The journey home was marred on the second day, when the fortress of Burgwec came into view on the horizon. A great, walled city on a peak of rock that overlooked the Clear Valley, it was a beacon of safety, where they would finally, with certainty, be able to relax. But Princess Vivaria demanded they stop for a comfort break, and they did so at a hamlet with little more than a farmhouse. While they gathered by the low stone wall of the well for a drink, the princess cleared her throat importantly, for attention.
“We are about to arrive,” she said, and Arabel smiled, cheeks warming, at the thought they were about to get their thanks. “Once we go through those gates, your quest will essentially be over, and the crown owes you all a great debt. You no doubt already made arrangements with the baron for payment. But I have my own terms to offer.”
Arabel’s mood faltered just slightly. Terms was an interesting choice of words.
“Caracae,” Vivaria continued, “you have proved yourself invaluable. The thundresses will increase their attacks and your particular skills could change everything. I’d like you to accompany me to the royal court to discuss the coming battles. Arabel, your expertise would be welcome, too.”
Caracae watched the princess warily and Arabel wondered how exactly the witch would refuse, no way she would want to be tied to these duties. But Caracae said, “I’d be happy to escort you, once we’re done.”
Perhaps being diplomatic, to let her down later? Possibly a smart play, rather than aggravate the princess, so Arabel followed suit: “As would I.”
“But your fight is done for now,” Vivaria said, “and you will be properly equipped in future. So you have no more need to keep Eko about your person.”
Caracae looked down at the monster hunter sitting on her shoulder. True enough, Eko had not needed to stick with the witch since they’d escaped the village, but she had grown comfortable with her, evidently, despite their differences. Maybe Caracae’s shoulder was softer than Arabel’s. But this would be a good thing – if there was a way to free Eko, to restore her, the princess would surely make it happen.
“I will take her now,” Vivaria said and held out her hand.
Everyone frowned, not following. The princess’s expression was stern.
“Excuse me?” Eko said, standing up.
“The shrinking cannot be reversed,” Vivaria said, as they had already discussed, “and she is hardly effective as a hunter now. I wish to have her.”
“What do you mean have?” Eko snapped.
“I am princess of the Eight Realms,” Vivaria replied firmly, stepping closer to Caracae. “You are my subjects, all of you. This one, at her size, I wish to bring into the royal household. You will be taken care of and want for nothing.”
“Except my freedom!”
“Do not dare speak back to me!” Vivaria made a grab for Eko, hand lashing up, and Caracae took a quick step back. Arabel found herself moving suddenly between them, blocking the princess from trying again. Vivaria met her eyes furiously, not used to being turned down, and Arabel fought to keep calm. She was a second from some kind of treasonous act.
“Princess,” Arabel said, “please think for a moment –”
“I have done nothing but think,” Vivaria replied, with venom. “While I was locked in a cage hanging between a monster’s tits! And do you know what I thought of, above all else?” Her eyes drilled into Arabel’s, strong in her sense of entitlement. “That queen knew true power. All who saw her knew it. She made trinkets of her enemies. If we’re to face them, we have to be equally formidable.”
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“But Eko’s our ally. She saved you – all of us, even.”
“Do you dare to deny your princess?”
Arabel stood frozen, unable to defy the crown but unable to step aside, either.
Vivaria took an angry breath and spoke around her. “Caracae. As your first action as Royal Witch, you may shrink Arabel, too. She can provide her scholarly advice well enough at any height, I’m sure.”
Arabel twisted back to Caracae with alarm, mouth dropping open – surely she wouldn’t? Caracae regarded the princess uncertainly, and answered slowly, “You’re sure this is how you wish to reward them for saving you, Your Highness? What message would that send to your subjects?”
“That I am in charge!” Vivaria snapped, more petulant than commanding. “Stop being difficult, I am hardly offering servitude or misery. If I wish for Eko and Arabel to be my own, that’s how it shall be. By order of the Crown.”
Caracae made an uncomfortable noise, stalling. Arabel’s blood was ice – they had gone in a flash from her friend being made a royal pet to that threat including her, too. Everything she suspected about Vivaria’s nature was coming to the fore, and she was certain whatever promises the princess made, she would not be a pleasant mistress. What was the alternative? Arabel felt the weight of her knife at her hip.
She couldn’t, could she? This farm was abandoned, there was a well right there. If they told the baron that the thundresses had eaten the princess, no one would look . . .
“Do not tell me you have no heart for such things,” Vivaria sighed. “No, I imagine you merely prefer to keep Eko as your own plaything. Monster hunter, I am doing you a favour; a palm witch would never keep you forever.”
“That’s kind of you,” Eko replied through gritted teeth, “but I didn’t intend to stick with her.”
Vivaria ignored her, turning to spread an arm to one side and indicate Arabel. “Caracae, please begin.”
“Caracae don’t,” Arabel squeaked. The witch stared at her, considering it.
“It’s not a choice,” Vivaria said. “I am the crown and I have been through hell. I will take at least this reward, so help me.”
Arabel tensed, knowing she couldn’t let this happen. If Caracae lifted a hand, she’d have to jump, go straight for the princess. And the witch looked ready to do it. They had become closer, but Caracae still valued her independence. All the good in her came from a desire not to live a life on the run. She had no choice, if she wanted to continue practising freely in the Eight Realms. Caracae closed her eyes for a moment, regrettably and Arabel’s hand slid to her knife.
“Stop, all right!” Eko shouted. “Dammit, princess, that’s enough! Leave Arabel alone, there’s no reason two of us need have this shitty fate. No reason anyone else needs to suffer out of all this. I’ll come with you. You can take me, whatever – I’ll do it willingly if you just leave Arabel out of it. But you shrink her, hurt her, I’ll make it my business to ruin your life.”
Vivaria tried to maintain a fierce look, but it softened, a smile teasing her lips. The smile stretched, accepting the deal. Arabel breathed out huge relief, shoulders slumping, and she saw Caracae relax too, even as the witch looked sadly down at Eko.
“Very well, but consider yourself lucky, Arabel.” Vivaria pointed the scolding finger of a schoolteacher. “Do not answer back to me again.” Then she marched quickly towards Caracae and this time the witch did not react, nor did Eko resist.
Vivaria grabbed Eko in a fist and snatched her protectively back to her chest. Eko let out a yelp of surprise at the rough handling, then the princess squeezed her with delight. She held the tiny woman up to her face, stroked a finger hard over her hair, tapped her dangling boots, then retreated with triumph. She bit her lower lip, face filled with all the mischief of a cruel child, then said, “We are going to have fun, don’t worry.”
Arabel shared a worried look with Caracae, but it was done now.
“And I think” – Vivaria looked up brightly – “this will be our secret for now. You two were the only survivors understand? I don’t want to start a fashion.” With that, she pulled her top forward and shoved Eko down the gap, nestling her somewhere into the fabrics that held her breasts. The monster hunter gave muffled protests, wrestling against her cleavage. Vivaria said, playfully, “You stop it! I might not be as large as Caracae but it is a great honour to touch royal flesh.” She adjusted her top, shaking her breasts to settle Eko in. Smiling happily, the princess turned to Arabel. “Now let’s discuss how you plan to repel the Thundress Tribe when they come to invade. I’m sure you have some excellent ideas that Daddy will want to hear. And if not, I will make a toy of you.”
She laughed shrilly, as though it was the best joke, but Arabel felt the blood drain from her face. With all they had done to get here, having completed an impossible mission, where had she got herself? A potential war with man-eating monsters and the attentions of a princess who might prove just as horrible.
Well, they were alive, and set, in what seemed a small way, to be rewarded. So Arabel forced herself to be reasonable, and said, “Yes, Your Highness.”