Cove chirps, “I vote we spend those seven minutes cursing that brigand for paying Lark a visit.”
I recall my whip flogging that poacher to the ground. “He paid all right. After getting what he wanted. Right lousy lover, if there ever was one.”
A rosy pool surfaces on Cove’s cheeks. “Was he gentle?”
When I give her a smarmy look, she amends, “Wereyougentle?”
“Now what do you take me for?”
“That’s rudimentary,” Juniper declares. “Every time you look at a man, you either take his virginity or resurrect it.”
“For Fable’s sake.” Cove points to her chest. “Sister. Sitting right here.”
I kick her ankle playfully. “Someday, an irresistible bloke will take you by surprise. I can’t wait until your time comes.”
“I’m perfectly fine making you wait. And I do not want to hear another word.” She covers her ears. “Do not want to hear it. Lalalalalalaaaaaaaaaa.”
Our chuckles peter off fast. Cove glances at the starlight leaking through the wagon window. Her lisping tongue slips over itself as she collects our hands. “Whatever happens to one of us, happens to each of us.”
“Together,” Juniper agrees with a nod.
“All or nothing,” I say. “So how’s about a Fable?”
Juniper chooses the first one that we ever read, back when Papa Thorne was teaching us our letters. We wiggle toward the flames, our voices ghosting through the space.
“Under the vicious stars, in the rural plains of Middle Country, it’s dark and light at the same time,”Juniper starts.
“Under the vicious stars,”Cove continues,“mystical tales float through the sky, and root themselves in the woodland, and swim in the river.”
“Under the vicious stars, the crests rise, and the forest sniggers, and the waters rage,”I narrate.“Under the vicious stars, an Owl crossed paths with a Lark. And the Lark said…”My mind stutters.“And the Lark said…”
For crying out loud, I can’t remember the next damn line. How is that possible, when I babbled it hours ago?
Cove’s about to chime in when Juniper caws at her to let me figure it out. While they bicker, I get up and pace, thinking, thinking.
“Juniper, would it burden you to show mercy for once?” Cove pleads. “Let me help her. A mere hint is what she needs.”
“It doesn’t work that way.” Juniper snatches one of her books off the floor and gives it a hearty shake for emphasis, her spectacles twitching. “Fables must be recited smoothly and without preamble, in order for them to have the most thorough impact. You would know that if you’d studiedThe Nature of Fable & Fae Narrative: A Very Concise, Very Annotated History. I’ve read it twice.”
“In that case, you can read my middle finger just as many times.”
“How quaint. Cursing without actually cursing.”
“I didn’t have to study that book. You parroted the whole forsaken thing to me while I suffered from harvest fever.”
“Were you truly listening when I read it?”
“Show-off.”
“Slacker.”
“Fables eternal,” I chuckle while strutting to the door, cranking open the tiny window, and letting the restless night comb through my hair. “Quit your jabbering, and lemme think.”
Yet I can’t think. My sisters are still arguing, but they’re not serious anymore because they’ve started chortling. Any minute, they’ll be tumbling around, swatting each other out of jest.
Usually, I’d join in. But I’ve never had trouble remembering this Fable. It’s calledAn Owl Meets a Lark—ha!—and it’s about Faeries finding their mates, which happens either when they’re linked by a force of nature or…
I forget the second way. I think it’s got something to do with kissing.
