Page 152 of I Ran Away to Evil
“She’s a grown woman,” Chloe said, having walked in unannounced while the pair were still wondering what to do with the basket. “If it’ll make it easier,shecan light them on fire.”
Keith felt a small smile tug at his lip, imagining her doing just that. “I’ll bring it up. What can I do for you, Chloe?”
“I’m just saying goodbye,” the necromancer informed him. She had her long blonde hair in two braids and was wearing comfortable sky-blue riding clothes.“We’re off to help mother-in-law set up the Spring Ball and start writing the wedding invitations. So much to do, so little time.”
Keith mumbled, “You can say that again.”
She let Keith know the plans for the healers in her absence, and Keith was glad to see her off. The wedding plans were worse than the war plans, especially since Henrietta had actuallylikedwar planning. When Chloe had offered to include Ria in the wedding plans, the princess had shriveled up like a pile of expired adhesive that looked like it would shatter if you so much as poked it.
She was happy to talk about the wedding cake, and then she bravely ran away.
Speaking of running away, Keith glanced at the clock. It was time for his mandated break.
He played about in his workroom for a while until he had a working design for a construct limb that could be outfitted to a small ratkin. It would protect them from boiling water. He’d considered a full golem, but he had no idea what techniques were required to wash laundry. And in no universe would he just assume that the task was easy.
Instead, he focused on creating tools for the ratkin to use that would help them finish their tasks safe and secure.
When he stumbled into his room that night, tired but pleased with his work, he was met with a terrifying sight.
Rinrin stood in his chambers, a measuring stick in one hand and a long pair of glistening scissors in the other. Her eyes gleamed with an intensity that made him physically take a step back.
Too late. A ratkin closed the bedroom door just behind him.
“This Rinrin needs to fit your outfit for the ball, Master.” The scissors snapped twice as the royal seamstress walked slowly toward him. Keith tried to compose himself as every fiber of his being screamed to run away.
That wasn’t becoming of a Dark Lord, though, so he simply accepted his fate.
The ratkin smiled. “Now, stand very, very still, Your Viciousness. So Rinrin doesn’t cut you.”
CHAPTER 91
It’s Functional!
Henrietta
I stared at our luggage with wonder. It was like we were going off to war instead of a ball. Our things were loaded into a wagon pulled by an alligator dog lead by Sithli. It was almostoverflowingwith trunks and suitcases and boxes.
Couldn’t everything fit into a magic storage pouch?
We weren’t going to be traveling in the wagon, of course. The king of the Dark Enchanted Forest had his own ornate magical carriage, arching silver swirls like fire on an inky body so black it shined. I lifted up a hand, and a distorted reflection copied me in the sheen of the paneling. Instead of a living horse, a black brass construct horse named Fifi tossed her head and stamped the earth impatiently. Steam poured from her nostrils, and her eyes glowed with magical fire.
Keith walked up to me as I was admiring the work of art before me.
“I made Fifi back in my dark past,” Keith admitted. “When I enjoyed riding across the forest in full splendor and showing off for my soon-to-be subjects.”
I made appreciative noises at the construct, who accepted my admiration with a swish of her mane.
“But this”—Keith reached around me and opened one door to the carriage—“was my mother’s. She built it herself, I’m told, whenshewas a young girl.”
“Thank you.” I accepted his hand and climbed inside. Everything was inky-black soft leather with silver buttons. The seating was plush, and there was space for two on either side. “It’s beautiful.”
“And even better,” Keith sat down beside me, our legs touching. He reached over me and hooked his finger through a small loop, pulling up a little table that settled over my lap. He enthusiastically proclaimed, “It’s functional!”
I couldn’t help myself; I laughed. “I do like things that are beautifulandfunctional.”
My eyes fell on his lips, and I was tempted to attack him right there in the carriage. I held myself back—there was time for kissing later. “Do we have everything? How long is the trip by dark enchanted carriage? Who’s coming with us?”
“Hold on, let me answer your questions one at a time.” It was Keith’s turn to laugh. “Sithli and Lilith are coming, and we’ll have one night’s rest at the border inn before we arrive at Grand Duchess Calisto’s estate tomorrow morning. Everything has been double-checked, from clothing”—he shuddered almost imperceptibly—“to antidotes. You have Jacqueline and your enchanted jewelry. I have enough mana potions stored to keep me through an entiredayof [Mana Burn].”
