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The prophecy…

The raven had taunted her with it back in Spindlewood forest, making it seem as though because of it, Thicket was doomed to fail. Before she could get any answers, it had lit itself on fire. She had even tried asking Dymree’s Record Keeper, but it had said her sister had kept it a secret—one even the Record Keepers with all their vast knowledge didn’t know. The only thing she had learned was that it came from a group of twelve ancient beings called the Numyna. They lived in Menheir, a place that could only be reached if you had a wish powerful enough to attract the Soul Siren.

Thicket had wished for a lot of things in her life, yet none of them appeared to have been enough to garner her a trip, meaning she couldn’t rely on them.

You should have taken the cat’s offer while you still had it, the raven’s taunt replayed in her mind. It may have been your only opportunity to change the fate the prophecy wrote for you.

Was the cat somehow the key to understanding it? They could view different realities, so it would make sense if it was also somehow tied to the prophecy.

“If I said I wanted to use your offer to see into my future for something else,” Thicket asked, “could I?”

“That depends on my mood. And what information you seek.”

Thicket bit her lip. “What do you know about a prophecy? The one about me and my sister?”

The cat’s eyes turned to slits. “How do you know about that?”

“So it’s real?”

The cat shook its head. “The prophecy isn’t what it seems. Do not waste your time or energy deciphering it.”

“Please,” Thicket said. “I need to know what it says.”

The cat lifted its chin, tail thrashing defiantly. “I refuse.”

Frustration stirred where desperation usually slumbered. “How is this any different than telling me about my future?”

“I know things, Sleeping Princess, and right now you are in danger of treading down a dangerous path. If you wish to save your kingdom, you would do well to heed my warning.” Its molten eyes narrowed. “Forget the prophecy and turn your attention to another means of securing what you desire.” With a flick of its tail, the cat disappeared into the shadows of the alley.

Thicket stared after it, mind reeling. What had it meant by the prophecy not being what it seemed? Would it not give her what she needed? Was the raven wrong and it wasn’t a prophecy at all?

Or was the cat actually working for Lavender and was trying to direct Thicket away from the key to defeating her?

Voices sounded from beyond the alleyway. The departing members of the council.

“Elian!” Bern’s familiar voice made Thicket’s body stiffen. She pressed her back tighter against the wall, holding her breath as the sound of footsteps drew closer. “Have you seen Thicket?”

“I thought she was with you?” Elian said.

A tsk, undeniably Marcellus. “She must have snuck out while I was distracted.”

“We have to find her.” The concern was evident in Elian’s voice. Guilt scraped against her heart as she remembered her promise to see him after the meeting. Even as the thought latched itself in her mind, her body refused to stand and emerge from the alley. She wasn’t ready to face them. Not yet. Facing them meant accepting the role that had been thrust upon her.

Sneak inside the castle.

Kill Lavender.

Your princess has returned, but she is not as she was.

You think she is your hero. Your hope. Your savior. But she is just an outsider playing pretend.

As she was, there was no possible way for her to defeat Lavender. Maybe it was better for her to leave now. To turn herself in like Lavender wanted. Or better yet, maybe Thicket should let the lavender scent pull her back into the Dream World. Maybe, just maybe, with Thicket gone and Lavender finally fulfilling her wish of being queen, they would be able to find their happily ever after.

Her shoulders sagged, head hitting the hard stone behind her. As much as she wished she was, Thicket wasn’t that selfless. She still hoped—no, still wanted—a chance at her own happy end.

Forget the prophecy and turn your attention to another means of securing what you desire.

Thicket reached up to clutch her kiwi’s shredded totem. She wouldn’t run. She would face everyone and the responsibility of being Vindrya’s queen.