how we get through that gate, I’m listening.”
She faced him again. “What about going for your mother?”
He couldn’t answer for a second. “I would love to check on her. See if she’d go back with us, but I don’t think I have time.” He looked past Theo at the guard. “And that doesn’t solve this problem.”
“I would really like you to be able to check on your mother. What if you went to her now while I get my father through the portal, then I’ll come back and try to catch up to you? With him safe, we’d have a little more leeway.”
“But we have so little time. Dawn will be here before you know it. From here, it’ll take at least twenty minutes to get to the highlands. And I have no idea what kind of reception I’ll get when I arrive.”
“Then wait for me to take my father through, and when I return, I’ll go with you. She might open the door for me. That would at least give you a chance to speak to her.” Her gaze held such sweetness and sincerity he didn’t want to say no. “This could be your last opportunity.”
He took a breath, hoping to clear the sudden ache in his chest. “I know.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll take my dad through, then come back and join you so we can see about your mom.”
“You have a plan to get past the guard?”
“Sort of.” She slipped by him to get to her father.
He hoped her plan, whatever it was, would work. There were a thousand ways it might go wrong. But now that Theo had brought it up, he didn’t want to leave without checking on his mother. Even if just to hear straight from her that she never wanted to see or talk to him again.
Humans called it closure. He needed that. To no longer wonder what if. To give his heart a chance to heal.
Theo faced her father. “Dad, I’m about to do something that might shock you, but we’re in a situation where I don’t see any other way out than for me to make use of a very special gift I have.”
Welten smiled. “You’re going to shift into someone else?”
Theo’s mouth fell open. “You know?”
“Girl, your mother and I didn’t have any secrets from each other. Yes, I know. Now, go on and do what you need to do so you can get back and help the lad with his mother.”
“Well, then.” She snorted. “All right, just go along with whatever happens.”
Welten nodded. “Will do.”
Before their eyes, Theo disappeared. A faint buzzing filled the air as a swamp fly darted past them and through the servants’ gate.
A second later, “Queen Vesta” approached from inside the castle. Her blue caftan billowed out around her. She stood behind the guard for a moment. Robin held his breath until she looked in their direction and gave him a wink. Then she scowled again and snapped her fingers. “Guard.”
The guard startled, turning sharply and coming to attention. “Your Highness.”
“There is a leak in the west dungeon wall. See to it immediately. I do not want that dampness seeping up to my quarters.”
That was good, Robin thought. There was always a leak in the dungeon somewhere.
“Your Highness, I…I’m assigned to this gate. And I don’t know the first thing about fixing leaky walls.”
She looked at the entrance, lip curling. “This is the servants’ gate. Why on earth does it even need guarding?” Then she leaned in with a haughtiness that seemed like it had come from years of practice. “And patching a leak simply requires mortar, you fool. Now go. Before I have you thrown to the eels.”
He blanched, nodded, and darted away. She turned to watch him, then after a few seconds, motioned to Welten.
Robin patted the man on the back. “Coast looks clear. I’ll see you back at the house.”
“Thanks for helping my girl, lad.” With a nod, Welten took off. He wasn’t fast, but he made it across the bridge safely.
Theo, still in Vesta’s form, gave Robin a glance, then she and her father disappeared into the darkness of the castle’s courtyard.
He wasn’t sure how long it would take her to get the portal open, get them both through, then return. She’d have to give Amelia a little explanation. She couldn’t just drop her father and go.
Minutes ticked by, and although the sky wasn’t really lightening, Robin felt like he could feel the dawn coming. He scratched at his beard. It was