For a moment, the Marshal stood very still, his expression and his eyes unwavering, while he composed himself. Even a flicker of relief at the Queen's departure could mean the beginning of his downfall. He turned a cold eye on his injured subordinates, and he wiped a streak of blood from his own forehead. He couldn't afford to be weak. "They'll be making the fastest route to the city," he informed them. "Find the girl: she'll be slow and sloppy without the guide roads. The cat will remain near her. Stay within my sight, or I swear to the Eves I will leave you to the Jockal." The woods would be dangerous going, even with their chainmail and swords. He half expected to find those girls in pieces before long.

With the Marshal in the lead, the three moved out at a brisk pace, following the trampled leaves and broken branches that Sam had left in her wake.

---

Dorothea's tail twitched against Sam's back. She sat straight and prim on the girl's shoulder, her big eyes watching ahead. "The Queen is not my mother," she said smartly, and she raised her chin. "My mother was beautiful, and kind, and beloved by all the kingdoms. This Queen is my poor father's conniving wife." Her tail was smacking Sam's shoulders. "She didn't tell me why she transformed me into a housecat, but I suspect it has to do with Liam." She was quiet another moment, a terrible anger roiling in her little stomach, while the chill wind blew a flurry of dead leaves across their path. "So you understand, Liam is the prince of the neighboring kingdom. He and I would be married, to unite our two kingdoms, except my stepmother the Queen Narissa is jealous. She's always been pushing her own moaning daughter at Liam and playing foul tricks to separate me from him. It is just like her to turn me into a beast to prevent my wedding for good, so Raquelle would be Liam's only choice for a bride. I daresay she plans to seize influence in both our kingdoms, to rule the continent before her greed might be satisfied."

Her ears perked, and she swiveled her head to glance behind. "You may want to run, Sam." Indeed, she could clearly hear the clink of armor behind them. Dorothea braced herself against Sam's neck. "Don't fall."