Page 64 of Adversary to the Villain

“I never knew that.” Keeley frowned.

“You wouldn’t,” Mo told her. “Benedict’s father rid the kingdom of any texts to do with it. Said the only palace known by the citizens would be the Gleaming. But the old palace may just have some magic left. It might be worth a look.”

Keeley leaned in, enraptured. “Do you know where it is?”

Mo chuckled darkly.

“Have either of you heard of Massacre Manor?”

Chapter 29

Evie

“Doing all right there?” Malcolm urged his horse closer to hers in the midday heat. The sun was abnormally hot for this time of year. Evie could feel it burning the skin on her arms but did nothing to stop it.

Trystan rode ahead, murmuring something to Kingsley, who was keeping his seat on a horse fairly well, all things considered. Laughter followed whatever comment Trystan had made, and Evie once again had the distinct impression that being on the outside was not to her liking.

“Of course,” Evie answered Malcolm brightly. “Why do you ask?”

“You’re surrounded by a dark mist literally hovering over your head, so I thought it might be prudent to check on you.” Malcolm glanced up, and Evie realized he was correct; the mist was swooping over her head, tugging on her curls until they recoiled.

She looked Malcolm dead in the eye. “What mist?”

“What? You— Oh, you’re joking. Wonderful. I’m glad.” He shot her a rueful smile. “You seem different since last I saw you.”

They cantered on, Evie processing the words, trying to find a response. “Dimmer?” she concluded, knowing full well she’d surrendered too much lately to her sadness and despair.

“No.” Malcolm frowned. “That’s not it at all. I was going to say you look more…like yourself. If that makes sense.”

“It doesn’t,” Alexander Kingsley chimed in, then chuckled in a gravelly baritone.

“Beautiful,” Trystan murmured, glancing sidelong at her. “That’s what you’re seeing, Malcolm. Someone beautiful.”

Malcolm gave Evie a knowing look. “Is that right?”

“Yes,” Trystan stated, brooking no room for arguing, dragging her heart behind him.

As they journeyed on, the trees grew sparser and sparser, giving way to brushland and the occasional small house or garden. Her horse chuffed nervously, and she murmured words to soothe it. Another huffing sound came until, without further warning, Evie’s horse rose up on its hind legs, causing her to fall and slam against the ground.

Right next to the largest shoe she’d ever seen. “What… Giant?” Her eyes widened, and when the shoe lifted, every muscle in her body responded in the most useless way imaginable.

She froze.

Until she was yanked up by her elbows. “On your feet now,” Trystan said flatly, no emotion as he dragged her out of the way and started running, pulling her along with him.

“Malcolm? Kingsley?”

“Their horses spooked, took off at a sprint in the other direction.”

“I wish mine had done that,” she yelled, leaning into him as they kept running, until they finally took shelter behind a large tree.

The ground shook as the giant took another step, screaming at the top of her lungs, “FEE FI FO FUM.” The giant woman was wearing a formal gown that was large enough to second as a tent for smaller humans. It was beautiful, as was the dark silken hair coming down her back. Her face was more difficult to discern, likely because it was about a mile north of where Evie stood.

“That’s a giant,” Evie murmured, pointing up from where they were hidden.

“And that’s a rock,” Trystan deadpanned. “May we play I-spy later?”

“Your bad attitude isn’t helping, you know! This could be the one we’re looking for!”