Lucas rolled his eyes. “Yes. But it was never in the same place, right, Trite? No one can find it because it doesn’t exist. It’s an old Winter story about a magic coast where lost, lonely children are carried to live merrily together.”

“It’s as real as any place in Winter. It’s in different places on those maps because it’s always moving. That’s why even those who claim to have seen it can never find it twice.”

Lucas craned his neck to study her. “Ragnashuck, you seem to care a good measure about what happens to us Rime Folk. Has it not crossed your pretty little Trite mind that you could leave us to our own demise?” Lucas did not give her time to reply. “And what makes you believe I’ll do a thing about any of this once you’re gone?”

She tilted her head. “I hope you’re joking.”

Lucas released a heavy, howly, huff sound. “Yes, fine, I joke. But I’d like a payment, nonetheless. Especially since you’re asking me to find a place that doesn’t exist.” Kaley did not hide the rolling of her green eyes. “I have a thing in mind,” he added.

“Great.”

The Patrolman’s dangerously wide grin caught her eye. “I think I’d like a kiss.”

Kaley backed away a pinch. “A what?”

“Oh, don’t muddle your mittens, darling. Not a big one, just one the size of a button would do.” He pulled something from his pocket, and Kaley blinked at Eliot Gray’s pearl button she had tossed into the snow a measure of days ago.

“How about a trade?” Lucas offered, holding the button out.

“I don’t want Eliot’s button.” Kaley tried to flick the pearly bead away, but Lucas drew his hand back.

“Fine, Trite. I forbid you from kissing me. And you get no button. I’m sure you’re secretly heartwrenched.”

“I’m positive it’s the other way around.” Kaley picked up the spoon and threw it over the wall. Lucas followed suit and hurled the fork, much higher than her throw. Not that it was a contest.

A moment or three passed before he spoke again. “Do you want to know why I’m certain that island doesn’t exist, Trite?” he asked.

When Kaley rolled her head against the log to look at him, she found Lucas chewing on his lip, smile gone. A starburst of rust-orange flooded his irises, and she lifted her head from the wall.

“Because I was a lost child, with nothing and no one. And no island fairy came to rescue me.”

Kaley’s lips parted, but no words came. Lucas’s gaze dropped to his butterknife. “So, you see, a place like that cannot exist.” He flung the butterknife into the air and caught it again by its dull blade.