A Grimm Warning (The Land of Stories, #3)(84)

Red grunted. “Don’t remind me.”

Alex eyed the official robes, crowns, and jewels all the kings and queens wore. “We should also strip you down so you look less official,” she said. “You can’t wear any jewelry or be followed by guards or do anything that would make you appear royal.”

“But surely we can’t go on this path unprotected,” Snow White said.

“We’ll need some form of protection,” Sleeping Beauty said. “Even if the path is as disguised as we are.”

Alex looked to the sky to think about this. A big smile grew on her face for the first time all day. “I know the perfect people,” Alex said. They were flying right above her. Everyone looked to the sky to see what Alex was smiling about.

The sixth swan was finally returning to the Fairy Palace; it landed in the hall. All the monarchs and fairies were stunned to see Jack and Goldilocks climb off the swan’s back. Alex had secretly sent one of the swans to find her fugitive friends.

“You invited them?” Red yelled from the top of the stairs.

“Yes, I figured it wouldn’t hurt having a few friends around,” Alex said. “But now we have the perfect assignment for them.”

They waved uncomfortably at the royals in the hall. Less than a year ago the kings and queens had agreed to clear them of all their crimes as a way of thanking them for helping to defeat the Enchantress—and since then, despite the gesture, Jack and Goldilocks had already committed multiple crimes in all their kingdoms.

“Hello, everyone,” Jack said. “What’s the occasion?”

“We got your letter, Alex,” Goldilocks said. “We figured it had been sent to us by mistake, but the swan was very persuasive.” She and Jack held up their arms and showed the bite marks they had endured trying to avoid the trip.

Alex and Conner quickly told them about the Grande Armée and their plans to conquer the fairy-tale world. Jack and Goldilocks knew much more than they expected—word of the Grande Armée was spreading through the kingdoms.

“Many of the criminals we know have already joined them,” Jack said. “The Armée is growing by the minute.”

“Jack, Goldilocks, I need a big favor,” Alex said. “We’re sending the kings and queens away so the Armée can never find them. I’m going to ask that you go with them and protect them just as you protected my brother and me during our quest to stop the Enchantress.”

Jack and Goldilocks looked at each other—it was a big favor. The kings and queens began mumbling their objections to one another. How were a couple of crooks supposed to protect them?

Red whistled from the top of the stairs to get the room’s attention. “I know what you’re thinking because there isn’t a negative thought I haven’t had myself about these two,” Red declared. “But I can assure you there is no one in the world Goldilocks can’t take on with her sword, or that Jack can’t face with an axe at his side. We wouldn’t have survived our trip around the kingdoms if they hadn’t been there. You’ll be well protected under their care.”

Jack, Goldilocks, and the twins did a double take. They couldn’t believe Red was defending them to all these people.

“Thank you, Red,” Goldilocks said. “I would have never expected praise from you.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Goldie,” Red said excitedly. “I have a new nemesis now! So you’re off the hook!”

Red gave Goldilocks a thumbs-up. Little Bo rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

“Very well,” Cinderella said, and held Princess Hope a little tighter than before. “If you trust them, I suppose they’re the best people for the job.”

“Then it’s decided,” Emerelda declared. “Now we mustn’t waste another minute. Let’s get the kings and queens to safety.”

The fairies magically transformed the royals’ regal wardrobes into simple, common clothing. They were provided with parchment and scrolls and wrote to their commanding officers to inform them to split the armies as Alex had instructed. All the fairies, except Emerelda and Mother Goose, took the letters and disappeared into thin air, traveling to the kingdoms they had been assigned.

As they did this, Conner climbed to the top of the stairs to speak with Bree and Emmerich. “I want you guys to go with the kings and queens on the secret path,” he said. “I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you. You’ll be safe if you’re with Jack and Goldilocks, I promise.”

Bree and Emmerich both nodded, wide-eyed. The events of the past twenty-four hours had caused their heads to spin so fast they couldn’t think straight. They would have agreed to anything.

“Certainly,” Emmerich said.

“Sounds good,” Bree said.

Conner smiled and then faced Red. “I want you and Froggy to go as well so Bree and Emmerich have someone they know with them,” he said. “Besides, I know Alex and I will feel better knowing all our friends are safe.”

“What?” Red asked sharply. “You want me stuck in a traveling party with that Peep woman?”

“I’m really sorry you lost your throne, Red,” Conner said. “But if the Armée finds you, they won’t care that you used to be queen. I know you love necklaces, but I don’t think wearing a guillotine will be a good look for you.”