Red Hood's Revenge

both know there’s no happy ending to that tale. It’s past time for me to move on.” The tightness in Talia’s shoulders belied her casual tone. “She’s been uncomfortable with me for a while now.”
    “I never told her how you felt about her,” Danielle said.
    “I know.” Talia pulled a makeshift stiletto from the bottom of the trunk. Made of a thick metal spike with frayed twine covering the lower half, it was far from intimidating. “I made this in Arathea from a stolen tent peg. Three times it saved my life.”
    Danielle stood, trying to ignore the emptiness in her chest. Talia was one of her closest friends. One of her only friends, really. The life of a princess didn’t lend itself to trusting relationships. “You can’t leave. You swore an oath to serve Beatrice, remember?”
    “Beatrice is dying,” Talia said flatly. “I serve her best by eliminating Roudette and by making sure nobody else is drawn into my feud with Arathea.”
    “What do I tell Jakob?” Danielle asked. “How do I answer when he asks why Aunt Tala had to go away?”
    “Low blow, Princess.”
    “You’re the one who taught me to fight.” Danielle forced a smile. “Talia, please give us a chance. Let Theodore and Beatrice talk to Arathea.”
    Talia looked past her, toward the door. Footsteps hurried through the hallway, stopping outside. Talia rose, tent stake knife clutched behind her back.
    “Princess Danielle?”
    “Nicolette?” Danielle rose to open the door.
    “The queen said I’d find you here.” Nicolette was out of breath, her hair a sweaty mess. Bloody scratches marked her neck, and her lip was swollen. “Jakob’s run off, Highness.”
    “What happened to you?” Danielle asked.
    Nicolette touched her face. “Jakob was playing some sort of hiding game, but I’m afraid it frightened the others, and that scared him in turn. All of a sudden they were screaming and running every which way. I scooped him up, and he hammered me good with his forehead.” She licked her swollen lip. “I handed him off to Marguerite so I could try to contain the rest, but he managed to slip away from her.”
    “Talia, will you help us look?” Danielle asked innocently. “Jakob might come out for his Aunt Tala.”
    Talia narrowed her eyes. “You don’t need me. There are only so many nooks and corners a boy his age could get to.”
    “What was the game?” If Danielle knew what Jakob was playing, it might help her figure out where he’d gone.
    “I’m not sure,” said Nicolette. “Something about hiding from the wolves.”
    Danielle grabbed Nicolette’s arm. She tried to keep her voice calm, though her heart was pounding. “How was Jakob acting? Was he laughing, or did he appear serious?”
    “He wasn’t laughing.” Nicolette stared, alarm in her eyes as she took in Danielle’s reaction. “What is it, Princess?”
    “He’s Beatrice’s grandson. This wouldn’t be the first time he’s shown signs of her gifts.” Danielle started to run. “Get the children inside. All of them.”
    Talia was already keeping pace beside her. “It makes no sense for Roudette to come here. She knows she can’t enter the palace without being caught.”
    Danielle hurried up the steps. “How long would it take Roudette to reach the palace from Stone Grove?”
    They froze as they entered the courtyard. The howls were faint, but the sound raised goose bumps on Danielle’s skin.
    Talia swore. “Not long at all.”

CHAPTER 6

    I F ANYTHING COULD HAVE HELPED to clear Talia’s mind, it was the arrival of an enemy to fight. She was almost grateful to Roudette for the distraction.
    She stepped in front of Danielle and searched the courtyard. The wolves sounded as though they were running through the city streets. She heard screams as well. The palace staff were looking about in confusion.
    “Get inside,” Talia shouted, pushing the closest toward the door. She waved to get the attention of the guards atop the wall. When that failed, she scooped a piece of stone from the ground beside the wall and threw. It clanged from the closest man’s helm.
    “What in God’s name—” The guard straightened, spotting Danielle.
    “Bar the gates,” Talia shouted. “Make sure the king and queen are safe!”
    He started to argue, took another look at Danielle’s expression, and made for the gates.
    “You too, Princess,” said Talia.
    “Jakob is out here.” Danielle didn’t even bother to stare her down. She simply shoved past