleam of amusement. “It would seem your inquisitiveness has returned.” He quickly takes a look around the clearing before turning back to me. “It’s getting late, we should get out of here. There are creatures that aren’t nearly as kind as me lurking in these forests.”

“I thought you said you weren’t kind?”

“I never said I was. I just said they weren’t as kind as me. Which is really saying something.”

I shiver and not from the chill in the air. “Are we going to find another portal?” I ask, trying to shift the topic of conversation.

“No.” He must notice how the simple answer causes my entire demeanor to simultaneously deflate and be set on edge, because he continues after the smallest hesitation. “The closest one is too far to safely reach this evening. I’ll take you back to my cottage where you’ll be safe for the night, and we can determine the next course of action to locate a portal to send you home.”

His cottage?“Oh, are you sure? There’s no way I can get back tonight? I’m sure my aunt must be worried sick about me.” I chew on my bottom lip nervously.

“I’m positive. Now, unless you’d like to sleep in the forest with the monsters, you’re coming with me.” He says it so matter-of-factly that I don’t argue. I just trail behind him as we head back into the direction of the palace and the festivities.