Page 77 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
I hadn’t realized how rusty I was at smiling. “Guess that’s not something I’m used to doing.”
“I can tell. Not everything is so serious, Your Highness,” he says, elbowing me.
We share a long look, but then his expression turns to one of worry. “What is it?” I ask.
“Where are we going to stay tonight?”
I tilt my head, unsure what the issue is.
“We will give you shelter,” Eckhart says.
Justice frowns. “Can I talk to you in private?” He pulls me to the side.
“What’s the matter?” I ask gently.
Justice leans over and speaks into my ear. “The threat from the Fire Realm isn’t going away immediately. Are we safe staying here?”
“While volcanoes can be brutal, and you don’t want to get anywhere near a pyroclastic flow?—”
“What’s that?”
“Think of it as a horrific landslide of hot ash and gas.”
Justice shudders. “Sorry I asked. Continue.”
“At this level—within the court—there are certain unwritten rules. If someone is a guest, even someone we might otherwise wish ill, we can drink wine together and behave with decency.”
“That’s very weird. I’d never consider staying in my enemy’s home.” His eyes dart over to where Eckhart and Eleanor are murmuring to each other.
“She may become my sister-in-law, if Mats marries her,” I point out.
“True. And I suppose I’d spend time in the Fae Realm if I needed to,” he muses. “To find my lost memory, I mean.”
“Right. It’s just part of being royal, I suppose. Games get played. And in this case, at least, it’s convenient. I think we’re both too tired to hike somewhere else to set up camp.”
“So you really think it’s safe for us to be here?” Justice asks.
“It should be.” I turn and address the prince and princess. “Will you guarantee our safety while we’re here if I promise to look for my brother once we leave?”
They look at each other. “Yes. We will talk with our mothers and ensure you will not be harmed.”
One of the fire queens isn’t entirely stable. I believe that she’s the one responsible for their expansion activities, but if she gives her word to her children, we should be okay for the night.
I hope. But first, I need to get back to a very important topic.
Chapter Twenty-Two
JUSTICE
“Remove my curse,” Kalle says. I’d probably have said please, but perhaps he’s exasperated. And tired. Oh man, are my legs aching from walking for days, and especially today, which was mostly uphill. And he’s asked her more than once.
The princess smirks. “Why would I do that?” She’s such a brat—although I don’t know what is going on behind the facade.
“Because you don’t need to hurt me anymore. We’re not getting married. I promise I’ll refuse if my parents bring it up again.”
“That would help.” She lowers her head. “I didn’t mind the idea of marrying Mats. He’s my … friend. But it’s not fair to expect me to marry someone different, just because Mats went missing, Kalle.”
“I agree. Just so you’re aware, if we had been wed, I never would’ve hurt you.”
