Prince Terminus stood before me. I wanted to look away, but as he took me in, with his steel-gray eyes, I felt his magic working.
“You do not want a flower?”
I wasn’t sure how to answer.
“I will not give a flower to you if that is your wish.”
“No, it’s okay.” Why did I say that?
“Very well.”
As he studied my face, the magic gathered around him. I felt its warmth on my skin. Fairy magic was harmless, so why did I feel so anxious? What did I fear he would find?
Lavender smoke rose from his hand, and after it dissipated, a small, coral-colored bud sat on his palm. It bloomed, revealing frilly, lacy-edged petals.
“The sunset fae flower,” he said, surprised. “You have the honor of being the first to receive this flower. How very unusual.”
“Why? What does it mean?”
“It is a fairy flower—only found on the mountain-cliffs near our home in Faythander. The meaning of the sunset flower is ‘may you not forget the one you love’.”
Until that moment, the murmur of conversation had filled the room, but now, everyone quieted. I couldn’t understand why until I glanced at the corner of the room where Heidel stood. King Skullsplitter had graced us with his presence. He stood beside his sister with his arms crossed, his eyes shadowed by a dark cowl.
Prince Terminus turned to the crowd. “Thank you, all! That is the last of it for now.”
A few people clapped before leaving, and some of them even offered tips to Terminus, which he politely refused. After they cleared out, I glanced at King Skullsplitter, who still stood beside his sister.
Despite everything I’d been through with that man—all the ups and downs, and all the crap I’d heard about him since then—I still needed to talk to him. It wouldn’t be easy. In fact, I dreaded it, but I mustered my courage, decided politeness would be my best tactic, and walked to where he and his sister were standing.
I cleared my throat. “Hi,” I said. “How are you feeling?”
He gave me a sidelong glance and then stared at the opposite wall. “Better.”
“Good. I’m very glad to hear it. I was afraid—well, we all were afraid—that you might have lost too much blood.”
It didn’t matter that it had been ten months. Standing here and talking to him now made my memories of better times surface.
Why can’t it be that way again?
“It seems you healed me when I was no longer meant for this world,” he said. “Once again, you have proven such a feat is possible for you to accomplish.”
His words stung. I knew he was referring to my inability to save his father when I’d had the chance.
“You were only injured. You weren’t dead. That makes a difference.”
“Does it?”
I eyed him. “Yes, it does.”
He smiled briefly, an expression that didn’t touch his eyes. “I find that difficult to believe.”
I wasn’t sure how to answer.
“Thank you for healing me.” He spoke without emotion.
“You’re welcome.”
He gave me a slight nod. “If you will excuse me.”
He turned on his heel and marched back to his chamber, leaving me alone with his sister.
Prince Terminus spoke to his sister, and then they both walked toward us.
“We have heard there has been another murder,” the prince said.
“You have?” I asked, surprised. “It only just happened. How did you know about it?”
“I overheard it,” the prince answered. “Is it true?”
“Yes,” I said, “it’s true. Mr. Kaufman was found dead in his kitchen. His body, like the first one, was wrapped in vines, and he had a flower like this in each of his eyes.” I reached in my pocket and pulled out the poppy.
Terminus took the flower from me. “Where did you get this?” he asked.
“From a Gypsy girl. She also had monkshood flowers in her basket. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. Can you tell me the meaning of the poppy?”
“It is the symbol for wealth and a good harvest—I am not sure what its implication may be. However,” he tapped his chin, “there are some who also believe these flowers to be an omen of death.”
“There must be more to it,” the princess said. “Perhaps the meaning is not in the flower itself.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Perhaps the meaning is in the flower’s color. Red is the color of our fairy stone.”
“The death of the fairies’ stone is nigh,” Prince Terminus suggested. “Could that be the meaning?”
“It’s a possibility. But if so, then what are we supposed to do about it? We still have no clue where this creature is or where the stone is located.”
“I feel as if the creature is taunting us,” the princess said. “I do not like this. It knows we are here. It knows what we have come to do. What is its purpose?”
“And why doesn’t it just leave?” I asked. “What purpose did it have in bringing the stone to earth?”
Prince Terminus shook his head. “I fear we will not have our answers until we know more about it. So far, we have very little to go on.”
I eyed the vines obscuring King Skullsplitter’s chamber. He’d been injured by something out there. “Has anyone asked him?” I asked, pointing toward Kull’s room.
“Do you think it’s wise to question him?” the princess asked.
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“He is king, of course. It would be prudent of us not to disturb him.”
“But he was attacked by something. Don’t you think it would be a good idea to find out what attacked him? For the greater good and all?”
Prince Terminus shook his head. “We dare not disturb him. He has sacrificed much to be here—he almost sacrificed his life. We will wait until he is ready to speak.”
I didn’t like their way of thinking. There were innocent people dying, and the fairies wanted to wait? What if King Skullsplitter decided next year would be a
