Page 97 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
The colors are brighter, and there’s a shift to them, like a printer error where one color is poking out under another. I can see the yellow and the blue that make the green of the blades of grass. The sky is clear, unlike in Oregon, and it’s a deep periwinkle. A breeze ruffles my hair.
I look up at the tree. The portal is still visible, so that’s good.
I make a small cairn by stacking up pebbles, which are lighter than they should be, to mark the tree. I’ll make other cairns as I go on, so that I can find my way back. Not sure why Hansel and Gretel ever thought that breadcrumbs would work—rocks are more reliable.
So, which way do I go now? And how will I even know who I’m looking for?
At least, now that I know where the portal is, I can come back as many times as necessary to search for the fae who stole my memory. I tug my shirt hem. Sounds like a plan.
“Who do we have here?” a voice calls. And then I’m surrounded by a group of luminous, misty beings, who must be fae, all of them aiming daggers toward me.
Dammit. I should’ve brought a sword.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
KALLE
“This should be a short trip, if all goes well,” I remark to Mats as we hike away from the castle with our security animals. We packed extremely lightly, since we’re planning on staying with the wood nymphs and not making any detours. I have my sword and a knapsack with a change of clothes. Mats is carrying his dagger and a small bag. We’re both wearing cloaks, and I brought the lantern Yinok gave me.
“Not that things ever go well,” he mutters.
I chuckle. “Still, is there any other way to begin a journey than with optimism?” He shrugs, so I grab him in a headlock. “Plus, I’m looking forward to spending some time with my baby brother.”
That makes him laugh, too, as he struggles to get free. “Fine, yes. Fine. Gods, you’re annoying.” His expression turns serious. “Though I appreciate you being willing to sacrifice yourself for the forest when I was out of pocket.”
“How was it in the Fae Realm?” I ask.
“It was wonderful. I could have only my own thoughts and not get distracted by other people’s.” Mats catches my eye as we walk past a rushing stream. “I’m so sorry for what happened. I didn’t mean for you to be forced to take my place. I just wanteda chance to think about what was going to happen and make sure I was good with it. As I said before, it felt like I was in the Fae Realm for a day, not weeks. I thought I was coming back in time for the wedding.” He clears his throat. “Though I’m still not thrilled with being told to marry her when I haven’t spent that much time with her.” He holds up his hand. “And yes, I am fully aware of our duty. But don’t you get tired of it?”
Mats can read my mind—and my emphatic agreement.
He nods. “Yeah, same. I can’t believe you were going to stand in for me.”
“It would’ve saved our realm, though.”
Groaning, Mats shoves my shoulder. “You’re so gods-damned noble, Kalle. Can’t you give it a rest and stop being so perfect? At least once in a while?”
I cough. “I believe that’s why we’re called nobility.”
He waves a hand. “I’m glad to see you being a little selfish about your relationship with Justice.”
“I like him. A lot.” An image of Justice comes into my head. Then a naughtier one.Don’t think about Justice naked.
Mats glares. “Eww. Gross.”
I laugh. “Sorry, I can’t help it.”
“But what about Princess Gabrielle? Are Mum and Dad still going to make you marry her?”
I freeze. They want me to marry a royal, but now they’ve met Justice. I hope they realize how much I care for him and reconsider their expectations.
Mats gives me a sympathetic look. “Let’s hope they don’t.”
We keep hiking until we’re tired, and then we call on a wood nymph, who feeds us and puts us up for the night in comfortable bunk beds.
The following day, we hike through the recently devastated part of the Northwest Forest. “Hang on a sec, Mats,” I say as we pass by some new growth of lupine and a few gopher holes.
“What is it?” he asks, then stops, because I’m sure my thoughts answer his question.
