In which Robin De Noir mistakes Olive Heliotrope for the Moon Princess, and the two star-crossed enemies must work together to break a curse.
❝ Oh, I can't
Stop you putting roots in my dreamland
My house of stone, your ivy...
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OLIVE WOKE WITH A START, bolting upright as Wrolf leapt from his place at the foot of her bed. A low grumble sounded from the creature as he stalked towards the doors that led out onto the balcony of the girl's bedchamber.
Olive panted, her limbs stiff with terror as Wrolf bared his teeth at the windows. The large moon cast a ghostly glow upon the curtains that framed the doors. The dog began to snarl at a dark shadow beyond the glass.
Her courage suddenly finding her, Olive gasped. She threw the covers off herself, and followed Wrolf's lead, bounding over to where he stood before the doors. Just as she approached, she heard the loud thump of a figure landing out in the garden below. Someone must've jumped from the balcony.
Robin.
Her mind reeling, Olive turned from the doors, grasping her silk robe from over the hook by the door.
Swiftly slipping it over her shoulders, the girl ran for her bedroom door. "Come, Wrolf."
The dog followed, bounding after Olive as she hurried out into the hall, down the staircase, and onto the first floor. She was determined to race to the garden before whomever had been outside her window could flee the grounds.
If her suspicions were correct, it would be the De Noir boy that she would find, as he always seemed to be lurking about. She could only hope that his father was occupied with other matters, and that Robin was alone.
There was also the chance that, perhaps, it was Coeur De Noir and his men that were waiting for her outside. Nevertheless, Olive persisted, resolute in her search for answers.
With Wrolf trotting along beside her, she felt safe enough. The large beast had proven to be a devoted companion, and Olive had grown to trust him with her life.
That, and the girl had a notion that the boy, if he were alone, would not harm her. After all, if he'd truly wanted her to be dead, he most certainly wouldn't have let her go, let-alone aid in her escape from the dungeon.
The cool night air filled Olive's lungs with an energizing boost as she and Wrolf broke out into the garden. Aided by the light of the moon, Olive scanned the garden, from the tallest topiary to the furthest flowerbeds.
Wrolf had set his nose to the Earth, sniffing fervently.
Trusting the dog's instincts to lead the way, Olive followed Wrolf as he picked up a scent, and bolted off into the maze of flowers and greenery.
"Wait!" Olive whispered, forgetting for a moment that the creature's understanding of the English language was fairly limited. She hurried after him, as best she could. In the distance she could see Wrolf bounding towards a shadow of black that was just beyond the garden's edge.
