Page 24 of Of Monsters Of Kings

I pulled a face. “How does that make a difference?”

“This might change how you see us, and seeing is half the doing. Will Boughy. Has Bin.”

After I repeated the names, he chuckled again. “Let me spell them for you.”

I exclaimed after, “Will Be and Has Been. Those are their names? Whatever do they mean? And ‘Is’ for that matter. They’re your real mother-given names?”

“Mothers, no. Ancients, yes. Together we are what Will Be, what Has Been, and what Is.”

His explanation struck me. I could only speak my first thought. “Well, that is beautiful indeed. I do see now. Thank you. Ancients named you very well, for you are here right now.”

“The present does call me forcefully, it is true.”

I brushed at my arm again, scratching the flakes off with my short nails. “And Kingsie. You found that name amusing too. Am I saying his name wrong?”

“What’s that?” Is cut me off.

I stilled and glanced at the sky.

“Not the sky. On your…” Urgency filled his tone. “Lady Patch, come closer, please.”

Looking first to where my toes were dug in the dirt, I considered his request. “I can come closer.”

“Quick now,” he urged.

“I’m not sure about quick,” I muttered. I’d kept my body still too long, and my movements were clunky and numb.

I shuffled toward the shadows, then took larger steps as blood pumped into my legs. “Let me know when I’m close enough. I wouldn’t want to disturb your shadows.”

“There.”

Coming to a halt, I faced where I assumed him to be and waited, trying not to fidget. “What do you see, Is?”

“Something impossible. Nothing to worry about.”

My brow cleared. “Oh good. I’m glad for that. This night is too peaceful for worry.”

“Kingsie will need to hear about this.” He sighed and shifted in the shadows again.

His head seemed far higher than what I remembered.

I wrinkled my nose. “Tell him, then, if you must.”

“He will need to see, Lady Patch.”

I peered down my body. “Is it the dress?”

“What dress?”

That was a no. “I hadn’t thought to venture out tonight is all.”

“Not tonight. This must be handled with care. Might I collect you before dusk tomorrow night?” he asked. He’d lost his cheer and gained a distracted irritation.

A shame. I was enjoying his visit.

Did I want to see Kingsie again tonight or any night? He’d broken my collarbone. I wouldn’t guess that he’d known it might heal so fast. Or did he never break it? I couldn’t recall what I’d chosen to believe on that front. “No, I think not. I care not for skulls any day.” I grimaced. “Please don’t tell him.”

“I wish you would reconsider.”

---