The next day Aunt Serena woke me up early. My things were already packed, so we had a quick breakfast of hot chocolate and cinnamon-nut bread—with dollops of strawberry butter smeared all over—while we got ready to leave for Evolon. Snow would not be going with me. Uncle Gabriel had said that having her around would raise too many questions, and I was supposed to blend in. I went down to the stables to say goodbye. I really hoped I would be able to see her again soon.
Uncle Gabriel rode with us out of the town with an escort of castle guards. When we reached the edge of the woods, he held up his hand and ordered the guards to go no further. My granduncle led his horse into the forest and gestured for us to follow while the guards stayed behind, guarding the perimeter.
I looked back. “Aren’t the guards coming with us?” Was Uncle Gabriel sending me off with only Aunt Serena and Erien for protection? What if we came across bandits or Shadow Guards?
Uncle Gabriel stopped his horse and got down in a small clearing. I followed, as did Aunt Serena and Erien. He must have sensed my distress, because he lowered his voice and put an arm around my shoulder. “Do not worry so much, my dear.” His voice was kind. “The guards draw too much attention. But I would not send you on such a journey without adequate protection.”
My eyes lit up with hope. “You’re coming with us?”
Uncle Gabriel shook his head. “No, my dear, I cannot this time, but I have sent for someone who is more than capable of protecting you all and seeing you safely to your destination.”
I looked around. “Who?”
I followed Uncle Gabriel’s gaze to a tree at the edge of the clearing. My heart leapt in my chest, as I tried to keep my face impassive.
Rafe leaned lazily against an old willow tree. His arms were crossed, and he stared intently at me. He wore his signature black cloak and mask, but I had no doubt who it was. I was glad he was back; if Rafe were going with us, I was positive that I would be absolutely safe.
Rafe pushed himself away from the tree and walked over to us. “Gabriel.” Rafe inclined his head to my granduncle.
“Rafe,” said Uncle Gabriel, “thank you for your help. I hope I don’t need to remind you to make sure no one finds out her true identity.”
Rafe nodded. “I shall take care of it.”
“Good.” Uncle Gabriel clapped Rafe on the back. “Then I think you should be on your way.”
Aunt Serena hugged her father, as did Erien.
Uncle Gabriel turned to me. “Remember what I’ve told you, Aurora.” His tone was serious as he gave me a leg up onto my chestnut mare. “Keep a low profile in school, and keep your amulet on at all times. We do not want anyone sensing the extent of your powers.”
I nodded.
“There is something else,” he went on. “I have not informed Penelope Plumpleberry that you are a fae-mage. For now, let us keep it like that.”
“Why? I thought you trusted her.”
“I do,” said Uncle Gabriel, “but powers like yours can scare even the most loyal of people. The fewer people who know of your special gift, the better.”
“But Rafe knows?”
Uncle Gabriel nodded. “I explained this before. He knows because I trust him, and as you can see, he helps me once in a while.”
“Tell me who he is, please?” I asked softly, bending down slightly off my horse, hopeful that he would give me some sort of answer.
Uncle Gabriel smiled, and his azure eyes twinkled mischievously. “Why, he’s the Black Wolf, my dear.”
I huffed at his vague answer but nodded nonetheless. It was obvious he was as close-lipped about Rafe’s true identity as everyone else, and I figured Rafe was right, it didn’t matter who he really was; what really mattered was that he was here, and I was going to spend the next few days with him. I couldn’t help the spark I felt when I saw him, but I didn’t want him to know how I felt.
“Take care of yourself, little one,” Uncle Gabriel said, waving me off.
Rafe leapt up onto his black monster of a horse, and I had to struggle with the reins of my mare, who had decided that all she wanted to do was follow the big black stallion.
I rolled my eyes and waved a final goodbye to Uncle Gabriel as we rode through the Willow Woods and onward into the world beyond.
Journey to Evolon
We rode in silence through the forest, stopping only to rest the horses and fill our leather water flasks from small forest pools. Rafe seemed preoccupied and kept to himself most of the time. Erien and Aunt Serena didn’t seem like they wanted to talk, so I followed quietly and wondered if I would get a bed to sleep on that night.
It turned out I was not going to get my wish. As the sun set behind the trees, the quiet woods became a menacing maze of dark shadows and hidden dangers. Rafe led us to a small clearing, which was sheltered by an overhanging rock. He and Erien set up camp while I helped Aunt Serena water the horses and tie them to a tree.
Aunt Serena unpacked our food of bread and salted meat slices while we sat around a small fire that Rafe had lit. The castle cook had also packed some pigeon pies. I loved those, so I wolfed down a few, along with some sort of smelly cheese.
“Do you think we should put out the fire, Rafe?” said Aunt Serena.
“That will not be necessary. The forest gets cold at night. I will keep watch.” Rafe sat himself down against a sprawling willow with his sword across his knees. “Get some rest. It will be a long ride tomorrow, and we have to make
