Page 78 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
Eleanor takes a deep breath. “I suppose I believe you. But how was I to know?”
“You’d be lucky to have him as a husband. He’s the best man on the planet,” I say, and Kalle reaches out and squeezes my hand, then drops it.Stop trying to make him more appealing to someone else.
Eleanor gives me a searching look. “That may be, but I want to marry for love. Don’t you?”
I nod, and after a moment, Kalle swallows hard and does the same. I barely restrain myself from tackling him with a hug.
“So we are agreed. I still need to find my brother. Do you have any idea where he is?” Kalle asks.
“Gabby heard a rumor that he was in the Fae Realm,” Eleanor says.
Kalle curses under his breath. He looks like he’s going to go storming out this instant.
“He’s not there anymore,” she adds hastily.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I was there yesterday—in our time—and he wasn’t.”
“Why were you there?” he asks.
“To learn magic,” she says. “It’s where I go with Gabby to practice. I didn’t see him.”
“It’s a big realm,” Kalle points out.
“Still, your brother is noticeable.” Her cheeks darken. I think she might really like Mats.
“And I bet he doesn’t want to be found,” I say. “If he can hear people’s thoughts, that would help him know where to hide, right?”
“This is true.” Kalle sighs. “Okay, so we are agreed that we are not getting married, although I’m sure our parents will have strong opinions about that. We’re going to have to find some other way to deescalate tensions.”
Eleanor nods. “Mother is very upset.” She exchanges a look with Prince Eckhart. “I should go talk with her and Mum.” She turns as if to leave, but Kalle stops her.
“Not so fast: You still haven’t told me how I get rid of the curse. You’ve made me live without being able to communicate properly for too long already.”
“Most people can’t communicate with animals,” she says.
“Don’t make me ask again,” Kalle says through gritted teeth.
Eleanor laughs. “What is the way to reverse most curses?”
“An antidote?” Kalle asks.
“Try again.”
“Taking an action that is the opposite of whatever you did to get cursed?”
“No,” she says.
Classic children’s movies spring to mind, and I shake my head. It can’t be that easy. Still, “A kiss?” I ask.
She gives us an enigmatic smile. “One way to find out.”
Then she leaves the room, taking her brother with her.
Kalle and I remain in the throne room, firelight shining off the polished stone. He rocks back on his heels, like he’s stunned by all that has happened in the past few moments.
“Want me to kiss you?” I ask.
