Page 57 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
“That’s what we do.”
It takes me a while to answer. “I feel like I don’t have the luxury of feeling resentful. Duty is something I can’t question.”
“Of course you can question it,” Justice starts, but I shake my head.
“You won’t understand.”
“Try me.”
I glance up at the clouds. “A long time ago, my family decided that they were going to step up and be the leaders of our realm. We weren’t elected. The people could choose not to follow us. If I don’t fulfill my duties and take care of those we represent, then we aren’t fit to rule.”
“That’s honorable, and I understand wanting to uphold your family honor, but what I don’t get is whythismarriage, specifically, is needed.”
“There’s something going on with my parents that I don’t fully understand. Some bargain with the fae.”
Justice shudders.
“But they’ve made it clear that an alliance,thisalliance, will stop the volcano and fix their problems with the fae. End of story.”
“All right,” he says quietly. He throws another twig in the water. “Guess I’ll never fully understand your family dynamics.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
He picks a blade of grass and shakes his head. “It’s just me and my mom. I don’t remember my father. He left when I was really young.”
“Where did you grow up?”
“Princedelphia. I think. I don’t have very many memories of my childhood. Only some photos in an album my mom made. She still lives there, but she’s in Seattle right now, staying with a friend of hers who fell and broke a hip.”
“That’s nice of her.”
“She’s a kind woman.”
“Like her son.”
I hear a rustling behind us, and before I can decide whether to draw my sword, the tiniest deer I’ve ever seen appears from between a couple of bushes.
I smile at her. “Hey, sweetie,” I say in English. I know she won’t understand me, but I can still try to be hospitable.
The fawn nibbles on some underbrush, then walks over to us and curls up next to me, going to sleep.
“So, that happened,” Justice says, his eyes wide. “I’ve never had a baby deer just come and hang out before.”
“Deer are cool,” I say.
I don’t know what she’s thinking. I don’t know what her name is. But I do know that she is a sweetheart and all cuddly and warm.
“She’s super cute.”
After a while, the fawn rouses. “Where is your mama?” I ask her. She doesn’t answer, of course. “Do you want us to walk you back to your family? We are going to Icedonia, but I’m not sure where you are from.”
The deer gets to her feet. Perhaps she understands my intent, even if I don’t understand her.
“Then come on. You can join me and Justice. We are journeying to find Princess Eleanor.”
I wish she could talk to me, and I hope no more firecats are nearby.
I look at Justice. “Shall we see where this little one wants to take us?”
