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Alrick and I exchanged worried looks. “Yes,” I said. “She was riding north to our kin to return with an escort. She traveled with a Northern soldier. Conrad.”
My father shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I have not heard from her.”
“Are you certain? How did you know we were here if not from her?” I asked, a shiver of fear rolling down my spine. As much as we’d fought, I still wished her no ill. She’d been traveling to my cousin’s for all of us, including myself.
“I’m afraid I am. I received a messenger pigeon from an old woman who claimed to have met you in the woods and that you were now on your way north on a small path a few miles from the road to your cousin’s. She said you had given her something precious and that she was able to trade that for valuables, including coins that would pay for her message to be delivered by one of the last messenger pigeons in the North. We rode day and night to find you up here.”
Alrick’s childhood words came to me.The gods show kindness to those who show kindness first.
“That can only mean one thing,” Alrick said, his tone serious. “That Conrad has betrayed us and sent the black knights here.”
Alrick bowed in a rush. “Your Highness, I need to ride after her. Maybe it’s not too late.”
I stepped forward, about to announce that I would come as well, but my father grabbed my arm to pull me back.
“I will come with you,” he said. “Your sister has risked her life to save my daughter. I owe her that much and more. We shall take several men and send the rest as an escort with my daughter north.”
Alrick nodded, then they both left.
“Take Fiona!” I yelled after Alrick. He turned, looked at me as if to make sure I was serious, and then nodded before vanishing behind the trees.
“Your Highness! You are alive,” Frida’s tearful voice echoed through the woods. “Your Highness, by God, is that truly you?”
Before I could even make out where Frida’s voice was coming from, I found myself in her arms. Her wet tears drenched the side of my face and neck as her tight squeeze made me cough. In the corner of my eyes, I saw an army of maids holding up fabrics around me to hide me from the soldiers.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to catch my breath.
“Are you jesting? You were missing, so I came looking for you. We all did.” I pictured Frida arguing with my father. Him insisting she stay behind, Frida not having any of it. A warm feeling filled my stomach. Even as the Night Queen, I still had people who loved and believed in me.
“How terrible. Your hair! What did these barbarians do to you?” Frida said, still weeping.
I patted her back and tried to calm her.“It’s only hair, Frida. It will grow back.”
Frida’s body stiffened, her wide eyes turning toward me. “Your Highness? Did you just say...”
I sighed. “It’s just hair, Frida. It will grow back. That’s what I said, yes.”
A wide smile split her lips before her face turned serious again.
“We will take care of you right away, Your Highness. A bath, a fine dress, perfume, and we will send for the finest stylist in the country.” She grabbed my hand as she wiped away the last wave of tears with a handkerchief. “And sweets to gain back the weight you lost. You are skin and bones. But do not concern yourself, My Princess. Your Frida is here now. We will have you looking like the princess from the Rhine again in no time. Don’t you worry, leave it all to your Frida.”
I squeezed her hand. “I am certain you will. Thank you.”
Surprised at my gentle gesture, she stared at me once more, then turned. “Your carriage is this way.”
But I remained motionless. Frida froze, a confused look on her face.
“Thank you,” I said once more. “For everything.”
My eyes met hers as she ran her wrinkled hand over my cheek. “You are welcome, dear child.” Then she cleared her throat. “Now, let’s clean you up. You are the heir to the kingdom of the Rhine. What will the people say if they see you in a state like this! Unthinkable.”
I grinned. “Just imagine the gossip. Mud Queen, they would call me.” I winked at one of the younger maids, who started giggling.
“My thoughts exactly. I am relieved to see Her Highness has not lost her wits through all these horrors.”
I tried to grow serious again. “I am all yours.”
