The men’s voices called from below for Bonnie, Meira, and Agnë, with Jon complaining the loudest about being late for dinner.
“You better run, they sound famished.” Etheline chuckled, winking at Agnë. “The Fates know how much food it takes to fuel your giant.”
Choking on embarrassment, Agnë didn’t waste a second getting away from Etheline, curtseying, then bolting down, with Meira flying behind her.
Bonnie still hovered at the top of the stairs. “Any news on my cousin and Ornella? Is it true she’s with the Winter King?”
Etheline smiled widely. “Ornella freed Yulian from the dismal fate your mother subjected him to. And they dealt poetic justice to the evil that lurked in their lives. As for Keenan, he’ll no doubt return with interesting tales for you to chronicle soon.”
Bonnie frowned. “Is this all you’re telling me?”
“Yes. I’m not here to catch up, but to witness the last of my loose ends tying themselves at last.”
Bonnie nodded cautiously. “Good to know all is right in the world, then.”
Etheline let out a chilling laugh. “Far from it. The Folkshore is in for an interesting shake-up. In fact, I’ll steer clear of your world for a while. I’d hate to be involved in the conflicts of the gods and the Underworld.”
This reminded me of Princess Ariane and my last-minute rescue from the Horned God. But it was the conversation I’d eavesdropped on between him and the three-headed goddess that resonated with her words. Something about an insidious disease that could bring both our world and the divine realm toppling down.
I for one, didn’t want to know anything about this, if I didn’t absolutely have to.
“What gods?” Robin appeared by my side, as stealthy as ever, his grin turning into wide-eyed surprise as he saw the queen. “Etheline?”
She nodded gracefully. “Hello, Reynard.”
Robin and I shared a look of bewilderment.
Then we asked in unison, “You know her?”
“She’s the Spring Queen!” I said.
“She’s my aunt!” he said.
I swayed back, colliding with his chest. He held me protectively as we both faced Etheline.
“Aunt,” I mumbled in shock. “You never told me your mother was a fairy princess.”
“I never knew till this moment.” Robin seemed to find it as hard to speak. “Etheline visited me after my mother’s glamor faded, gave me my enchanted green cloak, and my bow and arrows. She never told me anything beyond our relationship and her name.”
“Are all fairy princesses this flighty?” I whispered, realizations piling up inside my mind. “Didn’t your mother also leave her betrothed, Bonnie—the one I’m just realizing was King Yulian?”
Etheline sighed. “Lureline didn’t have the excuse Bonnibel’s mother had for fleeing. She merely found life on the Folkshore mind-numbingly dull.” Etheline waved off further questions. “That’s the price of marrying a fairy. Your father knew what he was getting into. She’ll be back, eventually.”
Robin tensed behind me. “In that case, tell her not to bother.”
“Harsh, but as someone who was abandoned callously, I understand.” Etheline nodded, no doubt meaning my father breaking their engagement. “I hope I’ll be invited to your weddings, at least.”
“Will you show up anyway and curse our firstborn if we don’t?” I asked, mock-sweetly.
Etheline barely batted an eyelash. “No, your offspring will be of little importance. There is no statement to be made by cursing someone that far down the line of succession.”
That was the most reassuring thing I’d heard in ages. It further proved how right I was to defy my mother’s plans for me.
Robin loosened his protective hold on me to face Etheline. “If I have your word on that, it would be an honor to count you among my family party, along with Will’s family, and my army comrades.”
Etheline took our hands, clasping them between hers. “I eagerly await that day. Do you know when it will be?”
“We wanted it to be sooner,” I said. “But my cousin Cyrus’s wedding is next summer, and Bonnie and Leander will wed after his birthday in winter.” I looked up at Robin, saw my excitement reflected in his beautiful eyes. “So our wedding will be the spring after.”
“Spring. An appropriate time.” Of course, she would think that. “That will be a blink of an eye for me. But for you, treasure all the time you have together, for you have beaten the odds, and withstood radical changes to be the right ones for each other.” Etheline released our hands, sweeping away with a delicate wave. “Oh, and Fairuza? When you and Bonnibel feature me in your stories, don’t