“It’s none of your business what comes next.”

“Oh, but it is.” Lucas shook a finger. “I’ve muddled up a thing or three in seasons past by not asking questions. Which is why I’ll help you help Helen on one condition: You need to tell me everything, even the naughty little secret you’re hiding from your sister.”

Kaley’s wide doe-eyes flickered back to him. “I don’t have secrets from Helen.”

“Rubbish. It’s been all over your face since we left the brew room. I’ll not take another step until you tell me.”

Kaley opened her mouth and closed it again. She huffed, and for a moment, she almost spoke but…nothing.

Lucas sighed. “Your beloved sister was flimsy and hungry all the time when she arrived here—a real peg out of its shell, you know. But you’re different.” He tapped a finger against his Patrol staff, caramel gaze flickering over her legs, her posture, her shoulders. “You’re fearless. So, I’m inclined to believe you’re either more of a daredevil than I am, or you’re just terribly stupid.”

“What? I’m not stupid. And I am just like Helen.” Kaley stabbed her forefinger against Lucas’s chest, and he winced.

“Well, I suppose. You’re both mean for no reason,” he muttered, rubbing the spot.

Kaley moved for the curtain of crisp vines again, but she paused when she realized Lucas had not followed. He cast her a forced smile.

She released a heavy breath and tossed her hands. “Fine! I told Helen what happened to me in the time pocket, and it changed her. It’s my fault Helen is on this mission in the first place. That’s why I’m here. Because I have to help her finish this to repair what I did.”

Her heavy breaths steamed the forest, and the soft hums of birds flitted through the branches above. A crystal bug scurried up a trunk.

Without a word, Lucas sauntered forward and used his Patrol staff to part the pine curtain.

“Let’s go steal a crown,” he said.

Garland-embellished, wooden pillars were wrapped with twinkling lights throughout the village. Wreathes hung on every shop door, dripping wax candles ran along each rail with sparkling yellow flames, and rustic boardwalks weaved between each dwelling.

The boardwalks bustled with a current of creatures—humans, dwarves, and elves—many with wreaths atop their heads; some of forest branches, others of garland vines. Some had wooden armour or olive-green coats with wood toggles, and an elf passed by with branches fastened to his head like the antlers on Lucas’s reindeer.

“Time for noonday-feast,” Lucas announced as he slipped into the river of bodies. Kaley’s pulse sputtered and she jumped in, trying to keep an eye on his raven-black uniform. But his hand came out and found hers; a warm clutch, even through his gloves.

“How will we find something to eat?” Kaley ducked to avoid a folk’s swinging stick-antler.

“Not to worry, darling.” Lucas latched his staff to the contraption on his back and swivelled around, brushing against coats and capes. His free hand came down to press something into Kaley’s palm. She glanced down at it, and her eyes widened.