Page 55 of Kingdom of Locks

“How did you get in here, Amell?” Mama Gail asked, her tone neither friendly nor hostile.

“I’m very pleased to meet you,” said Amell, bowing again. “Having missed you yesterday. As for how I got in here,” he glanced around the space, “it’s a bit of a mystery, to be honest. I found the clearing in the first place with the help of this shielding artifact.” He lifted his cloak slightly then let it drop. “But I don’t think that’s what got me past the restraining enchantment, because it didn’t help Honeysuckle when she tried to get out.”

“Yes, she’s told me all that,” said Mama Gail, her tone slightly defensive. “And it seems highly convenient that the one person who’s ever found us is apparently immune to the restraining enchantment.”

Amell shrugged. “I know it makes no sense. I wish I had an answer.”

“Did you find out anything that might help us get out of here?” Aurelia asked hopefully.

A regretful look came over Amell’s face, and Aurelia could almost feel the suspicion rising once again in Mama Gail.

“I have bad news there,” Amell said, biting his bottom lip in a troubled expression. Aurelia’s eyes were drawn to the gesture, fascinated. Mama Gail did that sometimes when she was thinking, but it looked very different on Amell. Much more distracting.

“What’s the bad news?” Mama Gail pressed.

Amell sighed. “I couldn’t tell anyone about you.”

“Why not?” Aurelia demanded.

“The magic,” Amell said. “At least, I assume it’s that. When I tried to speak of any aspect of what I saw in here, I just…couldn’t. The words wouldn’t come out. I couldn’t even nod in answer to a question.” He looked incredibly frustrated. “I’ve actually heard of such things before. A friend of mine experienced something similar, also connected with a powerful concealment enchantment.”

“It actually makes sense,” Mama Gail said, again sounding begrudging. “I’ve read in Cyfrin’s notes about his layered concealment magic, and I didn’t understand what it meant.”

“So…” Even as Aurelia lowered her head, her eyes darted up to study Amell’s face, trying not to let her disappointment show. “So there isn’t anything you can do, then? Did you come to say goodbye?”

Amell had been staring at her with a strange expression, but he started visibly at her words. “What?” he protested. “Of course not! I swore I’d get you out of here, and I will. It’s just going to be harder than I initially hoped.”

Aurelia brightened, lifting her head and smiling warmly at him. “I knew you weren’t full of false promises.” She gestured toward the seats ranged around their little wooden table. “Why don’t we sit down?”

“Wait.” Mama Gail threw a hand up. “First, I want to know who you are.” She frowned at Amell. “Who youreallyare.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, sounding cautious.

“My daughter told me you hesitated before giving your name. I want to know your real name.”

Amell’s eyes darted to Aurelia, and she felt herself coloring. “I did tell her that,” she acknowledged. “It sounded like you hesitated.”

He laughed. “I did, and I don’t in the least resent you saying so. But Amell is my real name. I only hesitated because I wasn’t sure whether to use my title.”

“What title is that?” demanded Mama Gail.

“Well,” said Amell, his leg bouncing again, “I suppose it’s…Prince Amell.” He looked a little sheepish. “Crown Prince Amell, if we’re being precise.”

Aurelia felt her mouth fall open. “You’re a prince? You’re Fernedell’s prince?” She folded her hands in front of her, then unfolded them, suddenly not sure what to do with any of her limbs. “Why didn’t you tell me that yesterday?”

“Yes,” Mama Gail pressed. “Why?”

Amell grimaced. “To be honest, it was just because I had no idea what I was dealing with. And,” he glanced apologetically at Aurelia. “I thought it might spook you.”

“I have no idea why you’d think that,” she said with dignity, as she crossed her arms, then changed her mind and folded them behind her back instead.

Amell’s lips twitched slightly. “I apologize for my error,” he said gravely.

She narrowed her eyes in suspicion, then let out a laugh. “All right, I’m a little intimidated,” she admitted. “But that’s really not saying much. You’re the third person I’ve met in my life, so chances were always high that I would be intimidated.”

Amell laughed as well, but apparently Mama Gail remained unimpressed. “That’s all very nice,” she said curtly, “but what is Fernedell’s prince doing wandering around the woods out here?”

“Searching for the inmates who escaped from the prison nearby,” Amell answered her seriously.

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