When Lisbelle saw me, she tensed up in anger and fear—then a small smile formed, and she gave me a curtsy. I waved back, and she went to present her reports to King Xander.
“She’s become quite the little leader,” Lorn said.
“Yes, she’d be my choice to lead the kingdom,” I agreed. “She was the only one who stood up to Grace even in the face of death. I’ve already spoken with Rosalie and Xander, and they see it too, but they won’t make a decision hastily.”
When Devin saw the beautiful Lisbelle, he almost fell over in his chair. She paused, gave him a side glance, and then she dismissed him coyly, using the tools that Saphira had tried to teach me.
But it wasn’t so easy for Devin. He looked like he was put under a love spell. He couldn’t drag his eyes away from her.
“Oh, that will be interesting,” Lorn said quietly.
Lisbelle curtsied before the kings and queens while she greeted them, but her eyes did stay a little longer on Devin.
“This could be what they need,” I said.
Rulah and Ardax came in next, hand in hand. Ardax grinned as he handed a scroll to King Brennon. It seemed after the Northern Woods attack, Rulah’s true feelings were revealed when she had seen Ardax in danger. They had plans to unite the courts of Lightwood and Thornhaven and remove the centuries of stigma over the southern elves.
I grinned as Rulah leaned into Ardax, giving his hand a squeeze. When they turned to leave, Ardax gave me a slow wink. I nodded my head in return.
“This was an interesting turn of events.” Lorn elbowed me as a shimmer in the corner of the room moved from the wall, and I saw Nimm, shuffling over to us, but now there was a tinkling sound. When Nimm appeared next to me, I laughed at his colorful ensemble of green-striped socks, a blue and red vest, and his stocking hat adorned with silver bells.
He made a face and pointed at the open door. I left the throne room and headed out of the palace doors to the colorful line of wagons. At the head of the first wagon was a tall elf, dressed even more ridiculously than Nimm.
His blonde hair was covered by a similar hat to Nimm’s, with even larger silver bells. His green eyes sparkled mischievously as Percy jumped down from the wagon in a mismatched outfit that was raided from the lost and found bin.
“Percy, what are you wearing?” I covered my eyes and laughed, thoroughly embarrassed for him.
“I’ve joined the Magical Menagerie.” He grinned, waving his hat and giving a bow. “Bravado and Sorek insisted I’m a natural. And I’m hoping a beautiful silk aerialist will fall into my lap.” He raised an eyebrow at me. “Do you know of any?”
I couldn’t hold back the laughter as I realized Percy had fallen in love with performing. He had always been fascinated with humans, and this seemed right up his alley.
In the driver’s seat of the wagon behind Percy was Bravado, his arms and leg still bandaged and healing from the fire. His glorious mustache was missing, but his eyes twinkled when he saw my look of shock over Percy’s new wardrobe.
“I may not be as good with a needle and thread as my Amaryllis was, but I did my best,” he laughed.
“It’s perfect!”
I ached and grieved for everyone we’d lost, but tiny pieces of my broken heart were healed when I learned that Saphira, Bravado, and Sorek had survived, though not without some damage. Sorek had burns across most of his back and was being tended to by Saphira, who sold her inn and decided to rejoin the troupe. I think in part it was to stay close to Sorek. And with Nimm also came more gnomes, who all joined in to pick up Humperstink’s work.
“What do you say, Honor?” Percy called out. “Shall we travel the kingdoms, maybe cause some havoc along the way?”
“Are you going to stay out of the taverns and stop cheating at cards?” I teased.
“What? You were the one who taught me how to cheat!” He pointed at me, laughing.
I blushed and raced down to him. Percy swept me up in an embrace and kissed me.
“Is that a yes?” he asked.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You would really give up your duty to run away with me?”
“I told you, being a scout was your dream. My dream is being with you.”
“What if I commanded you to—” I started.
Percy cut me off. “You can’t command someone that loves you. Those are the rules that I just made up. And I’ve loved you for years.”
“Really?” I said in surprise. “That long?”
“I’ve shown it in every way I could. In all the hours I sat by you, cared for you, played pranks with you. It was to get closer to you. I was waiting for you to stop fighting your own feelings and admit that you loved me back. I knew you loved me. You’re terrible at hiding your feelings. Everyone knew you loved me . . . except you.”
He pressed his lips to mine, and I melted in his embrace. This was what I wanted. Him.
When we pulled apart, he was breathless. “Please, run away with me to join the Magical Menagerie.”
“Well, the kings and queens will still need spies,” I mused.
“And we could stay near the ley lines.”
“It’s perfect.” I smiled at him.
Percy’s eyes lit up with joy, and he kissed me. “I agree. My plans are always perfect.”
“Hardly,” I countered.
“Let’s put itching powder in Ardax’s uniform one more time before we leave,” he whispered, and kissed me again on the lips.
I grinned. “He’ll never know it was us.”
“Yeah, he will,” Rumple yelled out.
We turned to see a stunned Ardax holding Rumple in his hands.
Our faces flushed bright red with guilt.
Ardax’s eyebrows shot straight up. “I knew that was you!”
“Somebody’s in trouble,” Rumple sing-songed.
“Why do you always have to be a pain in the axe?” Percy choked out.
Ardax hefted the axe in his hands and eyed Percy’s head. “You better run!”
Percy took off, and Ardax chased him down playfully while Rumple screamed out in joy. “Run, ya little elf! I’m going to chop you down to house-elf size.”
The two bantered, racing over and around the wagons, until Percy disappeared and hid his aura next to a grove of trees.
Ardax froze, unable to see where he went. He looked to me for help, as I could always find the elves and saw the shimmer. I pointed, and Ardax took off running again.
As soon as he caught Percy, he handed over the axe. “You take him. He won’t shut up.” Ardax laughed and bolted into the palace, turning his head slightly to yell, “And stay away from my uniform!”
I was laughing so hard my sides hurt. Even Bravado was wiping tears away as he said, “Come on, Percival, the invisible elf. Are you ready to hit the road?”
Percy jogged back to me, and Rumple now hung on his shoulder. “Are you ready, Honor? For our next adventure?”
“As long as you’re by my side, I’ll be ready for anything.” I threaded my fingers through his, then hopped up onto the wagon.
“I’m coming too, right?” Rumple asked. “After all, the menagerie needs a dwarf to be complete.”
“You’re not a dwarf,” Bravado called out. “You’re going to be the star of the troupe.” He turned and gave me a sly look. “How do you feel about chopping down targets while singing a cappella?”