I spent the next day pacing the palace grounds, wandering through gardens and knocking into people and shrubs since my focus was trained to the sky, scanning it for swans. I was utterly exhausted, having not slept a wink last night.
Pel had arrived shortly after I summoned him, and to my great relief, promised to research swan curses and report back on anything he found, and I could only hope that included a cure. Though I knew my endless walking today would likely not find Casper any sooner, my anxious nerves would not let me stay still for more than a few minutes, even as the exertion brought out the familiar burning in my limbs.
But the gardens were still preferable to the uproar inside the palace. Casper’s disappearance was noticed at dawn, sending everyone into a flurry of activity. Constance immediately took control of the situation, directing guards and mitigating the nobles’ concerns, assuring them that there was no sign of the fay and it was most probable that Casper had wished for some solitude. The transition back to court life required time, she explained and convinced the nobles that everything was being done, but that it was too early to fear for the safety of their king. Constance personally questioned everyone close to Casper, and I played into her story, lying as I told her that Casper had wanted to go on a ride by himself to have some quiet time to think. I kept the details vague, all the while praying that Pel could find a way to reverse the Chace-forsaken magic that had transformed Casper.
Many of the royal guards were assigned to search for him while others were posted by every palace entrance, instructed to immediately notify Constance the moment he was located. I convinced my personal guard, Sir Yanis, to join those looking for Casper, assuring him I was safe in the palace. In reality, I was hoping to keep the truth about Casper a secret until I could transform him back, and the fewer people who knew about it, the better.
It was late in the day, nearly sundown, when Annabeth finally cornered me in the rose garden. She scurried to me, carrying a thick shawl.
“There you are, milady,” Annabeth said, slightly winded, as her breath plumed in the air.
“I was going for a walk,” I answered, but I kept glancing at the sky and the Biawood, searching for any hint of a white bird.
“You will catch your death staying in the cold all day.” Annabeth wrapped the wool shawl over my shoulders. I wanted to tell her that I was already too warm, the lingering, burning effects of the sitano aggravated by my day’s exertions. But the satisfied expression on Annabeth’s small, freckled face had me swallowing any complaint.
“Now will you please come inside? I can have supper brought to your rooms.”
“I don’t know,” I waivered, scanning the sky. I had barely eaten all day, my stomach a knot of anxiety, but I did not want to miss Casper should he return.
“Please milady. At least have some tea. And there has been much gossip in the palace today.” I cut a glance toward my maid. She nodded gravely, belying how shrewd she had become during her time serving me. “Speculations about the king.”
“Fine,” I conceded. “One cup of tea. But tell me everything.”
Seated in my parlor, I helped myself to not only tea, but also the light supper Annabeth had arranged for me. There were cold meats, soft white cheese, shiny red apples, and small, hot rolls, fresh from the ovens and still warm.
“I almost forgot,” Annabeth produced a small jar filled with dark preserves and speckled with yellow seeds. “Yanis sent his family’s fig jam for you.” Annabeth smiled at the jar as she set it on the table.
“Yanis?” I asked, quirking an eyebrow.
Annabeth colored slightly. “Sir Yanis,” she amended.
I tucked that tidbit of information away, something to think about after I dealt with the pressing issues. “What talk has there been today?”
“Naturally, everyone is in an uproar over King Casper’s disappearance,” Annabeth said, quick to change the subject. “And the longer he stays missing, the more whispers there are that he had not simply gone for a ride by himself, or if he had, that something happened to him.”
I was reminded of the first time I met Casper. He had been riding in the Biawood by himself and had gotten lost. I gave him directions to the Stigenne Road, but only after I stole his ring. I twisted the signet ring on my finger, wishing I could simply ride into the Biawood Forest and find him lost, but unharmed.
Catching herself, Annabeth quickly added, “I’m sorry, milady, I don’t mean to worry you further.”
I swallowed my tea, wishing I could confide in Annabeth about what truly happened, but as much as I trusted my maid, I couldn’t risk another person knowing the truth.
“No, I asked you to tell me. I know many of the royal guards are searching for him. What else?”
“I overheard that many are certain he was recaptured by the fay. And there were whispers that if the king is not returned soon, Princess Constance will muster forces to attack Magnomel.” Annabeth said the word with disgust and shivered at the mention of the fay lands. I didn’t correct her. For as beautiful as Magnomel was with its endless summer, the faeries who lived and ruled there could be cruel and cunning.
They aren’t all cruel, a small voice in my head reminded me. Lorella was kind and sweet, but also brave and strong, willing to be a true friend. She had risked much to help me free Casper. And Pel, who eventually came through for me, despite our complicated past. The fay were not the evil creatures rumors would have humans believing, and I would have to find a way to reverse whatever dark magic was used on Casper if we were to prevent an all-out war against Magnomel. I wished Casper was here. His skill with political diplomacy was far superior to mine. I hoped that he would return tonight. I had to believe that I had not lost him again, not permanently. Though if he did return, I would need to be the first to find him. I did not want to think what anyone else would do if they found a giant swan waddling through the palace. The most likely place Casper would return to was where he left, I reasoned.
I quickly wolfed down the rest of my supper and dismissed Annabeth, before heading to Casper’s study. Despite the chill, I threw the window open wide, leaning out to see the last of the sun’s dying light.
Right as dusk was settling in, I spotted a flicker of white burst through the Biawood Forest, flying above the trees. I strained to see, watching in apprehension and relief as it drew closer and I could make out the form of a swan. I wanted to call out to Casper, but swallowed my cry, afraid of what guards might do if they heard me with no king in sight. The swan flew toward the palace, surprisingly graceful for such a large bird. I held my breath, watching as he directed his flight. When I was certain he was indeed heading toward the study, I stepped back, giving the bird room to land.
In a matter of moments, Casper flew in through the window, landing with far more grace than he had the night before. I watched the bird, wondering if he would hiss at me again. Instead, he took several steps toward me, stretching out his long neck, as if inquisitive. I stared into his beady black eyes, hoping he recognized me.
“Casper, it’s me, Nor,” I said, feeling slightly foolish speaking to a bird. “Do you remember me?”
The swan cocked his head to the side.
“I don’t know what happened to you, but I have a feeling this is Elrik’s doing. Pel is doing research for me. I will find a way to undo this,” I promised, praying it was a promise I could keep.
The swan waddled toward me. I had no idea if this version of Casper understood what I was saying, but I took some comfort in the fact that he was not hissing. I stayed perfectly still, not wanting to spook him. As the swan approached me, his shiny black eyes stayed fixed on mine. He let out a honk, but the noise was low, almost sad.
“Casper, do you know me?” I asked, searching the swan’s face.
The swan extended his neck, till his small, white head was almost level with mine. With painstaking slowness, I lowered myself to the ground, setting aside my cane as I sat.
“Do you know who you are?” I whispered. Tears pricked behind my eyes. I hated how helpless I felt.
Casper took several more steps toward me, his thick, feathered body close enough to touch. He settled himself down, resting the front of his chest on the floor before picking up his feet, tucking them underneath himself. His head reached out to mine, his black beak gently nibbling on my hair. Slowly, I raised my hand, carefully placing it on top of his head. He stilled as I pet him, soft feathers brushing against my fingers.
“I will fix this, Casper,” I promised.
He pulled his head back, rubbing it against his wings before he rested his head in my lap. I ran my fingers along his head and back, gently stroking his smooth, white wings as he slowly closed his eyes. I continued to pet him, murmuring reassurances, as my own eyes grew heavy.
I awoke to the feel of something heavy in my lap. Startled, I looked down to see a head of unruly black hair.
I yelped, right as Casper rolled over. He’s human! He stared up at me with dark, familiar eyes.
“Casper,” I exclaimed, joy flooding through me.
“Nor?” His eyes were unfocused as he woke.
Then I noticed that he was not wearing any clothes.
“Casper!” I shot to my feet, the sudden movement dislodging him from my lap. I squeezed my eyes closed, though not before catching a glimpse of his bare, muscled shoulders and firm stomach. I pretended I had not seen more. I heard his head hit the floor. “Sorry.”
“Nor, what in the—” he started, but abruptly stopped. “Am I naked?”
“Uh huh.” I nodded, keeping my eyes closed.
“And was I—” another pause, this one longer. “Was I a bird?”
“A swan, technically.” My cheeks flamed, and I wondered if he could see my blush through my glamour.
I head Casper take several steps. “Um, you can open your eyes.”
I cracked open one eye and saw that Casper had pulled an embroidered blanket off one of the chairs, wrapping it around himself. I tried not to admire his bare legs, his muscular calves, telling myself I was only relieved he was human again. I forced a small smile.
“Have I mentioned I admire your daring sense of fashion?”
Casper frowned. “The strangest things seem to happen around you.”
That sobered me up. “I’m sorry. Oh, wait.” Remembering that I had thrown his clothes in a drawer of his desk, I hurried to retrieve them. I handed him his clothes and quickly turned around, giving him privacy to dress. I stared at the large clock on the wall, noting that it was several minutes until one in the morning.
“I am more decent,” Casper finally said, and I turned around. He was dressed, but his cheeks were bright pink. “This is not how I imagined our first night together.”
“I didn’t see anything.”
“Nor, do you know what is happening?” Casper asked.
“Not exactly,” I confessed. “But I think it has to do with Elrik’s curse.” Casper’s face darkened.
“But I killed him.”
“I know. I don’t fully understand it, but Pel is looking into it.” Casper pursed his lips at the mention of Pel, but he didn’t speak, so I continued, telling him everything that had happened since the night before.
Casper took it all in, nodding slightly. When I finished, he stayed silent, drumming his fingers on the floor.
“You are taking this really well,” I said, breaking the silence.
“It’s strange. Part of it feels like a dream. I remember falling asleep with you last night, and I remember waking up. But after that . . .” he trailed off, flexing his fingers as though to confirm he still had hands. “At the beginning, I felt feral, as though I was only a wild animal, pulled to the forest. But as the day drew on, I started to remember myself.” He reached for my cheek, and I let him, leaning into his touch. “And I remembered you. I had to come back to you.”
“I’m so sorry.” I closed my eyes, hating the tears that were leaking out. “You always end up in danger because of me.”
Casper pulled his hand back, but instead of pushing me away, he held my shoulders, forcing me to look up at him. His expression was serious, his eyes burning, but I sensed the anger was not directed at me.
“Nor, this is not your fault. That Chace-forsaken faerie poisoned you and cursed you, and not even killing him has freed us. Nor, we will—”
But before he could tell me what we would do, he crumpled over, his hands gripping his sides as he once again let out a moan that transformed into a honking cry, one full of agony.
“No!” I cried, but I could only watch, helpless as Casper again transformed into a swan. There was no recognition in his small, black eyes. In a terrible parody of the previous night, swan-Casper again recoiled from me, hissing and flapping his massive wings.
Again, he flew away, out the window as though answering a call from the forest.