Page 109 of The Pumpkin Bride

Bram’s respect for the boy’s mother grew by leaps. “That’s true, but—”

“I’ll get her.” The boy scrambled from the boulder. “Ma! Mama! Ma!”

Blood and bones! All he wanted was to send word to Coby that he needed to meet. Deep breaths, relaxed stance. If the boy returned with his mother in tow, he couldn’t scare them with a prickly attitude. They might be his only chance to deliver a note quickly since Alfred didn’t have a set schedule.

The swishing sound of leaves on the other side of the boundary caught his attention, as did the soft voice of a woman.

“Bastien, honestly, I’m up to my ears in—” The woman came around the path, then stopped short. She pushed her son behind her, then whispered loudly, “You didn’t tell me it was him who needed help.”

Bram held up his hands in peace. “I mean no harm. I need to convey an urgent message to a knight. Discreetly.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “Why can’t you convey it yourself?”

A wick in his mind caught flame—the sprite had said he couldn’t reveal his true self to anyone, but the particulars of his entrapment were fair game.

“Magic binds me within the borders of Grimroot Farm. I cannot leave.”

She eyed him. After a beat, she asked, “What do you offer in return? This boy eats as though he’s a man, and I cannot pay for food with gratitude.”

“I have some coin.” He flipped a sou to the woman, who caught it easily. “And my orchard is full of apples, more than I can use. Pick your fill.”

The woman bit the sou, then slipped it into her apron pocket. “How do I know you won’t eat us?”

“You have my word as a knight,” he said.

She cocked her head. “Since when do they let orcs into the knighthood?”

“I was knighted in Thornwick.”

“Thornwick? That’s the other side of the five kingdoms. What brings you so far from home?” she asked.

“Originally, ambition and fortune.” Bram lifted a shoulder. “Now all I seek is a simple life.”

“Life’s simple out here, all right,” the woman said. “Far cry from my customary homestead. What’s your name, neighbor? I’m Matilda.”

The curse was still in effect, so he introduced himself in the least lethal way possible. “I’m Jask Bone-Cracker.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Matilda nodded. “Now, what’s this message you need me to pass along?”

“Here.” He approached the barrier and held up the folded and sealed parchment. “Leave this with Elenor at the Laughing Gourd. It’s a message for Sir Coby.”

The note within was innocuous.

Sir Coby—

If you remember, tell me what the loophole was?

I’ll wait by the lake.

—Your Favorite Knight

Plain, but vague. Anyone breaking the seal wouldn’t guess its meaning. He hoped.

Matilda plucked it from his grasp. “That’s it, then? Deliver this, and I can pick apples?”

Bram nodded.

She spun the note between her index fingers. “Done. But please don’t cross me, Mr. Bone-Cracker. You won’t like what happens.”