A Strange Hymn

Chapter 20, the next day the palace is in a flurry of activity. Fairies throughout the royal grounds seem to be cleaning, primping, and packing, all, I assume, in the honor of solstice. I head down the hall toward Temper's suite. Before I can get there, she pokes her head out, taking in the fairies rushing down the halls. What the hell is going on, she says. She's still wearing yesterday's makeup, and she looks like she got very little sleep. I scrutinize her a bit more. What were you up to last night? You mean after you abandoned me to the wolves, she accuses. I roll my eyes. If anyone's a wolf, it's Temper. Did you kill anyone at the dressmaker's shop, I ask. No, but I gave that nasty fairy measuring me split ends and dandruff. Take it from Temper on how to punish with subtlety. Back in high school, she had a whole notebook of crafty little hex ideas. Temper, she was just doing her job. She makes an indignant sound. She was sticking me like I was a pink cushion, on purpose. Anyway, she eyes me again. What's going on? Her gaze drifts back to the bustling hallway. Solstice, I explain. What about it? She stifles a yawn. It begins today. What? We're leaving in, I reach for my phone before I remember we're in the freaking other world, where electronics are non-existent. If I want to rattle off the time, I'm going to have to learn to chart the stars. Ugh, we're leaving soon. How soon is soon, she asks. I shrug, I'm heading off to get changed. Changed, into what? Temper is glancing around the hall like clothes will materialize out of thin air. A flower sack, the outfits tailored for us, what do you think? I edge away, I got to go. Just get yourself ready and meet me in the courtyard. She lets out a frustrated growl, then closes her door. I head back to Dez's rooms, feeling oddly nervous about the week ahead. From everything I learned about Solstice, there will be balls and.