Spar stopped and turned upward. A lovely bay window gazed out at the castle from two stories up. A trellis of roses climbed halfway there. Stone vines twined around the windows, leaves half-furled. Dark wood beams framed a door to the right, stained and dusty from disuse. Higher up, past the window, a balcony protruded from the wall.

Spar nodded. “That window looks into His Majesty’s quarters. I could show you the way inside, but with your predilections, I figured the windows suited your purposes better.”

“I’m not a voyeur,” Mouse argued.

“Sure you aren’t.”

Mouse tried the trellis. Thin wood creaked under his weight, and thorns scraped at his hands. He let go and stepped back, frowning. That’s a no go. How should I get up?

“Let me give you a boost.” Spar knelt and knitted his fingers together.

Mouse stepped onto his hands, put his hands on Spar’s shoulders, and half-stood, afraid to stand straight on Spar’s hands. His skirts fell into Spar’s face. Spar strained and slowly lifted his arms.

Wind blew. It caught in Mouse’s skirt and tugged him sideways. Hissing, Spar jolted. Mouse wobbled and grabbed Spar’s head, afraid to fall. Spar unknit his fingers and grabbed Mouse’s leg instead, other hand closing around Mouse’s foot. “Hold still!”

“I can’t—dammit, Spar!” His foot slipped. He fell forward, one leg hooked over Spar’s shoulder.

The door swung open, and the beastfolk princess rushed out, gray hair askew. She froze and stared.

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Mouse glanced down. Spar’s head came up to his crotch, and Spar’s hand clutched the back of Mouse’s leg, pulling him closer. He clutched Spar’s head, fingers bent into claws, one leg draped over Spar’s shoulder. His skirts billowed in the wind, covering Spar’s face. He grimaced and pushed away, out of Spar’s grip. “It’s not what it looks like—”

“S--sorry to disturb you,” the beastfolk princess stuttered. Her voice was unusually breathy and a little gravelly. She quickly combed her hands through her hair, eyes cast aside. Her quick motions failed to tame the wild curls. Ruffled and out of place, her dress sat awkwardly on her body. With a last glance backward, she hurried off, limping slightly as she went.

“No, really, it’s—” Mouse dropped his hand. The beastfolk princess vanished into the gardens, hurrying away as if her heels were on fire.

Spar let go of Mouse and stood, staring after the other princess. “Well. I’d say that’s a mystery solved.”

“We don’t know. He could be doing anything in there,” Mouse argued.

“Sure. Anything. Anything at all.”

Mouse cast a glance after the beastfolk princess, and his stomach sunk. “I know the evidence seems overwhelming, but… but we don’t know.”

Spar gave Mouse a look.

Mouse glanced down. I’m just trying to convince myself, aren’t I?

“Say you have a headache,” Spar said suddenly. “Or, er, you’re washing your hair. That one works, sometimes.”

“It’ll only prolong the inevitable.” Mouse sighed. I didn’t expect to get found out so soon. Though, on the other hand… I guess I can count myself lucky that I made it this far.

“Er… good luck. I’ll put in a prayer to your god for you. The Moon Goddess,right?”

Mouse rolled his eyes at Spar. “I’ll come clean. Maybe Felix will let me keep up the charade, maybe he won’t, but I won’t let things go that far.”

“How far is ‘that far?’” Spar asked, a twinkle in his eye.

“Shut up.”

Eyes glazed over, Mouse stared to the horizon. Spar stood beside him, a comforting hand on his shoulder.

At last, Mouse heaved in a breath. “Maybe I should make a run for it. Is it worth it? Is my country's pride worth…”

“That’s a decision every man must make for himself,” Spar said firmly, eyes on the same horizon as Mouse. He clapped Mouse’s shoulder warmly.