Rosalina
I TRAVERSE THE THICKET of coiling thorns that wind their way up the staircase to the dungeon
tower. On one of my first evenings within Castletree, I dared to climb to the dungeon and rescue the
prisoner held captive there. But I’d been ignorant of the terrible curse that plagued the princes—a
curse that condemned Farron to become a ferocious wolf at nightfall. It was then I realized the true
reason he was locked in that cell. For when the moon rises high and the beastly form emerges, he
hungers not for freedom but for flesh.
Unlike the others, Farron has no control over his beast.
I clutch a book. It was one I’d left in my room before Kel forced me back to Orca Cove. Farron had
recommended it to me, a collection of ballads and love stories from the Autumn Realm. Somehow, I
know he’s in torment. It’s a silly idea, but maybe my presence will soothe him.
The door to the dungeon is a massive slab of iron with rust coating its surface. From beyond it, I
hear deep growls and the thrashing of chains. My heart careens in my chest, but I force myself
through. The creaking hinges groan as I push it open, revealing a dark and musty chamber.
My feet tread quietly on the stone as I grow closer to Farron’s cell. I thumb open the book, trying to
see the words in the flickering light of the torches.
“‘As I traverse the forest with my dear companion, the world takes on a wondrous hue of cerulean.
The leaves rustle with the gentle caress of the breeze, and the soft ground beneath our feet sings with
the sweet melody of our footsteps.’” My voice is barely audible over the clinking chains. “‘’Twas in
that verdant grove that we chanced upon the will-o’-wisps. Or, I should say, they chanced upon us.’”
The chains groan as I near his cell. The torch nearest is burnt out, and all I can glimpse is a dark
mass of fur, the shine of sharp teeth in the moonlight from the window.
“‘The elusive creatures appeared as if from nowhere, their ethereal glow illuminating the emerald
foliage.’” I swallow in a dry throat and blink back down at my pages. “‘They laid upon us, alighting
my bosom and hers, revealing the depth of our intimate bond. In that fleeting moment, it was as if they
could see into the very souls of our beings, and—’”
The chain rattles relentlessly, my presence sending the wolf into a deep frenzy. It bounds into the
moonlight. Twigs, mushrooms, and branches are matted into the brown fur of the beast, as if the forest
itself has woven its way onto the creature. I struggle to comprehend how the horror that stands before
me could be my sweet Autumn Prince. The wolf’s eyes lock onto mine, and I feel as though I am
staring into the depths of an endless abyss.
I know I should turn and run, but my feet are rooted to the ground. The beast lunges, jaws wide, and
bites the bars separating us. They creak, shaking at the base—
I scream, jumping back, as my book falls from my hand.
A sound like thunder echoes through the dungeon as an enormous form leaps in front of me.
Keldarion howls, and his massive paws slam onto the ground, spreading ice along the prison. The
Autumn wolf’s growl descends to a whimper as the ice touches its paw, and it slinks back to the
corner of its cell, curling into itself.
My heart bleeds with fear and pain and sorrow. Then the giant white wolf turns his frosty gaze to
me. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I—”
He shakes his head before snatching me in his massive jaws. Great, so we’re back to this again.
The white wolf carries me to my room, depositing me on my bed. And I hate that every part of me
aches to reach out for him to stay and aches to return to the Autumn wolf in the dungeon.
Keldarion doesn’t say another word before he leaves.
I curl into a ball, knowing something deep within me. I have to save Farron.
Save him from himself.