Phillip stared at her in horror, but he took the mouse and cupped his hands around him. He could feel the trembling of the little body and the racing of the tiny heart. “Why did you do that?”

“I’m helping,” she said with a pout. “He’s in less danger as a mouse. And we’re in less danger without having to worry he will do something foolish.”

With a sigh, Phillip lifted his cupped hands to eye level. “Don’t worry, Simon. She’ll change you back as soon as we’re out of the prison. I promise. And until then, you can sit on my shoulder.”

Maleficent was already walking up a rough-cut stone staircase, taking a torch from the wall to light her way. Phillip followed, trying to ignore the feeling of tiny claws digging into his skin, even through the fabric of his shirt. “That’s right,” he murmured. “Hold on tight.”

They stepped onto a landing of hewed stone, and Phillip realized where they must be. They were not just on Count Alain’s land. This was one of his iron mines. No wonder Maleficent had been suffering.

There were carts piled with ore, waiting to be unloaded. And there was the wide opening of a man-made cave, leading out to a forest at night. Stars dotted the sky, and the scent of fresh air filled Phillip’s lungs.

There was a guardhouse near that opening. From it, three soldiers emerged, along with Lord Ortolan.

Phillip cursed softly. Maleficent threw down her torch, obscuring them from view.

“Who’s there?” the advisor called in a voice wavering with alarm.

The guards advanced toward the fallen light. They were armored, whereas the jailers below had not been. Phillip thought he recognized one of them as the soldier who’d stabbed him in the side. As they got closer, all drew iron blades.

“Stay hidden,” Maleficent whispered to him. “Get out once the fighting begins. Steal a horse and find Aurora.”

“What about you?”

“With any luck I will best them and beat you there,” she whispered, her eyes lit with wild torchlight. “I travel faster than you ever shall.”

Phillip wasn’t bad with a blade, but he did the sort of fencing that distinguished a nobleman. He was used to a saber, not a heavy broadsword like the ones the guards were carrying.

And he had neither weapon.

Maleficent’s mouth turned up into a smile and she walked forward, leaving Phillip hesitating. Should he follow her instructions? He slid toward the far wall of the mine and the shadows there.

No one was looking at him. They were staring at Maleficent as she walked into the torchlight and lifted her hands. A great wind whooshed from her fingertips, knocking the guards over and sending even Lord Ortolan to his knees. Even with all the iron around her, her magic was still something to behold.