The carriage rattled along. Mouse leaned back, his eyes closed, half-asleep from the late fall sunshine. Hot springs, huh? Hope they aren't too hot.

The carriage jolted. He opened his eyes.

Cel slid into the carriage. The door thumped behind her, and she settled into the seat opposite Mouse.

"I was starting to think you'd got lost," he quipped drily.

"That goblin is as slippery as a wet dire wolf on bath day, after you put the soap on. Took until she fell asleep from the carriage for me to get her new 'precious.'" Grumbling further things under her breath, Cel opened her hand.

Mouse leaned forward. As expected, a small vial of brackish liquid rolled on Cel's palm.

He plucked it out of her hand and uncorked it, then tipped it back just enough to taste.

"Your Highness!" Cel protested.

"Mouse!" Dayander chimed in.

He grimaced. "Ugh, that's..." Mouse swallowed and pressed a hand to his chest.

"Are you alright? Should I call for Felix?" Dayander asked, half-standing from his seat.

Mouse pitched forward, threw open the carriage door, and puked.

"Seriously, Mouse, do we need to call Felix?" Cel repeated.

He shook his head. Spitting one last time, he thumped back into his seat, a grimace stretched across his face. "Antidote isn't playing well with the poison in my system. Kind of its job, but still... Not pleasant."

Dayander twisted his lips. "May I ask Your Highness to not go tasting the contents of mysterious vials?"

"You can. It won't stop me." Mouse slid the vial into his dress. Might be useful to hang onto, if Sabelyn tries to pull the same trick again.

He wiped his lips with the back of his hand and glanced out the window. The further they climbed into the mountains, the cooler it grew, but cooped up inside the carriage in a protected, wind-free environment with the sun beating through the window, he couldn't help but fan himself.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

As the poison and the antidote chased each other through his system, that heat only grew stronger. He leaned back against the wall and shut his eyes, desperately fanning his flushed face.

"He's red up to his ear tips," Cel commented.

"Your Highness, are you sure it was a good idea to try that?"

Mouse waved a hand. "Had to know what was in there. Poison's been hanging around, bugging me since yesterday, so it doesn't hurt to flush it out."

Cel peeked through the window. A few carriages ahead of them, an ornate gold-and-red monstrosity bumped up the road. "You think it's still bothering His Majesty?"

"Goddess, I hope not," Mouse muttered, peeking over his shoulder at the same. He's got to be fresh and fully aware for whatever Sabelyn and Lilith have cooked up for us.

He drew out the vial and gave it a glance, then shoved it away again. Better not. Not unless I have no other option. Who knows what side effects the antidote has. Overheating, for one, but what if there's more? If it's got something nasty in store, better it's reserved for me than thrown at him.

Closing his eyes, Mouse relaxed against the chair. Every movement heated his body, and the thick traveling dress he wore only trapped the excess heat. He pulled at his collar. "How about the windows, can we ...?"

"They don't open," Cel reported.

Mouse groaned wordlessly.

A faint dusting of snow began to fall as the princesses disembarked at the resort. Early, for the human kingdom, except in these mountains. Perpetually snow-capped, they towered over the lowlands below, and this high on their slopes, it sometimes snowed in the heat of summer.

The snowflakes practically sizzled on Mouse's ears as he climbed out of the carriage at last, grateful for the cool, fresh air on his heated skin. He stretched out his arms to the cold, welcoming it in.

"Glad to be out after your bout of road-sickness?" Sabelyn quipped dryly from the corner of her mouth as she passed by.

Mouse narrowed his eyes at her back. That was your fault, you know.

All the servants of the resort stood out front in their finery to welcome the convoy. Most, to Mouse's surprise, weren't humans but long-lived races, moon and sun elves, dryads, even what appeared to be a lower fae. If the resort only opens every hundred or so years, I suppose it makes sense, he reasoned. It's probably as much a vacation to them to run it as it is for us to visit. I can't imagine they live here for all hundred of the off years, waiting for the spring to return.

"Welcome, Your Majesty," the lead sun elf said, offering him a gentle smile. Her dark gold eyes swept over the group and settled momentarily on Eleda, whom she offered a small bow before continuing. "May you bask in peace in the restorative atmosphere of our springs."

Felix nodded back. "Thank you. I hope they prove as restorative as they are said to be."

"Your Majesty should not be disappointed," the sun elf replied, bowing again. With that, the servants dispersed, taking bags and helping the princesses into the hot springs' accompanying inn.

Mouse led Cel and Dayander towards the inn, eager for a rest at last. Surely Sabelyn will hold off for a day or so, give us the chance to enjoy it?

A hand clutched his shoulder. Nervous, an unfamiliar voice said, "Mouse."

Dammit, can't a man have a single moment of peace and quiet? Forcibly coaching his features into a smile, Mouse turned. "Can I help you?"