Page 58 of Kingdom of Feathers

She had been standing on flat rock a moment before, but she suddenly felt her slipper snag on a trailing root, and she wobbled dangerously. Just as she regained her balance, she felt another root connect with her other foot, which she hadn’t even moved. As she waved her arms wildly, trying to right herself, she felt the roots actually wrap around her ankles and tug.

Only just remembering not to scream aloud, she toppled from the edge of the ridge, too stunned even to take a preparatory breath before she hit the water.

It wasn’t a dangerous height to fall from, but it was enough to send her deep into the pond. She flailed her arms wildly, her body responding to the unpleasant cold of the water. Her head had just broken the surface when she once again felt something around her ankle.

She pulled her leg up frantically, wondering how she’d become so entangled that she’d ripped the root out with her as she fell. But her foot wouldn’t come loose, and a moment later, she was tugged back below the surface. Opening her eyes, she strained to see through the murky water. Catching sight of her ankle, she let out an involuntary gasp that filled her mouth with pond water.

It wasn’t a root tangled around her foot. It was the weeds growing from the bottom of the pond, reaching up impossibly, wrapping themselves around her ankle and attempting to pull her down. As she thrashed wildly and ineffectually, already desperate for air, another weed shot out and wound around her other ankle.

Wren fought her panic, trying to make the movements of her arms precise and deliberate. She just had to propel herself back to the surface. The weeds surely weren’t strong. But she could make no progress against them, and a desperate glance upward showed that the surface was higher above her than she’d realized.

She bent her body in the water, trying frantically to pull the weeds off her, but she was running out of time. Her body started convulsing, and her mind wouldn’t work properly. She let go of the weeds, drifting back into an upright position as blackness threatened.

Suddenly a sharp pain at one ankle brought her back to full awareness. She looked down to see a white shape gleaming through the murkiness. Another swan arrived, and another, and soon four of them were pecking and tugging viciously at the weeds, ripping the plants apart with their beaks. They accidentally pecked her more than once, but she welcomed the pain, knowing it was all that was keeping her conscious. Within moments, the four of them had her free, and they swarmed around her. Lyall and Averett snaked their way under each of her shoulders, and she felt the water churn as their powerful feet propelled her to the surface.

When her head broke, she gasped and spluttered, still not immediately able to get air. She could see Caleb across the pond, swimming in her direction as quickly as his injuries would allow.

Averett and Lyall didn’t wait for him. They kept swimming, tugging Wren toward the shore. Ari swam ahead, his wings beating the water in agitation, and Conan brought up the rear. When they deposited Wren on the shore, she pulled herself onto her hands and knees, coughing up the last of the water.

Wren!Ari’s terrified voice sounded in her mind as he huddled against her.Are you all right? What happened?

I fell, she rasped, her internal voice somehow as hoarse as her audible one would be if she could speak aloud.From the ledge with the waterfall.

Ari turned away, presumably to communicate this information to the others, but Wren seized his leg urgently. She could already hear shouts, and she could see the guards from one of the castle entrances hurrying toward her. She needed to tell the truth to someone who’d believe her.

Ari, she said urgently,it wasn’t an accident. The plants—the roots on the ledge, and the weeds in the water—camefor me.

Her brother’s beak fell open, and he seemed lost for words. There was no time for more. The guards converged on Wren, followed closely by a maid who seemed on the verge of hysterics.

Before Wren well knew what was happening, she found herself in her own rooms, with her feet in a bucket of hot water, a stern but pale-faced governess plying her with towels, and her father’s physician bending over her.

“She’ll be fine,” he said soothingly to Wren’s parents, both of whom were watching him anxiously. He smiled at Wren. “You’re none the worse for wear, Your Highness. But perhaps stay away from any water-facing cliffs for a while, hm?”

She gave a weary smile, nodding her thanks.

Her mother hurried in to take the physician’s place, clasping Wren’s hand in one of her own.

“You’ll not be going anywhere near the gardens at all,” King Lloyd said, his voice strained.

Wren gave a protesting gasp, frowning at him. He couldn’t take away her sanctuary. How would she see the boys if she wasn’t allowed out there, and they weren’t allowed in the castle?

“I mean it, Wren,” said King Lloyd. “Do you realize you almost died?”

She gave him a look. Of course she realized. But the terror in his eyes made her rein in her exasperation. He thought he’d just come close to losing his last remaining child. He was allowed to be upset, even a little unreasonable.

She fished her slate out of her sodden pocket, using a corner of the towel wrapped around her shoulders to dry it off.

I’ll be more careful, I promise.

Her mother squeezed her hand, looking close to tears, but the king wasn’t mollified.

“What happened, Wren?” he demanded. “How could you be so careless in the first place?”

She shook her head, scribbling again.

Not careless. Not accident. Weeds came after me. Magic.

Queen Liana gave a gasp, her eyes flying to her husband as one hand jumped to her mouth.

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