“I don’t understand what’s going on with you. But he will kill you,” Gula said. “I’m telling you this as a friend. You need to bring him the girl before he destroys you. I like you, and I don’t want to learn to deal with some new jerk because you let a pretty girl dazzle you.”

“I can’t do it.” The pain in his chest and stomach intensified and Lux squirmed uncomfortably. “I don’t care what he does to me. I can’t bring her to him.”

“You’re putting her needs in front of your own?” Gula asked skeptically.

“It appears that way,” Lux sighed and rubbed his temple. He’d never put anyone before himself, and it was such a horrible time to start.

“You’re freaking me out a little bit,” Gula said.

“It’s freaking me out,” Lux admitted drearily and took another drink of his mead. “So what am I to expect from him? Total and utter destruction?

“I don’t know why I’m telling you this,” Gula exhaled.

“Telling me what?” Lux cocked his head at him.

“He’s going after the girl.” He rested his burly arms on the table and leaned in. “He’s not concerned with you, at least not right now.”

“What do you mean he’s going after the girl?” Lux moved in his seat, facing Gula more face on. “He’s personally going to find her?”

“No, not yet, but he’s using everything he has,” Gula said. “He’s sending Ira and the canu after her.”

“Ira? The canu?” Lux asked incredulously. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

Gula was taken back his response. “I didn’t realize it was so important.”

“I’ve got to go.” Lux finished his drink in one quick swallow, relishing the way it burned bitterly down his throat, and got to his feet. “Thanks for your help.”

“Where are you going?” Gula looked up at him, getting more shocked and confused.

“I can’t let them find her. You know what they’ll do to her.” Lux shook his head and backed away to the door. “I have to get her first.”

Gula stared after him, his eyes wide and confused. As soon as he’d heard Ira’s name, Lux’s stomach had twisted painfully. The canu were bad enough, but he should’ve expected them. Ira, on the other hand, had a temper far worse than Valefor’s. Even if Valefor commanded Ira to bring Lily to him alive, which Lux wasn’t even sure was the case, it would be more likely that she would upset him, and Ira would kill her or hurt her.

The sun had already started setting, meaning Lux would have to go into the Necrosilvam in the dark to look for Lily. He didn’t care about the creatures in there, since they could do little to hurt him, but she’d be harder to find. Assuming she’d made it alive through the first night.

As he raced to the forest, he cursed himself for leaving her alone like that. What had he been thinking? The Necrosilvam was no place for a young girl, especially not one who’d had the peccati after her. He should’ve known that Valefor would send them after her. Truthfully, Lux was just lucky he hadn’t summoned all of them yet, and that his attention was focused on Lily so far.

That made him nervous, too. What was so special about Lily that Valefor wouldn’t even waste his anger on Lux for betraying him?

6

Throughout the day, as Lily helped her gather things from the forest, Wick had repeatedly said that she should take Lily back to the palace. For as often as she threatened it, though, she never made a move to make good on it. She’d just mumble it under her breath while Lily gathered toadstools, and that would be that.

Lily’s gown had been ruined from falling in the dirt, and Wick let her wear one of her faded dresses. The forest felt only slightly less terrifying in the warm light of the sun as they gathered supplies. Mostly it appeared to be things for Wick’s potions and spells, but a few things were for them to eat. Sometimes, it was hard to tell the difference, and Lily found that a little unnerving.

As soon as the sky started to redden from the setting sun, Wick demanded they go back in doors. Just because she could fight the night creatures didn’t mean she wanted to. Lily could already hear the rumblings of the forest coming alive, but everything felt eerily silent and still as soon as they reached the clearing around Wick’s cottage.

“Nothing bothers you here, does it?” Lily asked as they walked up to the cottage.

Wick carried a basket under her arm, filled with the treasures from their day’s work. Her cloak draped over her shoulders, but she left the hood down today so Lily could see her face.

“Nothing but lost princesses.” Wick looked back over her shoulder, giving Lily a small smile to let her know she was only teasing.

“I’m not a princess,” Lily muttered, but her attention had already wavered from the conversation.

The apple tree Lily noticed outside the cottage last night, the only living tree in the woods, was even more peculiar than she had originally thought. Wick had already opened the door and gone inside the cottage, but Lily paused outside to admire the tree.

The narrow trunk and branches were twisted and wound around, like thread in a rope, and the bark looked almost black. The green leaves were shaped like tear drops and stood out against the barren backdrop of the forest. But most strange were the apples that hung precariously from the branches, all of them a bright shade of violet.

“Are these really apples?” Lily reached up and touched one gingerly, as if she thought the color might rub off and reveal the normal red skin underneath.

“Of sorts, yes.” Wick set the basket down on the dining table and slipped off her cloak. She’d left the door open for Lily to follow. “Come inside and shut the door.”

“Can I eat one?” Lily asked.

“It won’t hurt you, if that’s what you’re asking.” Wick moved about the kitchen, putting everything away. She added things to jars or filled up pouches, making sure everything was in its proper place.

“What kind of apples are these?” Lily plucked one from the tree, then took a bite. It tasted bitter and sweet, like vinegar and honey. She wrinkled her nose and went into the cottage, dutifully closing the door behind her. “They don’t taste very good.”

“They’re not supposed to taste like anything. They’re not really for eating.” She wiped her hands on the front of her smock and watched Lily mull over the fruit. “They’re what keep the charun and trees from bothering my cottage.”