Sorry. Biggest delay ever.
One thing Mimi quickly realized was that she was no good at moving fast. Another thing she realized just as quickly was that she had never been by herself in the woods like this. Night was falling, and the woods did not become brighter for it. She was cold, tired, and rather missing her coat of feathers. Would it have killed her to wait until morning? What had she been thinking? That she could catch up with a three guys so quickly after they had hours of head start? It was all she could do to keep from screaming at them and praying they would hear her.
If only she had kept her wings. She could have flown ahead and found them.
Still she pushed through the night, hoping against hope they would have settled down to sleep. Then again if that had been their intention why had they not stayed the night? Besides the fact that Jacob apparently thought he father was crazy. As it was, she trekked on through, winding through trails that only seemed half-familiar, and cursing both silently and aloud at all three of them, little Abe included. Her eyesight was worse than when she was a goose and several times she was certain she was lost. But just before dawn the woods were behind her and the expanse of countryside was open in front of her.
For a moment she wondered what she looked like. It seemed, in the distance, people were beginning their morning routines, and she had just spent hours stumbling through the forest. Her hair was a mess, her dress destroyed, and there wasn't a sign of Jacob or Blake or Abe or anyone who could remotely pass for them. She did not want to be the strange girl wandering through asking about them, either. Not that she had ever been the girl outside asking anyone about anything. The last time she had been out in this area she had been a goose. She had absolutely no idea how to talk to anyone who wasn't visiting the castle.
Was she going to go back to that castle? She pushed that thought out of her mind and instead just kept walking. It took ages, it seemed. How had Lavender made it so far? Her stupid evil fairy nature? The irony was that now when wings would have been very handy, she no longer had them. As she walked the land slowly became more and more familiar. Why wouldn't it? This was the third time she had crossed the land. She stopped to eat when she was hungry, and she greeted those who greeted her, but after all she kept moving. She wasn't sure why she was so determined to keep moving. Was she afraid that Prince Matthias would somehow disappear? Give up his sorry excuse for being the ass he was and move on from the manor?
Somehow it didn't seem that. She was sure Blake could handle that , and Jacob would be more than happy to help out with that. Jacob.
Yes, she was pretty sure it was Jacob. Which made her curse him all the more. Who was she to be coming after him? After all that? He was the one who had walked away.
But that was it. The main reason she was out here, away from her father, away from the home she had been trying to return to all this time, was Jacob.
Who at this time was somehow far ahead of her with a former squirrel and a child.
It was late in the afternoon by the time Ralwood appeared. She had never thought she would be so happy to see the city. She entered and moved easily through the streets. Marketers were still out, and wares were still being called out. The squawking of geese was especially noisy to her, and she had to wonder who was now out buying them for the Duke's dinner. Just who in the kitchen had replacd Jacob on that task? Maybe she should have felt more pity, but she didn't. In fact, who knew what was going on in the manor these days?
No one paid her a glance, and for that she was grateful. She was just a stranger in the city, and apparently not a threat. She wandered through, hoping to hear Jacob's voice or even a mention of anything that was happening in the manor.
But she didn't hear any of that. What she did hear was her name, called out in surprise.
"Mimi?"
The street was nearly empty, so when she turned Abe was in clear view, staring at her in wide-eyed surprise.
She couldn't help but smile. Finally, catching up. "Surprised?"
Abe managed a nod, and Mimi had the feeling he still had difficulty imagining her as anything but a goose. "You followed us?"
"There was nothing to follow!" she said as she hurried over to him.
"We did have horses."
Why hadn't she thought of that? "I couldn't stay back there."
Abe nodded again, and nearly laughed as he said "Jacob and Lord Blake are going to kill you."
"I don't care."
"Why did you come?"
It was not the time to answer that. "Where is Jacob?"
"The chapel." Abe seemed nervous just saying that. "He and Lord Blake wanted to go to see the priest. To… see if they couldn't get inside the manor."
It was unfair. It was Blake's manor, after all. "Does… does the priest know who Jacob is?"
Abe shrugged.
"What's going on in the manor? You can get inside, can't you?"
He nodded. "Of course I can. I said I was out on the search. Everyone is saying that. The Prince is furious, not to mention His Madness. But I think the Prince is angrier."
Perfect. Matthias angry. What could be better than an angry Matthias? He deserved it. But what of her? What exactly was Matthias thinking of her? Oh, but she hoped he was just as angry about her disappearance as he was over Jacob's. That thought alone made the entire day worth it.
"What about you?" Abe asked. "What are you going to do here?"
"Help, I suppose." She tried to remember where the chapel was from there. "Abe, where's the chapel?"
He pointed, and she followed.
The chapel was more full than she had expected. The priest looked the same as Mimi remembered, grey-haired and calm. He spoke to no one, merely focused his attention on sweeping the floor, and it took a moment for Mimi to spot Jacob. He sat in a pew, staring thoughtfully into space. Nearby was Blake, looking at a carving on the wall.
Mimi could not get over how Blake looked. Regal was the only definition now. He seemed very much the proper young duke visiting a church. He deserved the duchy, she realized. More so than His Madness or Prince Matthias.
The latter of whom was speaking to the priest.
Mimi froze outside the doorway and half-way wondered if she should run. But Matthias was not looking at her or anyone but the priest. He also seemed the only one who did not realize the tension inside the chapel. Jacob was not praying and Blake was admiring nothing. All that existed was the gratitude that Prince Matthias was unable to recognize either of them.
Matthias did not seem to be saying anything of any particular importance. He certainly acted like royalty, even the sweet royalty she had fallen in love with, nothing fearsome, nothing too bold. He was merely speaking of the duchy, the weather, things that happened in the capital city. The priest went along with it, just sweeping. Not a polite priest at all.
He had been told.
Mimi finally regained enough control to slip away from the door. She hurried to the side of the church and planted herself under a window. It was better. She could not see Jacob or Matthias, but she could hear everything perfectly.
And Matthias' choice of conversation was gradually growing more serious. Clearly he was not in there to make chit-chat with the local priest. "I'm sure you've heard of the cook that escaped."
The priest nonchalantly cleared his throat. "I've heard. Jacob. The second most powerful cook in the Duke's manor, was he not?"
"He offended the Duke."
More emotionless replies from the priest. "That's what I heard. A pity. I had always liked Jacob. Just shows you can't trust people."
"Especially a monstrosity like that."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. I suppose you are asking if he came here begging sanctuary?"
"You did mention that you were friends?" There was an edge to Matthias' voice.
"I said that I liked him, Your Majesty. Though if he offended our ruler…"
"Your ruler the Duke is wicked," Matthias said sharply. "He was to be killed, this Jacob. Beheaded. No law supports this. I know the nickname granted him is His Madness."
"I had never—"
"Perhaps not a priest, but I've heard it even among the servants. I assure you it's the upmost truth."
The priest did not reply for awhile. "Are you saying, Your Majesty, that you side with Jacob?"
"I am saying I only want justice for both parties. I am Prince, my father will allow my judgment."
Liar.
"Well, I continue on my search," Matthias said. "If you hear anything of Jacob, please let me know."
The priest mumbled a farewell.
Slowly Mimi rose to her feet, heart pounding. It was almost funny, how close Matthias had been to Jacob and had not even known. Now all she had to do was wait for Matthias to leave and…
"Mimi."
The voice was familiar, familiar enough to stab into her heart. Slowly, trying not to scream, she turned around. How could she have been so stupid?
"You came back," Prince Matthias said sternly. He stood not far away, his handsome eyes behind his glasses filled with hatred. "I should have known. Did you come to change your answer?"
She shook her head. "I won't marry you." She had to run. But where?
Matthias stepped closer.
She bolted. It was a stupid decision, but she had no other idea. And for a moment it seemed she would make it. She darted past him, to the side, startling enough to make him pause.
Out of the corner of her eye she could see Jacob in the doorway of the church.
But Matthias was faster, faster than she had thought possible judging from his bookish ways.
He soon grabbed her arm and no matter how she struggled he would not let go.