Dawn light spilled in the windows, cutting golden rectangles across the lush carpet.

Mouse paced across his bedroom, back and forth in front of the windows, today’s navy dress dappled in gold as he passed them by. “Hot springs. Hot springs. I can’t go. I’d get caught in an instant. At the beach, I could stay on the shore and wear a swimsuit. Hot springs? How am I supposed to get through that? Illusions are incredibly hard in water, what with the distortion and ripples and—” I’m struggling to cast magic anyways, he bit back, unwilling to admit it to Dayander and Cel. “Plus I can’t wear padding, and all the other princesses will be there…”

“It’s simple, isn’t it? Say you aren’t feeling well and stay back,” Dayander replied.

“His Majesty invited me personally. It would be quite the slight, after all he’s done for me,” Mouse replied.

Dayander shrugged. “You’ve done quite a lot to support His Majesty. I think he’ll understand if you unfortunately are forced to sit out one excursion for the sake of your health.”

“Aren’t hot springs supposed to be good for one’s health?” Cel asked.

Mouse stared at her, despairing.

“Physical health. Mental health is another matter,” Dayander replied dismissively. He stood, straightening his robes. “So it’s set. Start playing up your illness, Mouse. On the day before you leave, have an episode. We’ll excuse you, and you can stay back at the palace. It’s that simple.”

Mouse took a deep breath. He nodded, slowly letting it out. “Right. It should be fine. His Majesty won’t force me to go, and I’ll have an honest excuse.”

“Exactly.”

One last time, Mouse nodded. “We have a plan.”

A knock on his door. The three of them turned, curious. “Sabelyn again?” Mouse guessed quietly.

“Your Highness, Brittany has requested your presence at breakfast,” a servant intoned.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Mouse cleared his throat and raised his voice to be heard through the door. “Thank you. Tell her I’ll be right there.” I’m glad she and Clarita made up. I’d like to hear more about her and Achlys as well, if there’s any more to that story.

“Remember, play up the illness,” Dayander reminded him.

Mouse gave him a thumbs-up and slipped out the door.

“Hey, Mouse, wait up!” Cel called.

Catching sight of the servant retreating ahead of him, Mouse narrowed his eyes and reached out to the well of magic inside of him. “Twining silver, brilliant moon,” he whispered, gesturing with one hand.

Magic stirred, dancing along his body. It started to settle, but seconds before the illusion took form, pain stabbed into his gut, disrupting his focus. Mouse fell against the wall, curled up around him. Dammit! Not again!

“Mouse—you know, you don’t really need to play it up when it’s just you and me,” Cel commented dryly.

“Thanks,” Mouse croaked sarcastically. He shoved himself off the wall and hobbled away.

“Wait, are you serious? Does it actually hurt?” Cel asked, suddenly concerned.

He waved her away, already straightening. “It’s fine. Nothing to worry about.”

“I’m worried,” Cel replied.

Mouse shook his head. “Honesty, it’s fine.”

Cel grabbed his arm as he turned the corner. “Mouse, you can’t hide it like this. You have to tell us. Your health is still delicate. I don’t want to see you tied up in bed again.”

“Yeah, and neither do—” Mouse caught himself short. He leaned back against the wall.

Cel frowned. “Wha—”

Mouse covered her mouth with his hand. She narrowed her eyes at him, then noticed what he’d seen. Her eyes widened.

Ahead of them, Sabelyn and Lilith, the demon princess, strode down the hallway, heads together. Sabelyn leaned in to listen as Lilith murmured something, then nodded. The two of them vanished into a room, out of sight.

Cel pushed Mouse’s hand away from her mouth. “Well, aren’t those odd bedfellows.”

“Lilith is the one who blighted me. I’ve long suspected someone high in human nobility backed her…” Mouse trailed off. He closed his eyes and gestured again, this time braced for the pain. His gut twisted, stabbing pain biting deep, and then the pain passed, and he finished the spell. A human maidservant stood where he had stood moments before, oddly tall but otherwise unremarkable.

“Lilith is?” Cel asked, startled.

Mouse waved his hand. Despite himself, he was taken aback to see pink flash before his eyes, even though he’d cast he illusion mere moments ago. “Old news. Go ahead and tell Brittany I’ll be a bit late. This is too important to miss out on.”

Cel hesitated, then nodded. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”

“I won’t do anything… more stupid than usual,” Mouse tried.

Cel shrugged. “Good enough.” She turned and hurried down the hallway, glancing back once as she went.