27 Iridea When things went to shit, I used to go to Evelena’s garden. Seeing as I’ve run away from home, I find the nearest servant and ask if there’s a garden in the castle. They point me in a direction and I wander until a cool breeze ruffles the hair on my arms. I must have worked my way around the Castle where the sun breaks into the mountain. I follow the shafts of light until I reach a wide circle of elegant pointed arches, possibly elven in style. Somehow, in the con

27 Iridea There is not a doubt in my mind that the feathery prick has other plans for Stellina. Her room is separated from mine and Hawthorne’s to, I suspect, create a gap where the king can snivel his rat-nosed, mutton-chopped head through and squeak past us to the ‘Star Elf’. He’ll have to do better than that. Estranged sleeping arrangements won’t stop Hawthorne knocking on our doors for new adventures and I am not so easily talked over. Second of all, I’m convinced that h

We duck and weave through the needle trees, not knowing what we are looking for.

Stellina brings Iridea and I into her room when we return to the palace. She collapses into a heap of pillows, already prepared at the foot of her bed. Her room is bigger than mine, but I suppose that’s to be expected...

The Star Elf peers at the gathered crowd from behind navy curtains. She is dressed in a gown suited for a queen; the top white, the bottom bleeding into midnight...

Cedar holds me steady while thunderous feet shake the nursing bed.

23 Stellina The guards are stoic, faceless behind their masks; could there really be a person within all that metal? Iridea receives no...

22.2 Hawthorne By the time I wake, Iridea has already delivered the letters to the mailboy. I rub my eyes to release what sleep remains...

22 Hawthorne I rise from the stiff pillow out of thick oily reveries and swing my feet onto the wooden floor. My boots remain firmly on...

21 Lillian All the strength drains from me the moment I reach Grot. My mission is complete and I can now peacefully give up. My leg...