have given us, we will choose to live, to fight, and take back what is rightfully ours!” A cheer rose up, the cry so loud that snow shook from the branches overhead. Fergus jumped up beside me and pushed his palms through the air in a shushing motion. The Doonians quieted, but the determination shining from their faces didn’t wane as I continued. “What we must do will be uncomfortable and difficult at times, but if we work together and follow the Protector’s guidance, the witch cannot stand against us!” The cheer was subdued, but fists rose into the air, pumping in unity. Grime-coated faces mirroring my own exhaustion, beamed with new purpose.
Now, if I could just figure out how to accomplish that purpose.
Determining I could only take it one step at a time, and right now that step was to guide my people to safety, I jumped down from the wagon and led the way on foot with Fergus and two of my remaining royal guards flanking us on either side. The journey wasn’t far, but we would need to tread carefully. Keeping to the borders, we tromped through the snow, the soft powder muffling our movements, its relentless fall covering our tracks.
Almost an hour later, I swiped snowflakes from my lashes as we sloshed through a recent fall of slippery sleet, and excused Fergus to check the line. He’d known most everyone here his entire life, and they trusted him implicitly, so I’d tasked him with ensuring no one was left behind.
“Yer Majesty.” Lachlan stumbled up beside me, tugged by the ever-growing Blaz, whose head now reached my thigh. I ruffled the pup’s ears and he rubbed against me.
I missed having Blaz at my side, but Lachlan needed him more. The boy who’d once won a mock sword fight against Jamie to win my favor had ended up stealing a piece of my heart. Both of his parents had gone missing during the quake, but Lachlan refused to believe they were dead. Even with his brave face, I knew the dog brought him much-needed comfort and companionship. In fact, he’d given up a chance to escape to Alloway when he chased Blaz down during the quake.
“What’s up, Lachlan?”
His head slanted and his moss-green eyes reflected in the moonlight, taking on an amused look that said he didn’t quite understand what I’d said. “I was wonderin’.” He paused in thought. He couldn’t be more than ten years old, but he had the natural confidence and maturity of a born leader. “Perhaps hoverin’ near the dragon’s lair isna such a brilliant idea.”
I tilted my chin in his direction and arched a brow. Not the look Kenna had dubbed the Evil Highney, but close.
Wisely, he backpedaled. “I dinna wish to question yer judgement, ’tis just that the Crew wanted me to ask.” He shrugged and his voice trailed off.
I looped my arm through Lachlan’s and tugged him close, our joined momentum making our progress a bit easier. “Thank you for being my ambassador, Lachlan. Every member of the Crew is important to me. So you can tell them that because it’s forbidden by Doon law to approach the witch’s land, it’s the safest spot in the kingdom at the moment.”
“Will we use the old cottage for shelter, then?”
“No. There are artifacts inside that hold dark power.” As I’d learned the hard way when I’d removed a royal amulet and worn it for courage, not realizing it was slowly poisoning me with the remnants of an ancient curse. “But if we stay clear of the witch’s cabin, we’ll be fine.”
“But how will we know where her property starts? What if we accidently walk into it?”
Such a smart boy. “First of all, you’ll feel it. Dark magic is very heavy and there are wards surrounding the cottage. But there is also a border of enchanted black petunias. I’ll be sure to have them uncovered every morning so there is no mistake.”
“Right-o.” He lifted his hand in salute. “I’ll tell the others!”
I grinned at his use of slang. Clearly he’d been spending time with our resident Australian, Oliver Ambrose. Lachlan unhooked his arm from mine, and while tugging Blaz behind him, called over his shoulder, “Thank you, Yer Majesty!”
My hood flew back off my head, whipping strands of hair into my mouth and eyes, but I didn’t reposition the cloak. The air was still hard with cold, but the snow had softened to light flakes that melted like butter on my skin. “Ewan.”
The boy