I was halfway to the arch when someone peeked their head out from behind the arch. My heart skipped a beat as I imagined Shian having returned to see the rotten fruits of her evil labor.

A small gasp told me it was my wonderful friend Arian who had arrived. My little spark of magic danced about before it vanished. “Anna!” she yelped as she rushed forward and dropped to her knees at my side.

I managed to smile up at her. “Hey.”

She looked me over with her face twisted in horror. “What has happened to you?”

I shook my head. “That’s a. . .a long story and I don’t want to finish it in the king’s cells.” I shut my eyes against a fresh wave of exhaustion and pain. The hole in my side was still open and my crawling had rubbed the ragged edges together to spill out fresh blood. “Can you carry me home?”

Arian nodded as she slipped her arms beneath me. “Of course.”

Fur sprouted from her skin and I could feel her muscles ripple as her body transformed. Her clothes tore and hung loosely about her bear form as she stood on her hind legs with me clutched in her arms. I lay amazed at her transformation but the weight of my battle pressed down harder on my body and mind.

Arian hurried out of the garden as I slipped in and out of consciousness. The world was a blur of brilliant colors and Arian’s furry face. Even her changed features couldn’t hide her concern, especially not in her yellow eyes.

My aching body welcomed the soft mattress and gentle sheets of my bed. It felt like an eternity since I’d laid down there. Arian’s shadow slipped away but soon returned, human again and with a tray of medical goodies. Faint pain rippled through my body as she cleaned and dressed me up. I was glad to finally have something resembling clothing as my body shivered.

Arian paused and pursed her lips. “Are you cold?”

My lips parted but I couldn’t find the strength to push out any words. Arian’s knitted brow gained a few more wrinkles. She disappeared and reappeared with an armful of blankets.

And then she commenced to bury me. Layer after layer of sheets were spread over me until I thought I would be crushed. My shivering stopped only because I couldn’t move. The soft warmth that enveloped my body, however, was worth its weight in sheets.

Arian took a seat on the edge of the bed beside me and looked me over. “You should rest. I will prepare to get you out of here.”

I could only manage a slight nod and gladly closed my eyes. Sleep was mine for many hours, how many I couldn’t say. By the time my eyes fluttered open I was a bundle of sweat and hunger. Some of my strength had returned, enough to shift the blankets and lift my head.

All was quiet and bright. The sun shone through the windows and birds sang from the branches of a nearby tree. A heavenly paradise.

And I had to escape it as soon as possible.

Arian head popped into the room and her eyes widened. “You are awake!” She hurried over to the bed and set her hands on the mattress to get a look at me. “I expected you to sleep through the whole night and day, but it is still early morning. How are you feeling?”

I could only manage a croaking reply. “Better.”

“Did you need some water?”

I nodded. “And some food.”

“Right away!”

Arian hurried off to obey and soon came back with a breakfast meal. She helped me sit up and set the tray in my lap. Fortunately, I had enough strength to handle a knife and fork, and I gulped down both the food and the water.

My body was refreshed and my parched mouth was wet again. I licked my lips and smiled at my friend. “Thanks. You’re a lifesaver and I mean that literally.”

She blushed and bowed her head. “I only performed my responsibilities.”

I set the tray aside and snorted. “If you were doing what you had to then you’d be turning me into the king.”

Arian jerked her eyes up at me and shook her head. “No! I will never do that!”

I gave her a sad smile. “It might have to be done if I can’t get out of here, and I don’t want you accused of harboring a fugitive. Jin would never forgive me for getting you locked up with me.”

She jumped to her feet and lifted her chin. “I do not care what anyone else believes! I will help you escape to my home and you will be welcomed there with open arms.”

I shifted my legs to test my strength and winced when they didn’t respond very quickly, and it wasn’t because of the mountain of blankets still on me. “Any ideas on how to get me past the gate?”

Arian nodded. “Oh yes. I have been thinking of an escape since you came here as a cat. Then I could put you in a basket but now I will have to fetch the dunnian from Lord Lord Buhelm, if he will allow it.”

I blinked at her. “The what?”

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“The dunnian is a cloak of invisibility,” she explained as she resumed her seat on the edge of the bed. “Lord Buhelm crafted the cloak many years ago on a whim and keeps it for special uses.”

A crooked, wry smile slipped onto my lips. “Like getting a fugitive out of the heaven realm?”

She bit her lower lip. “Yes, I will have to make up a lie to convince him of the urgency of borrowing his cloak.”

I folded my arms over my chest and furrowed my brow. “Where does this lord live? In the heavens, right?”

She nodded. “Oh yes. He is the god of weaving and only he has the skill necessary to create such a garment.”

“Is there any way you can sneak me into his palace with you?” I suggested.

Arian dropped her gaze to the floor and furrowed her brow. “It would be very risky. He lives on one of the eastern islands past His Majesty’s palace. We would have to sneak past there at night.” She cast her curiosity at me. “But why would you wish to come?”

I shrugged. “Two pleas are better than one? Or if you don’t convince him then maybe I can take up cat burglary and get the cloak that way.”

Arian’s hand flew to her open mouth. “You would steal it?”

I sighed and flung my bare legs over the side of the bed. “I don’t want to steal it but I really don’t want to go to the dungeon, either.” My shoulders drooped and I picked at a loose thread in the top sheet. “It’s not easy being the good guy. . .”

Arian smiled at me and set a hand on my arm. “I am sure we will think of a way to convince Lord Buhelm to let us borrow the cloak. He is a kindly gentleman with a-” She stopped and wrinkled her brow.

The pause piqued my curiosity. “He’s what?”

Arian blushed and turned her face away from me. “It is nothing.”

I scooted closer to her and leaned forward to catch her eye. “Come on, Arian. Do you know something that might help us get the cloak?”

My friend sighed and her shoulders slumped. “Lord Buhelm is not only the greatest weaver among the heavenly gods but he is also the most notorious flirt.”

I stared at her for a moment before a snort escaped me. The snort turned into a laugh and before I knew it I was flat out on the bed with my gut bouncing up and down. Pain also bounced through me but I didn’t care. Arian cracked a smile before she hid it behind her pursed lip.

“This is most serious, Anna. He is notorious for his admiration for the female body. Most of the ladies will not go to him without their husbands present to ensure he behaves himself.”

I wrapped my arms around my stomach and grinned up at her. “You could always play the part. Maybe grow a furry beard and grow some muscles.”

Arian’s jaw hit the floor. “Anna!”

“Okay, okay,” I replied as I sighed out my laugh guffaw and sat up. “We don’t go as a couple, we go as ourselves. Two adorably cute women in need.”

“There is still the matter of you being seen should you leave the palace,” Anna pointed out as she stood and faced me. “You should remain here and heal your wounds.”

Damn. She had two good points. My shoulders slumped and I looked down at my hands that lay in my lap. I flexed my fingers and furrowed my brow. “I wish I could change back and then we’d only need that basket to get me out of here.”

Arian smiled and set a hand on my shoulder. “There is no need to worry. I will visit Lord Buhelm immediately and see if he will grant me the use of the cloak.”

She moved away but I caught her hand. Arian turned her face toward me and I shook my head. “I can’t let you do this alone. Not for me.”

Arian set her hand over mine and her eyes twinkled with a fiery, eager light. “You are my friend. I would cross worlds to help you. Crossing the heaven islands to ask a boon of a kindly if overly-eager lord will be my pleasure.”

My friend didn’t give me a chance to reply but swept out of the room, leaving me with a warm glow on my cheeks. My heart was equally moved by her kind words and I was frustrated that all I could do was hope she’d come back soon.

I scooted a little closer to the edge of the bed and a sharp pain shot out of the hole in my side. A hiss escaped through my gritted teeth and clutched my hand over my bandaged wound. The pain reminded me of its origins and Shian’s late-night gardening. What had she buried in that little plot that had created the monster from the land realm? And how in the world could I warn Dadan about her nefarious scheme?

An idea struck me and I tightened my grip on my wound. I’d do it. I’d warn him before I left. Now I just had to wait and hope for Arian’s success. In the meantime, the throbbing pain in my side was a cruel reminder of my ordeal.

I eased myself back onto the bed and lay down where I closed my eyes. Exhaustion flooded my mind and body, and I was soon asleep dreaming of cats and emperors.