Page 145 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
I’d told them that Commander General Rufus was traveling with their minstrel … and I’d left out that Commander General Rufus wasme. If a sharp gaze could cut, I would have been sliced to ribbons as everyone except Frida and Ross glared daggers at me. The latter just looked a bit disappointed and shell-shocked. Even Nicole, the shy selkie from Plittsmouth, had popped her razor-sharp claws while hiding in the back. I was surprised she wasn’t hiding in her room until the show; she was usuallythatanxious about crowds.
“If it helps,” I confessed, “I didn’t tell Minstrel Bronwynn either?”
It didn’t help. Bronwynn dropped my hand, and the feeling of loss left me wondering if I was ever going to be able to breathe freely again. The grip on my chest made it hard to draw anything more than a shallow breath …
And all the while, my cursed [Natural Poise] was keeping me from falling apart at the seams.
One of the fans at the back of the group, a naga named Lance, whispered to the preela girl beside him, “I hope we get a cool song out of this.”
I searched Bronwynn’s eyes, and there was something in them that gave me hope. She wasn’t angry or sad or frustrated … She wasconsidering.
Finally, she opened her mouth. “Meow.”
And there was Slake, arriving at theleast opportune moment. His black body wound its way through the group, and then the grimalcat leaped onto my shoulder, settling himself in. “Rufus, I’ve just come from the palace. Their Royal Highness has summoned you.”
“What?” I didn’t ask how the grimalcat could also recognize me. He was a grimalcat; it could be as easy as recognizing my vest or recognizing the taste of my soul. Grimalcat lore was still questioning if the beasts ate souls.
Slake lay down comfortably on my shoulder and licked one paw delicately. “Since Their Royal Highness is worried about the excitement around Bastian’s wedding and everyone is already here, the meeting has been called early.”
Bronwynn was still looking at me, considering, when she said words that crushed my heart and ate away at my own soul. “You should go.”
The fan group was quiet, staring between their idol, myself, and agrimalcat. It was probably the grimalcat that truly prevented them from hauling me off in an angry mob for questioning.
“Bronwynn—” Her name was on my lips even as she shook her head, rejecting anything I might have to say.
“You need to go and do your quest,” she decided. “We can talk later.” A strange look passed over her face. She glanced between me and the fan club and back. “You’ll know where to find me.”
I stood there as she waved politely to everyone and pulled Donna to the stable around back, leaving me standing rooted to the spot like a dejected treant. The entire situation had gotten out of hand.
“Frida, Ross …” I started, trying to salvage what little calm I’d left. “I wanted to tell you in person. I’m sorry you had to find out like this.”
The fae woman tilted her head, and the vines draping from her antlers swayed delicately through the air. The faint sound of wind chimes accompanied her head tilt. “You speak the truth, so I will think on this matter.”
“Thank you.” I reached up and pet Slake. The grimalcat allowed it. “Well, everyone … maybe I’ll see you at Minstrel Bronwynn’s performance tonight—assuming she doesn’t have me barred.”
“She didn’t outright dump you!” Nelly the catkin tried to cheer me up.
Lance added, “And she’s still talking to you, even if it’s to dump you later.”
“Lance.” The preela shook her head.
“I’ll hand over my crystal tonight if everyone wants to pick a new leader.” I sighed, slouching forward as much as my [Natural Poise] allowed.
There was a quiet as the group processed what I’d said. For a mob on the verge of ripping me to shreds mere minutes ago, they were surprisingly calm about the entire affair, though Ross fluttered about with his arms crossed and a frown on his face.
The little pixie said, “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why are you stepping down as the leader?” he asked. He touched down on Frida’s shoulder again and promptly sat down. There were murmurs among the group that reflected the same confusion.
“Because …” I paused. There were so many reasons, and yet none of them came readily to voice. The hidden identity, courting Bronwynn, or simply that the group had lost faith in me should have been enough.
“Areyou dating Minstrel Bronwynn?” Nelly asked, her sleek brown ears twitching. She was in a purple dress with a serviceable apron with both hands on her hips demanding an answer.
“I am, was? Iamcourting the half giantess.” What our relationship was going to look like by tomorrow might change … but as of right now, that still remained to be seen.
“So,” the catkin reasoned, “you will have firsthand knowledge of what she likes, all of her shows, what her favorite foods are, and what she’s doing? All the time?”
