Then there was the other thing, the thing that had happened after she fell down that hole. An accident, people had said. But it wasn’t an accident. A tiny voice had led her in, made her take one step too many. She hadn’t even tried to tell Father about that. She might have said something when they’d hauled her out of the hole, something only Gormán or Grim would have heard. She’d been dazed and exhausted, not watching her words. She didn’t think she’d told about the truly scary part, when those things had swarmed toward her as she climbed the rope, tearing her skirt with their claws. She’d lived that over and over last night in her dreams. Those tales that pictured the Otherworld as a place of delectable treats, of flowery meadows and pretty beings with gossamer wings, had it all wrong. If it hadn’t been for the birds . . .

‘Cara?’

She flinched. Mhairi was at the door. And the cross little dog. Cara could hear its claws tap-tapping along the floor. She’d thought she would be safe in the prince’s library. With Prince Oran and Lady Flidais both away, who else would be in here?

‘Mistress Blackthorn’s here to see you,’ Mhairi said. ‘Come, Bramble! No dogs in the library.’ The sound of the door closing.

‘So, you’re back.’ Mistress Blackthorn’s voice was a little strange. She sounded as if she had a cold. But at least she didn’t talk as if Cara were a wayward child. Nor was she all soft sympathy and foolishness like some of them: Oh, you poor thing, lost in the woods all by yourself, as if she was weak and useless.

‘I’m back.’ Cara lifted her head from her folded arms and looked at her visitor. Blackthorn’s eyes were red. Her face looked puffy. ‘Are you all right, Mistress Blackthorn?’

The healer came to sit opposite Cara at the long work table. ‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ she retorted. ‘You’re the one who’s been in trouble, or so I’m led to believe. I knew nothing about it until your father came knocking on my door not long ago.’

‘Oh.’

‘I was in Longwater most of yesterday and all last night. I didn’t get home until this morning. I missed the whole thing.’ Blackthorn’s expression softened a little. ‘I’m glad you’re safe, Cara.’

‘Mm. It didn’t work, though. He brought me straight back. As you see. And I’m not allowed to go outside without Mhairi and a guard.’

‘I’d tell you I’m sorry, but it sounds as if he has his reasons. Perhaps good ones. May I ask you a question?’