CH. 44.1 – Ezra and Janine had just reached the hallway when someone pounded on the front door. Eli and Janine each grabbed a sword from the stand. Bernie stood ready to kick whoever was on the other side.
“Who is it?” Janine said.
“Your friends,” said a familiar voice. “It’s cold out here. Let us in.”
Janine flung the door open. “Col! Bee!” She threw down the sword and wrapped her arms around her foster parents. “I’m so glad to see you. Come on in.”
Col and Bee led their horses inside the large double doors.
“We had a feeling you were in trouble.” Bee stared at the salt statues of Jay, Fritter, the horse, and the dragon. “I’d say we were right.”
Col turned to Ezra and shook his hand. “Prince Ezra, it’s so good to see you awake and on your feet. I wondered how long it would be before Janine kissed you.”
Janine blushed and looked over at Ezra, who grinned up at Col.
“I’m very glad to meet you too, sir. You’re a lot younger than I imagined.”
Col laughed and patted his hair. “I get that all the time.”
Janine danced with impatience. “Enough foolishness. Zelda has taken Prince Eli to the castle. If we start now, we might be able to catch up with them. And by the way, Zelda is a troll.”
At her words, a shudder went through them all. Janine blinked. Everything looked clearer and sharper now.
“Of course!” Col snapped his fingers. “Trolls. Why couldn’t I see it?”
Bee shook her head. “We’ve all been under a spell, that’s why. No one has been able to even think the word ‘troll’ for months now, let alone speak it. But you, my darling girl, have broken the spell.” She hugged Janine and kissed her forehead.
“Me? Oh, no, Ezra said it first.” Janine blushed. “Can we go now?”
Felix swished his tail in annoyance. “You can’t go barging off to the castle without a plan. You haven’t even heard my news. Besides, Mr. Dumfries has a hot meal waiting in the kitchen, and that includes strawberry tarts.”
Carol Nicolas 