Tuesday, December 9

Pavel was as good as his word. Molly and Schrodinger were just finishing breakfast when they heard a knock on the door. “Come in!” Molly called, getting up to fix another plate of eggs, bacon and homemade cinnamon-raisin toast. Pavel’s eyes lit up as he came into the kitchen and saw the place set for him.

“This is the best way to start a day,” he said, settling into his chair. Molly noticed he was dressed in what Drew called “pirate fashion” – black pants, white shirt, a red sash around his waist, and a black vest, with tall black boots. “Good food, and good friends.”

Molly smiled at him, putting a steaming mug of tea at his elbow. “You know you’re always welcome, Pavel.”

“If I were ever to actually settle down, it would be here in the Cove,” he told her, tucking in. Schrodinger had finished his meal but was lingering over a second cup of Earl Grey. Molly still had a bit of eggs on her plate, but she wasn’t really that hungry, so she pushed the plate aside and picked up her own tea mug.

“Will you ever settle down?” she asked him, and wasn’t surprised to see him shudder violently.

“Lord, no! But I might build a house here, so I can be near you and Drew,” he told her. “I can’t imagine ever not being able to get to the sea. Besides, I get into trouble when I get bored.”

You get into trouble anyways, Schrodinger pointed out, and Pavel chuckled, saluting him with his tea cup.

“True enough.”

Molly watched him eat for a moment, then said, “Pavel, who was Herse?”

The pirate’s fork paused, and the look he shot her was equal parts surprise and calculation. “Where did you hear that name?”

“I went to look at the memorial behind the Gate Station,” she said. “There were four pillars, and on one of them was a raindrop. The inscription gave the name Herse. Who was she?”

“She’s a daughter of Zeus, and she’s still around, I think,” Pavel said, after a few moments. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that you found that, but I am.”

“A daughter of Zeus.” Molly blinked. “That wasn’t what I was expecting.”

“Your friends move in rarified circles,” Pavel said, finishing his breakfast and putting his fork down before picking up his tea mug again. “She and Jade were very close. After the battle ended, she sided with Jade against Jack and Caliban, but that’s not surprising.” When Molly cocked her head, he clarified, “She has always been very close to mortals. Many of the minor gods and goddesses were. She didn’t like the way Caliban and Jack held themselves apart from the people of the Cove.”

“What did they do, Pavel?” Molly asked. “Everything I’ve found says that they didn’t like the mortals in the Cove, but that Jade forced them to help her. But they don’t say why the split happened, and Jack got interrupted when he was going to tell me.”

Pavel hesitated again and Molly fixed him with a hazel glare. “Don’t lie to me, Pavel,” she said. “Father Christopher said they were banished because they were fighting over the Snow Queen, and that they were going to destroy the Cove with their battle.”

“That’s part of it,” he agreed, setting his empty cup down on the table. “Let’s get moving and I’ll tell you the rest.”

Molly started to object, but he held up a hand. “It’s a long tale, Molly, and we have a ways to go. I’ll tell you in the carriage.” He looked at her – she’d decided she wasn’t going to pander to anyone’s preconceived notions, and was dressed in slim dark jeans, a dark green silk shirt that shimmered a bit in the light and brought out the emerald hues of her eyes, and a pair of black ballet flats. Two silver barrettes held her hair back from her face, the snowflakes on them echoing the snowflakes that hung from her ears.

Now, as Pavel continued to look at her, Molly lifted her chin. “Yes?”

“Making a statement?” he asked, pointing at her jewelry.

“Yes,” Molly said, not bothering to pretend she didn’t know what he was talking about. “Jade is my friend. She’s the one I’m doing this for.”

“Well, then let’s go.”

His carriage waited in the front yard, two black horses stamping their feet impatiently, eager to be off. Pavel had brought out his fancy carriage this time, twin to the sleigh he usually had: it was chased with silver, and decorated for the season with holly wreaths. The horses had green and red ribbons braided into their manes and tails, and to Molly’s surprise, there was both a driver and a footman, dressed in black, waiting for them.

The footman held the door to the carriage open, and helped them inside. Once they were seated on the plush green velvet seats, Pavel rapped on the roof and said in a loud voice, “Stumpleton, and take the Roads, not the Station, Thom. The sooner we’re there, the sooner we can return.”

Schrodinger looked at Pavel. How are you planning on getting onto the Road? he asked suspiciously, and the pirate winked at him.

The driver shouted to the horses, and they leaped forward, their hooves thundering on the driveway. Then they jumped again, and Molly felt a Gate open.

You’re cheating! Schrodinger accused. You have a portable Gate built into this carriage!

“You never know when you might need to hop a Road,” Pavel said blandly, his blue eyes twinkling. “Besides, if we went through the Station, everyone would know where we were going, and this isn’t a pleasure trip.”

“No,” Molly agreed, leaning back against her seat. “It’s not.” She gave Pavel another pointed look. “Now, why were Jack and Caliban banished? What happened?”

“Father Christopher was partially right,” Pavel said heavily. “There was a fight, and they were well on their way to wrecking the Cove over her, which didn’t sit well with the Snow Queen. But that was just the beginning, I think. It was what she found when the dust settled, and how they reacted to her questions, that was the final straw.”

What did she find? Schrodinger asked.

“The body of a young man, killed by Caliban and Jack,” Pavel said. “And when she demanded to know why, Caliban told her that there were always sacrifices. Jack wouldn’t say anything against Caliban – he still won’t, although it’s clear he doesn’t like him anymore. So she banished both of them from her presence.”

“I don’t blame her,” Molly said, her face pale. “At all. And I think I understand why Jack wouldn’t tell me.”

“Jack is nothing if not loyal, and he promised the Snow Queen he wouldn’t fight Caliban any more, ever.” Pavel looked out the window, and Molly felt another Gate open. “Let’s hope he doesn’t have to.”

The carriage came down on a smooth road, joining the other vehicles, both motorized and not, that were coming into the town of Stumpleton. It was considered neutral ground by several realms, and the inn, which was more of a large castle than anything else, was commonly used to host delicate negotiations. Molly had never actually been there, but even she had heard the stories.

The driver manuevered his way through the traffic expertly, pulling into the driveway and stopping the carriage at the front door. The footman jumped down and opened the door with a flourish, and Molly stepped out, trying not to gawk at the beautiful building.

Wow, Schrodinger said, hopping down beside her. I’ve never seen anything like this.

“Me either,” Molly agreed. She felt almost childlike next to the building, especially as the doorman (dressed in a uniform so crisp it looked like it could cut air) looked down his nose at them.

“Checking in?” he asked, his tone implying that they weren’t good enough to even be considering it.

That was the wrong tone to take with Molly. Her uneasiness vanished and she straightened, giving him a steely look. “No,” she said, HER tone insinuating that the place wasn’t worth her time. “Meeting someone.” She walked in the door, her chin high, and Pavel and Schrodinger hurried to follow her.

Her momentum carried her to the desk, where a lovely young woman smiled at her. “May I help you?”

“Yes. Molly Barrett, here to see Prince Caliban.”

The receptionist’s smile faltered for a split-second, and her eyes widened. Then she recovered. “Of course, Ms. Barrett. Let me let His Highness know.”

Apparently, His Highness was waiting for that call, because scarcely a minute later, the elevator doors swooshed open and a tall, golden-skinned man came striding across the lobby. Molly raised her eyebrows.

When the Snow Queen and Old Man Winter came around the Cove, they looked human, even though there was that certain something about them that let everyone know they were more than mortal.

Prince Caliban did not look human. He was impossibly pretty, nearly glowing from within, and his dark eyes were slitted, almost like Schrodinger’s. But there was none of the sparkling curiosity of the CrossCat’s in those onyx eyes – just hot power and rage that washed over Molly as his gaze settled on her. The sheer force of his will was in those eyes, and she felt him waiting for her to stumble back. She had no doubt many mortals had.

She did not.

Lifting her chin and one hand to him, Molly smiled sweetly. “Good morning, Your Highness.” She waited until he took her fingers in his warm hand to add, “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

“Have you now?” Hot lips were pressed to her skin, warmer than any she’d ever felt. Where Jack had been cool annoyance and superiority, Caliban was hot hunger, the hunger of someone who cannot be satisfied with mere food. This was a hunger she’d never felt before, and Molly’s fingers trembled slightly as she withdrew her hand from his.

“Yes.” There was no tremble in her voice, though. “I’ve heard some interesting things about you.” She took in his tall, lean figure, swathed in silk and linen in various shades of crimson and gold. He reminded her of a phoenix just before it burst into flames. That dry, dusty scent that had chased them down the Road towards Old Man Winter’s wrapped around him, a faintly threatening perfume that tickled her nostrils.

Caliban laughed, his voice spare and dry, and offered her his arm. “And none of it good, I’m sure.” He looked at Pavel, who had crossed his arms over his chest and radiated quiet violence. “Which is why you brought your bodyguard.”

Molly flicked a warning look at the pirate. “Pavel’s a friend,” she told Caliban. “We needed a ride, and he offered.”

“I’m sure.” Caliban looked down at Schrodinger, who was pressed up against Molly’s leg. “Welcome, young CrossCat. It is a long time since I have seen one of your kind.”

Schrodinger inclined his head. It is good to meet you, Your Highness.

“And so polite.” There were teeth in Caliban’s smile. “Unusual.”

“Are you planning on just insulting my friends all morning?” Molly asked him. “Because if that’s the case, we’ll leave now.” She started to remove her hand from his arm. “I don’t have the patience to play those sort of games, and I’m not going to waste my day off doing so.”

His grip tightened. “My apologies, Miss Barrett. I forget that not everyone is gentry.”

“If by gentry you mean rude as snot while using flowery language, you’re right.” Molly glared at him. “Let go.”

“Please, Miss Barrett.” Caliban looked down at her, and she felt the power he was holding back. “I will behave.”

Molly looked down at Schrodinger and back at Pavel. Both of them nodded, although Pavel looked dubious. Then she turned back to the prince. “All right, Your Highness,” she said, relaxing. “But more insults, and we’re leaving.”

“I will behave,” Caliban repeated, and led them to the elevator. When they were all in, Molly saw this elevator had a bellboy who operated the actual buttons.

No, not a bellboy, she realized, looking at the crimson and gold livery he wore. This was one of Caliban’s servants. She wondered suddenly if the Snow Queen had liveried servants that she’d never seen.

The young man’s eyes widened when Schrodinger came in, but a sharp command in a language she didn’t understand snapped him back to his job. He pushed the button to the penthouse hastily and then shrank into the corner, away from the prince. Schrodinger, with a sharp look for Caliban, went up to him and nosed his hand, purring slightly. The boy, with a look up at his prince for permission, slid a gentle hand across the CrossCat’s head, his face relaxing from fear into wonder again. Schrodinger butted up against him, his purr increasing.

When the doors open, the servant scampered out ahead of the visitors, hurriedly opening doors and making sure everything was set as the prince led Molly and her friends into a large entryway. She saw the penthouse was actually an apartment suite, complete with its own little kitchen, which was currently occupied by another young man, this one in crisp white with a tall chef’s hat. Caliban said something else to him as they walked by, again in that language Molly didn’t understand, and by the time they were seated in a lovely little parlor, the chef and the other servant came in with a full tea tray and all the accoutremonts.

“They are probably not as good as what comes from your kitchen, Miss Barrett, but I hope they are satisfactory,” Caliban said, indicating for the boy to pour tea into delicate gold and white china cups. There was one that was larger than the others, and this one the servant set in front of Schrodinger.

“I’m sure they will be,” Molly said, picking up her tea cup and sipping cautiously. It was hot, and very sweet, very different from what she was used to, but not bad. She ignored the tray with various sandwiches and looked over at the prince. “Now, Your Highness, you wanted to make your case for why I should help you woo the Snow Queen. Go ahead, I’m listening.”

Caliban was seated in a large leather armchair that had aspirations of being a throne. The dainty tea cup looked almost absurd in his large hands. “I don’t actually need your help, Miss Barrett,” he said, and Molly’s eyebrows went up again. “But I know you’re helping Jack, and what I wanted to do was make sure you knew who you were helping.”

“A fall spirit?” Molly shrugged. “Someone who has as big a superiority complex as you do? Someone who got himself banished from the presence of the woman he claims to love?”

“All that, and more,” Caliban agreed. “He’s a murderer, you know.”

“So are you, if what I’ve been told is correct,” Molly retorted. “Why should that be a strike against him and not you?”

“Because he killed spirits, Miss Barrett.” Caliban’s eyes flashed with something darker than she’d thought possible. “I killed mortals, yes, but they would have died anyways. That’s what mortals do. Jack killed immortals.”

“So?” Molly repeated. “Why is that different?”

“Because he killed his own people,” Caliban said. “He betrayed our trust, and my brother died because of it.”

“Tell me,” Molly said.

“There is not much to tell,” Caliban said, sinking lower in his throne-like chair. “We were protecting the Gate in the last battle, when Jack slipped off through the woods. He said at the time that he was chasing someone, but I doubt that. He was running, leaving us to face the enemy alone. My brother, my younger brother, was left defenseless, except for his CrossCat guards, and they all died horribly.”

What did Jack say when you confronted him? Schrodinger asked quietly.

Caliban gave a short, mirthless laugh. “That he had been chasing ghosts. Something that moved in and out of the mists but that he could never catch.  Something that slaughtered his guards from the shadows.” He set the tea cup down before he broke it. “His cowardice meant we lost people that would never come back. When I called him on his cowardly words, he accused me of helping the enemy. I had no choice but to challenge him.”

“So it wasn’t over the Snow Queen,” Molly said. “It was over your brother.”

“And my honor!” Caliban said. “An insult like that cannot be ignored!”

She didn’t say anything, but gestured to him to go on.

“We were in the midst of settling this dispute when we were interrupted,” Caliban said. “Just because there were some casualties.” He shrugged. “The Snow Queen has always treasured you mortals, like fine china.”

“And yet you still want to win her hand,” Molly said.

“Who can understand love?” Caliban shrugged. “My heart calls to her. Especially now, when she needs me.”

Molly studied him as he slouched in the chair, back-lit by the light coming in the window, and wondered if he was indeed what the Snow Queen needed.