He turned away, leaving me alone on the castle steps.
I watched him go, feeling resolute. I wouldn’t cry. I’d wasted too many tears on him already. He’d left me twice now, and I wanted to hate him. I wanted every name I’d called him to be the complete truth. But instead of anger, I only felt emptiness.
When I entered the castle, unanswered questions plagued me.
Why can’t we be together? Is it really for the good of the kingdom, or is there more to it—something he isn’t telling me?
I stopped by a tall set of windows that spanned from floor to ceiling. As I looked out over the landscape, the bright moon glow lighting the forests and snow-capped peaks, a thought came to me. What if Kull wouldn’t take me back because I made him happy? Would he be betraying the memory of his father if he lived here in this castle where his father had lived, enjoying life and living happily? If that were the case, then perhaps I still had a chance with him. I only had to make him understand his own motivations. But now, I wasn’t sure I would ever get the chance.
I turned away from the window. My thoughts distracted me from keeping track of where I was going. Soon, I didn’t recognize any of the hallways I was passing through, when the sound of footsteps echoed behind me. Rounding, I found Prince Terminus walking with light footsteps toward me. His skin was paler than I was used to seeing, and the dark circles under his eyes made it look as if he hadn’t slept for a while.
“Prince Terminus,” I said, “are you well?”
He gave me a curt nod. “Yes, although it seems the crossing was quite a bit more difficult than expected and did not change us back to our true forms. I suspect the magic must not have been strong enough to transform us—or to heal our injuries. However, I am glad you have recovered. We were all worried about your health. I cannot help but feel responsible for putting you in harm’s way. This mission to retrieve our stone has not gone as smoothly as I’d expected, and now I fear I have caused great harm to not only you, but to others on Earth as well.”
His words reminded me of Brent. Was he okay? I hadn’t seen him get attacked, but in all the confusion, he could have easily been hurt… or worse. I tried not to let my thoughts go to a dark place. Brent could take care of himself. Still, when I got a chance, I’d have to return to Earth and make sure he was okay.
“Now that I have found you,” the prince said, “would you be able to come see my sister?”
“Is something wrong?”
He hesitated. “She is physically well. However, she has become quite distraught. I thought perhaps you could help her.”
“Sure,” I said to Terminus, “lead the way.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
I followed as he led me down the hallway and up a staircase. When we reached the top, we entered an open foyer and made our way to a door on the opposite end. He stopped at the door, knocked quietly, and then cracked it open.
“Sister,” he said, “it’s me. I’ve brought Olive.”
I followed him into the room, where I found the princess sitting in a high-backed chair near the room’s only window.
Delicate moonlight seeped through the window in spiderweb tendrils, lightly draping its beams on the stoic features of her young, childlike face. With her puffy eyes and swollen, red nose, it didn’t take a genius to realize she’d been crying.
“Hello Princess,” I said, coming to her side.
I found a stool and placed it near her. As I sat, I noticed she was holding a bouquet of flowers with dark purple petals that fanned out around a yellow center.
“The flowers are lovely.”
She glanced at the flowers. “Molfüsbane. They only grow here in the Wult Mountains. Terminus found them.” She glanced up at him. “He is very good to me. He takes care of me when our parents cannot.”
“You are fortunate to have him.”
She nodded, then pressed a handkerchief to her nose.
“Is everything all right?” I asked.
“I am fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Esmelda,” Terminus said from his spot near the door, “she is here to help you.”
“I understand, but… I really don’t need help. You shouldn’t waste your time worrying over me, Olive.”
“But I’m here, aren’t I? What’s troubling you?”
She shook her head. “Well, it’s…” She glanced at her brother. “It’s just… will I be stuck like this forever? It is so hard to walk about everywhere you must go—always walking.”
Her words sounded forced, making me question if something else had her troubled.
“Once we get the starstone back,” Prince Terminus said, “our magic will be strong enough to transform us once again.”
“But what if we do not get it back? What then?”
“Princess,” I said gently, “sometimes it’s best not to worry about the future, for the only moment you have power over is the one you’re in.”
She sniffled. “Yes, you are right.”
“I realize it must be frightening and strange to be stuck in this form, but it could be worse—you could have been changed into a slug.”
“Or a toad,” Terminus suggested.
She cracked a small smile.
“Or a dung beetle,” she said, playing along. “Yes,” she sighed, “I guess it is not so bad.”
“Is there anything else that has you troubled?” I asked.
She paused before answering. “I am quite hungry.”
“That’s easy enough to fix,” I said. “I’m sure we can find something in the kitchens. Shall I escort you?”
“Yes, I think that would be lovely. Thank you, Olive. You always seem to know how to lighten my mood.”
We stood, then followed Terminus out of the room and into the hallway. The torches burned bright, lighting the hallways in a serene glow. We passed through one quiet hallway after
