Are you stupid? Kiki’s voice lectured us over group chat. Do you really mean to confront the Hellquists about a contract without the contracts expert?

A wave of embarrassment washed over me when I realized that I hadn’t thought of Kiki in my haste to confront the evil Hellquists. Joe, however, had done some thinking. We didn’t invite you because we don’t trust you.

There was an iciness in Alariel’s voice that I hadn’t noticed before as she scolded Joe. We’ve been over this, Joe. I am not going to have this meaningless debate again. Arguing with the people who came to help is counterproductive.

Kalli whispered in my ear through mate chat. We need to stop them. They usually argue for hours like this.

I sighed, just wishing the drama would end. Walking over to Joe, I hesitantly placed my hand on his shoulder, choosing to speak out loud so I didn’t just add fuel to the fire. “I understand your hesitation to include Kiki. Honestly, I do. However, I have to do what’s best for Kalli here and Kiki knows contracts better than any of us. Please let me have this one.”

Joe’s eyes narrowed and he brushed my hand off of his shoulders. “Fine. Do what you want. I take it you don’t need me here then?”

I watched in silence as Joe stomped off toward the forest. Run shrugged at me and sighed. “That’s about as well as that could have gone. He will get better once we rescue Wendy.”

With one last sad look, Rundell ran off after his friend. It didn’t take long for Kiki and Alariel to find us. Crypian walked behind them, a couple of paces back.

Kiki grinned and waved at us as they drew near, intentionally speaking out loud to give Joe some space. “Brother. You didn’t come to see us when you got here. I missed you.”

I returned the smile and said, “I missed you too. Thanks for your help with the contract.”

Turning her attention to the large house on the hill looming in the distance, she said, “Let’s do this.”

Overall, Hellquist Manor was smaller than I remembered it. Of course, the only other time I had been there was through the dream of a much younger Kalliphae.

As soon as the five of us reached the gate, it swung open. Kiki flexed her arms and said, “It looks like they were expecting us.”

We followed her up the path as she marched toward the house. I noticed that Alariel had brought the visor on her helmet down, obscuring her face once again.

The door swung open as we approached and we were greeted by a familiar butler. I skipped forward a few steps to push past Kiki and spoke to the old man. “Jeeves! Long time no see. We demand to speak with the lady of the house.”

The butler looked me up and down, motioning us inside. “Indeed. The Lady Hellquist is expecting you. Right this way.”

The last thing I expected was to be greeted cordially. We followed the butler in silence to the sitting room where Lady Hellquist was waiting for us with a tea service.

She poured tea as we entered the room and greeted us in a bubbly voice that was nothing at all like Kalli remembered from her dream. “Welcome esteemed guests. I have been looking forward to your visit.”

“Yeah, right!” Kiki said, slamming her fist on the table and causing the tea to spill. “Have your servants present us with the contract right now.”

Lady Hellquist’s expression didn’t change. She motioned to an ancient-looking couch and said, “Why don’t you all make yourselves comfortable. There is much to tell.”

Kalli and I exchanged a nervous glance as I took a seat in the middle of the couch and said, “Is it true that you sold Kalli’s contract to someone?”

Lady Hellquist let out a sigh and sat daintily in an armchair, setting the teapot down gently. “Business first then. Very well. We did not sell the contract. Such a thing would be very crude. This is a young girl’s life we’re talking about here. No. A representative from the royal family approached us and showed an interest in the girl. For that, we owe you a great deal of thanks. Never in my life did I dream that our lowly family would gain the favor of a great house.”

Kiki sat next to me, causing Kalli to have to walk around the couch to sit on my other side. The negotiator glared at the old woman and said, “I don’t care about any of that. Produce the contract now.”

Lady Hellquist shrugged theatrically, holding both arms out to her side. “Sorry. I can’t help you. The gentleman who acquired the contract made it very clear that no copies were to remain in my possession.”

I placed a hand on Kiki’s knee, a gesture that I hoped would calm the girl. “You said you didn’t sell it. Did they take it by force?”

“Heaven’s no.” The woman began. “Though I am sure they could have if they wished to. I gave it to them willingly. The honor alone will raise my family name by an order of magnitudes. I may even receive an invitation to the wedding in Dabia. Wouldn’t that be lovely? There is also the matter of providing a suitable wife for my son. All of that is being taken care of. As you can see, we ended up doing so much better than some peasant orphan girl and I have you both to thank for it.”

It was my turn to slam my fist down on the table. “You are an idiot. You couldn’t do better than Kalli if you lived a thousand lives.”

Kalli’s affection swelled through our connection, making me lose my train of thought as I turned and looked into her eyes. Kiki took over for me again. “Who wrote the contract in the first place?”

“I am forbidden from giving you that information.” Lady Hellquist replied, sipping her tea.

Nodding while rubbing her chin, Kiki asked, “Are you bound by some covenant not to speak of the contract?”

Lady Hellquist nodded quietly. Kiki continued, “What are you permitted to tell us.”

She slumped a little in her armchair when she spoke. “I can tell you that the contract was acquired by someone from the capital. Someone important. They are waiting for you there as we speak.”

Kiki leaned forward and huffed impatiently. “This doesn’t make any sense at all. You yourself said that Kalli is a peasant. Why is royalty interested in her contract?”

Lady Hellquist turned to look at me as she spoke. “I do not believe they care about the girl in the slightest. Their representative seemed very interested in the boy.”

I opened my mouth to speak and Kiki stopped me. Let her talk. I already knew that they weren’t interested in her. I want to see if she slips and says something useful.

Silence hung in the air for a moment before Lady Hellquist continued. “I don’t think they are interested in bringing the girl into their bloodline. They already proved that by offering me far better stock for my son. Untainted stock. I heard about your dalliance with this boy, young lady.”

Without warning, Kalli jumped to her feet, flames betraying her emotions by flaring to life all over her body. “I have never…I mean, I am still eighty percent pure. How dare you accuse me of anything after you promised me to that foul pig of a brother or yours.”

Lady Hellquist also stood, scoffing indignantly. “So you admit it. You have given yourself to this boy. I would say that you are in breach of contract but you aren’t my problem anymore.”

I stood next to Kalli and informed the lady. “I am your problem now and I am going to do everything in my power to make your life suck just as much as you were going to do to Kalli.”

“Do you mean to attack me?” Lady Hellquist stammered. “There are protections in place against…”

“Heh,” I cut her off with a laugh. “You think you are so special living up here in your high house, lording over what you call peasants. I am going to awaken everyone in this village and prove that you aren’t that special after all. You know what, I’m going to make houses so big that your house is going to look like a shack by comparison.”

I was being childish and I knew it. The conversation died as everyone in the room gaped at me. Clearing her throat, Lady Hellquist asked, “Can you truly do that?”

“Watch me.” I bellowed, starting for the door.

Kiki grabbed my hand, tugging at me to sit down. Melvin. We’re not done here. Cool your jets for a second.

Plopping back down in the chair, I seethed in newfound anger at the noblewoman. Kalli gave my hand a squeeze and I turned to see the worry in her eyes. Mel, it’s okay. Her words don’t bother me. This is just how nobles act.

It bothers me. She looks down on you. Treats you like some kind of property that she decided to sell. I’m beyond mad.

The conversation between Kiki and Lady Hellquist was going on without me, my attention focused on Kalli. You have to get over it. She doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is the contract. That and rescuing Wendy.

My angst ran out of me as I faltered under the weight of Kalli’s deep blue eyes.

Okay. Let’s focus on the contract.

We both turned out attention to Lady Hellquist to catch the tail end of her statement. “…less than a month remaining. That should be plenty of time.”

Turning to Kiki, I asked, What did I just miss? What happens in a month?

She rolled her eyes at me and explained, Kalli turns sixteen in three weeks. Kalli can still buy her way out of the contract if we get to the capital in time. Apparently, that part of the contract was iron-clad.

“How long does it take to get to the capital?” I asked, not sure if the topic had been discussed yet.

Lady Hellquist smirked at me as she replied, “It will take three weeks if you are traveling on foot. Two if by carriage. If you waste time carrying out your petty threats, I am quite certain you won’t make it in time.”

Standing up, I nodded. “Lovely meeting you. I guess I’ll be back later to carry out my petty threats. Thanks for the advice.”

As I hurried through town, I could feel my entire body trembling from emotions that I couldn’t define. I was outraged that people could dismiss Kalli the way that woman had.

Kalli ran after me. Mel, wait up. Are you okay? She isn’t the enemy. Not anymore.

How can anyone treat a person that way?

Kalli kissed my cheek, wrapping her arms around me. That’s why I love you. You would never treat anyone like that. Not even people who deserve it.

Any argument I had planned died in my throat. I could only manage a single reply.

I love you too.

We found the army packed and ready to go when we returned to the forest. Joe watched Kalli and I and said, “Did you trade Kiki to get out of your contract? It would serve her right.”

“Joe!” Rundell barked from somewhere in the Mecharriage.

Joe groaned and wiped his forehead with a dirty towel. “Fine. Whatever. We’re ready to leave. How long will they be?”

“Are you talking about us?” Kiki’s chipper voice called from behind me. “We just had to wrap something up. Mel, you don’t have to worry about the Hellquists. We persuaded her to see things from our point of view before we left. She says she is sorry if she offended you.”

“How did you do to that?” I asked in disbelief.

With a mischievous grin on her face, Kiki draped her arm over Alariel’s plated shoulder, “That, brother, is a secret.”

Alariel looked uncomfortable, though I noticed that the helmet had come off. Crypian, who was a few paces behind, as usual, added, “I gave her a prophecy as well. Let’s just say she was less than pleased.”

Unable to contain herself any longer, Kiki giggled profusely. “That’s right. Ol’ Crippy here told her that she would kneel before you. Talk about icing on the cake.”

Feeling a swell of affection for the old prophet, I flashed him a smile and said, “Thanks!”