The Holly Oak’s dark brows furrowed. “Be careful, Poppy. Hope is food for the soul of every living being—yours included, but it can lead us astray. What you hope for is possible. The Soul Jar might have your parents. It is also possible this has not taken place.”
Poppy swallowed the bitterness in her throat, grateful to have Mack and Nula at her side. “If they’re trapped I’ll find them,” Poppy insisted. She wouldn’t allow even a sliver of doubt to ring in her words. They were alive and they needed her help. She would help them. That had to be the end of it. If she heard even the tiniest bit of doubt in her own voice, she might stop believing she could do it.
The tree considered her and frowned. “The Grimwood is no place for children. My advice to you—go home and wait. This forest is perilous during the day, and even more so at night.”
Poppy shook her head. “I’m not going home. I’m going to find the Soul Jar and get my parents out.” Mack’s breath caught at the brazenness of her tone, but it was only the truth. To give the Holly Oak less would be wrong.
“Very well…” The tree gave an amused snort that was so unexpected, it made Nula snort too. “I will not force you. To do so would cost me more than I can spare. You must make your own choices, and suffer your own consequences.”
Poppy gritted her teeth. “Can you explain how the maledictions work or—or who might have altered one? Can you do anything to help? What about the Soul Jar? Do you know anything more about that? Will you?”
For a moment, the Holly Oak looked almost sad. “Will I what?”
“Will you help?”
“I am many things, Poppy Sunshine. I am not without power, but I am rooted here. There is very little I can do to help you.” The tree brushed one hand over her lap, sending the leaves rustling as if in a breeze. “What I can do, I will.” She paused. “When I first met your parents, I acknowledged their right to hunt maledictions. Permission was not mine to withhold, and it seemed only fair. To show that I understood their reasoning, I even acknowledged their bravery, and sacrifice, as only I am able.”
Poppy and Mack shared a look. She had always wondered if the Holly Oak made her house. Now she knew.
“As to your other questions,” the Oak continued. “The answers are: I cannot, I could only guess, I will try, what about it, no, and as I said … if I can.”
Poppy scowled, trying to remember what she’d asked to match up the answers. Her chest grew tight, but when she looked up into the Holly Oak’s face, she was surprised to find the tree’s hazel eyes glistening with sap. “I’ve not had dealings with many of your people, but David and Jasmine have my respect—they are better than most. I would like to help you.
“You asked about the nature of the maledictions. I am sorry that I cannot give you more of the answers you’re seeking. There are things I cannot say.”
Mack reached to grip Poppy’s shoulder. “Cannot, or will not?”
The Holly Oak shifted, lifting her sap-stained face to Mack. “Cannot.” She grimaced. “What I have told you already was uncomfortable for me.”
Mack gave a stiff nod. “I understand.”
A smile played over the Holly Oak’s mouth, never quite landing. “I’ve always liked elves. You are wise observers. Almost as wise as trees.” She held out her palms. “I am rooted. My senses allow me knowledge, but my magic lies in the trees and soil. I have done what I can.”
Poppy clenched her fists. “But you haven’t done anything!”
The Holly Oak smiled gently at her. “Your parents did not share with me how clever you are. Stubborn, disobedient, impulsive … all those qualities they told me of, but they left out how clever you are.”
Poppy sputtered, unsure whether she was being complimented or insulted.
The tree considered her, tapping her chin with one long finger. The gesture made her look strangely human. She gave Poppy a meaningful look. “I told you it is my magic that holds us all together. You must understand that all magic comes with a cost.” She stiffened and gave a small sudden gasp. Her slender fingers clutched at her head.
Poppy reached out. “Are you all right?”
A shiver of leaves, and the tree slowly straightened. Poppy gasped. The Oak’s face was streaked in sparkling black.
“I am fine. Thank you.” But the Holly Oak’s voice was ragged, and Poppy couldn’t stop looking at the streaks that now marred her face.
The Holly Oak turned to consider Mack, and then Nula. Her eyes rested for some time on Dog. “Your parents gave you a gift that is fit for a queen,” she said, and Poppy caught a fleeting look of sorrow, or perhaps regret, cross her face. It was gone before she could be sure.
“I’m not certain you were wise to bring them,” the tree added, and Poppy wondered whether she was referring to Dog, or to Mack and Nula. Regardless, she knew the Holly Oak was right. It had been selfish of her to want them with her.
The Holly Oak pointed one finger at her. “Do not get yourself killed, Poppy Sunshine. If your parents are not dead—if they escape and you are not alive to see it, I will never hear the end of it.”
Poppy flushed. Before she could stop herself, one more question slipped out. “What now?” she asked.
The tree shifted, her form moving in and out of the bark of the tree as if she were speaking from behind a thin veil—a breeze shifting it so that Poppy had to narrow her eyes to track her. She was much taller than Poppy had realized.
“Well,” the Holly Oak’s voice began to fade as her form sank back from the surface. “Since you will not do what you should,
