“Well, if you’re not interested in him, I certainly am,” said Nicola.
“I see,” Sophie chuckled. Then like a switch had flipped, her face clouded over. “See, that’s the thing. To say something like that, and to a Dean no less, is highly inappropriate. Hort is a teacher and you are a student. It doesn’t matter that he’s hardly older than you and is as much of a ‘teacher’ as I am a horned troll. Anyone knows teachers can’t be chummy with students. Besides, Hort already chose his true love long ago and it’s not like she’s going anywhere, is she? So if I were you, I’d focus on helping us complete our quest and getting home to your dear father as soon as you can.”
Nicola felt as if she’d been slapped.
Sophie was already walking away. “Come, Boobeshwar. Mother has fresh nuts for you. . . .”
This time the mongoose followed, its loyalty easily bought.
Nicola watched them go, flurrying with emotions. For one thing, she knew from reading that the girl was a master manipulator. And yet, as much as she hated to admit it, Sophie was right: Nicola couldn’t stay in this world much longer, even if she wanted to . . . so despite the fact her dreamy fantasy hunk had just flirted with her, keeping her distance from Hort seemed both prudent and practical. . . .
But there were bigger things to worry about right now. Because through the darkening sky, she heard the shriek of birds and saw the outline of tall, gray cliffs. . . .
“Land ho!” she cried.
The galley door flung open and she heard the crew running onto the deck—
Nicola turned to them, framed by the foaming spray of waves, like a captain in a storybook. “Man your stations! Avalon ahead!”
11
AGATHA
Stay with the Group
It’s hard not to think of your true love when you’re wearing his clothes.
But if Agatha thought about Tedros, she also had to think of a Snake who wanted to take him down . . . a Snake who didn’t yet have a name. . . .
She could hear the crew crunching through snow—Sophie, Hort, Nicola, Bogden, Willam, the three witches—each armed with a weapon and following her dutifully even though Agatha didn’t have a clue where she was going.
She’d been to Avalon Island before, but that was months ago, when Merlin was guiding them, the only person besides the King of Camelot to whom the Lady of the Lake’s castle would open. But now Agatha had no Merlin to open those castle gates nor the slightest idea how to even find the castle, since last time she’d been so busy fretting about Tedros dumping her for Sophie that she hadn’t noticed the route.
Not that there was a route to find anymore. Powdery snow matted the desolate shrubland and was still falling fast. There was no sun to guide them either, its afternoon light trapped behind a wall of gray. Shivering in her bandana, Agatha shoved her chapped hands deeper in Tedros’ brown leather jacket, which she’d worn over his cut-off breeches. Stupid me, she thought. She’d packed for summer even though her teacher Yuba had told them in Forest Groups that it was always winter in Avalon.
Agatha plodded ahead gloomily. First she’d almost drowned her crew and now she was freezing them to death. Her quest was off to a rousing start.
A whiff of Tedros’ minty scent came off her shirt.
“This isn’t your quest. It’s mine,” his voice echoed.
Maybe he’d been right. He was the one whose best friend was dead. He was the Lion in the Storian’s tale.
So why am I here without him? Agatha thought.
Because he’d insisted that a king couldn’t abandon his people. But that wasn’t the whole truth, of course. The truth was that she wanted him to stay behind. She wanted to keep him out of danger.
Little had she known that a Snake might be coming for him.
Agatha gritted her teeth. No matter what—or who—was ahead, she’d save her prince.
This isn’t right, said a voice inside her. No one can save Tedros but himself.
Agatha rolled her eyes. Didn’t princes save princesses all the time?
This isn’t about boys and girls, the voice said. This is about destiny. This is about the truth. You’re only making his problems worse— Agatha squashed the voice down.
She glanced over her shoulder at the Igraine, peeking behind the cliff rock where they’d anchored a couple miles off. Instinct told her she was going the right way. She plowed forward, snow coating her lashes, a dagger strapped to her back.
Sophie accosted her in a voluminous white fur coat. “At first I was thinking a ‘Nanook of the North’ theme for your wedding, with faux tundra, penguin caterers, and Teddy in an ice-blue leotard. Now not so much.”
Agatha didn’t smile.
“You’re worried about him, aren’t you?” Sophie sighed.
“Not because of whatever you read in the Royal Rot.”
“You’re worried about him because you love him, Aggie. Just like I worry about you.”
Agatha looked at her.
“Don’t be so shocked, darling. I know I’m wicked and petty and call Teddy a boob to anyone who will listen, but he loves you as much as you love him and you two will get married on October 14th come hell or high water,” said Sophie. “When Dovey first enlisted me for this quest, I tossed it off, thinking it had nothing to do with me. But I’m starting to see why it is my quest. Because I won’t let any ‘Snake’ get in the way of my best friend’s Ever After, especially after I played that role myself for far too long. And if it means risking my life to get you and Teddy to that altar safe and sound . . . well, even the villain can play the hero sometimes.”
Agatha’s eyes grew wide. “Did you really turn the Doom Room into a dance club on Saturday nights?”
“Complete with lava pit and monthly foam parties,” said Sophie. “Why?”
“Just making sure you’re the same girl,” Agatha said.
“Well, if you go on ignoring my letters, I’ll buy every last dungbomb in the Endless Woods and stymph-raid your castle.”
“Definitely the same girl.”
Sophie brushed snow off Agatha’s face. “You know, if the Storian is referencing that fairy tale, it means the Snake wants Teddy’s crown. So why doesn’t he just storm Camelot and kill him? Why go after other kingdoms? Why go after our friends? Only that got me thinking . . . The Snake can’t storm Camelot and kill Tedros. Killing Teddy won’t make him king. It would lead to war with the whole Woods. So he must have some other plan.”
“But what other plan could he have?” said Agatha. “Tedros is Arthur’s blood and the only rightful king by royal law. No matter what he does, nothing will ever change that.”
They pondered this silently, listening to Agatha’s teeth chatter.
“Do you want to huddle under my coat?” Sophie asked. “We’ll look like conjoined twins, but we can’t have you dying. You’re the only one who knows where we’re going.”