A Captive of Wing and Feather A Retelling of Swan Lake - Melanie Cellier Page 0,41

helped their wounded pack mate along. And soon even those three had disappeared.

For a long moment we all stood frozen, Gabe with his string still drawn and Audrey with her branch raised. But no further animal sounds disturbed the forest, and we caught no more glimpses of gray between the trees.

“What just happened?” Audrey asked, voicing my own question.

Gabe gazed into the trees in the direction the animals had disappeared. “Wolves like to run after their prey. They don’t attack groups of stationary, armed humans.”

“And they generally hunt at night, as well,” Audrey reminded him. “I think we can safely say that was not a normal situation.”

I pulled out the paper and pen which I had kept from the last time Gabe handed them to me. When I finished writing, I angled my paper toward Gabe.

Much of my home kingdom had been filled with unnaturally aggressive wolves and other such creatures—starting from the descent of the curse.

“I think it’s time we investigated these rumors of strange beasts in the forest,” Gabe said in reply.

None of us much liked the idea of lingering in the forest to talk or plan, so we hurried directly back to town. Gabe walked in front, his hand tight around the grip of his bow, and I kept my eyes firmly fixed on his back. It was better than looking at the trees and wondering what might be lurking in them.

My swans flapped above us, quiet after the strange encounter. I was only glad none of them had been on the ground with us. Gazing at them as they soared silently through the air, I wondered if I should assign one of them—Sammy, maybe—to keep a watch on Gabe.

All we needed was for the impulsive prince to go rushing off on his own—as he had done the day before—only this time looking for wild wolf packs. I didn’t much like the idea of having to take the news of his death to the king and queen. And although Gabe himself discounted the idea, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Leander would be quite pleased if a wolf removed the crown prince for him.

The more the idea grew in my mind, the closer I watched Gabe’s back, as if I could keep him tethered to us by a stare alone. Audrey walked beside me, her own gaze flicking between the road and the trees. Her breathing had returned to a more steady rhythm, but she still hadn’t relinquished her hold on the stick. Only when we reached the outskirts of Brylee did she reluctantly leave it behind. Her subsequent suggestion that we not mention anything of our recent encounter to the others at the haven explained her willingness to cast it aside.

Gabe held onto his bow longer, but once we were firmly ensconced among the houses of the town, he returned it to his back.

“I think we should all avoid wandering around in the woods any more than need be,” Gabe said, just before we reached the haven’s doors.

I pulled out my paper again.

“As much as it can be avoided, certainly. But don’t worry, I won’t leave you to return to and from the lake unaccompanied. Not now.”

Because, yes, that was my concern. I rolled my eyes but didn’t attempt to refute him on paper. As Audrey opened the doors and stepped inside, he gripped my arm, holding me back for a moment and dropping his voice.

“We’ll make sure we head back to the lake with plenty of time this afternoon. And not just for safety. I need to talk to you while the sun’s still up because I need you to talk to your swans.”

He let go and stepped through the door without waiting for a response, and I was left blinking at an empty doorway. After a moment he reappeared, looking at me questioningly, and I shook my head and went inside.

Cora had launched a comprehensive spring clean, muttering the whole time about the building falling down around us. Somehow she even managed to draw Gabe into her efforts, the prince ending up on the roof, patching leaks. The woman was formidable.

Consequently, we were once again hurrying through the forest, having left later than we intended. I had insisted that we not leave the town together, waving the paper with my request in front of his nose until he at least agreed. If any wolves appeared on the fringes of the forest, I would throw awkwardness