Lilybeth waited with Cathy for the Fairy Guard to escort them down into the deepest depths of the castle. Cathy had pleaded to see Hex one last time before she returned home. She needed to apologise.

"Do you think he'll want to see me?" Cathy asked, picking at her fingernails. "After everything I've done?"

"Everything you've done. Don't you mean everything he's done?"

"I set him up. I led the Fairy Guard to him... it's my fault he's in this dreadful place."

"What do you think would've happened if you hadn't helped us? You saved many children from the clutches of that evil witch, Agnes, and her horrid son. It was Hex who brought this upon himself." Lilybeth simmered with anger. Cathy had never seen the fairy godmother so upset.

"Yes, but I feel so guilty."

Lilybeth reached into her pocket and pulled out an envelope.

"I wasn't sure whether to give you this. I'm still not convinced I'm doing the right thing. As you asked, I did some digging. A contact of mine has information on Rose."

Cathy gasped, "Really—You know where she is?"

"Read it for yourself." Lilybeth passed Cathy the envelope.

Cathy opened the letter and read.

L,

As requested, my network of spies has information about the disappearance of Rose.

On the night of her abduction, a goblin called Giggleton broke into Rune Hall.

Hearing the commotion downstairs, Rose concealed her child within a wardrobe.

Giggleton made his way up the stairs, armed with a sleeping potion so powerful Rose was at once rendered unconscious.

He then carried Rose from the house and into the grounds of Rune Hall, where his accomplice, a dragon called Rufus, waited.

I asked my informant if he had any further information on Rose's abductors.

I'm sorry to say her last known whereabouts was The Castle Of Jewels.

Given everything we know about Prince Horace and the witch Agnes, a rescue attempt is unlikely to be successful.

I am sorry I don't have better news.

S

Cathy put the letter back in its envelope and slid it into her pocket.

The Fairy Guard marched into the room.

"He can see you now," the guard said, his hand resting on his sword.

"Do you need me to go with you?" Lilybeth asked.

"No. I'll see him alone."

"As you wish." Lilybeth stepped back and allowed Cathy to follow the guard down a twisty flight of stone steps.

When the guard reached the lowest part of the dungeon, he pointed into the darkness and said, "The cell at the end. You'll need this." The guard handed her a torch from the wall above their heads. "You have ten minutes."

"Thank you," Cathy said. The starlight of her dress glimmered as she followed the longest tunnel, to the furthest cell, where Hex sat, with his back hunched and his forehead resting on his knees.

"Hex," she whispered.

The sorcerer lifted his head. Even in the dim light, she knew he was looking at her.

"How are you?" It was a stupid question, but she didn't know what else to say.

A metal chain clinked as he slowly rose to his feet.

"Isn't it ironic?" he asked, stepping closer to the bars. Cathy stayed silent. Whatever he said next, there was no doubt she deserved it. "I forced you to wear an enchanted chain to keep you safe from the world... and now I'm forced to wear an enchanted chain to keep you safe from me." He scoffed loudly. "As if I would ever harm a single hair on your head."

"I know. I'm so sorry." A tear ran down her cheek.

"Don't be sorry. I'm not. Bringing you here was my greatest success. I was lonely and selfish before you arrived. Learning how to care for you, whilst allowing you your freedom and letting you go, has made me a better man. Cathy, you have changed me..."

"What will happen to you now?" she asked, stepping closer to the bars.

"I don't know. The king has set the date for my trial. It's in a month from now... I don't expect I'll ever walk free from here. I'll never see Rune Hall again."

Cathy threaded her fingers through the bars.

"Not even if I explain. What if I tell them it was my idea to build the house of sweets? I'll say it was all my fault. Then they'll let you go."

"No." He shook his head.

"Hex, please tell me how to help you?"

"You must go home, Cathy. Where you're safe. Where I won't have to worry about you."

Cathy nodded. "The king is sending me home as soon as I leave here." Another tear rolled down her cheek before she could wipe it away.

The chain rattled as Hex stepped closer. "Do you still have the pendant I gave you?"

Cathy raised her hand to her neck, and her fingers brushed across the cool metal.

"Yes." She nodded again.

"Good. Promise me, you'll keep it with you always. It'll bring me comfort to know you still have it."

"I promise."

Cathy heard the guard approaching. It was now or never. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the envelope.

"This is for you," she whispered, shoving the letter through the bars. "Open it once I'm gone."

"Time's up," the guard shouted.

"Goodbye, Pet. I wish you a life full of magic and wonderful adventures." Hex swept into a bow.

"Goodbye, Hex."

Cathy followed the guard back along the tunnel and up the twisty stairs. She blinked as she stepped into the bright sunlight.

"Are you ready to leave?" Lilybeth asked.

"Yes. I'm ready to go home."

*

Cathy stood in front of a huge, gilded mirror in the grand hall of the castle.

Even though Lilybeth waited beside her, Cathy's tummy fluttered with nerves. She'd never been inside an actual castle.

Only a few minutes passed before King Julius swept into the room, surrounded by guards, and holding a bottle filled with a blue gloppy liquid. The king looked even younger, dressed in a plain, white shirt, black trousers, and long, shiny black boots.

"Are you ready to return home, Cathy?" he asked as if he was desperate to be rid of her.

"Yes." She looked to Lilybeth for reassurance.

"You don't have to leave," Lilybeth said, as though desperate for her to stay.

"No, I want to go home. I miss my family."

Lilybeth took hold of Cathy's hands. "King Julius and I have made sure you'll return to the exact moment Hex stole you from the human realm. Your life will go on as if we had never met."

"Will I remember you?"

"If you wish it... so be it." Lilybeth squeezed Cathy's hand.

"I wish to remember," Cathy said. And smiling, she asked, "Who will make your breakfast when I'm gone?"

Lilybeth laughed as she hugged Cathy. "I'm sure I'll manage."

Cathy nodded.

"But I'll miss our chats," Lilybeth added.

"Me too."

The king cleared his throat and said, "It's time to go."

Lilybeth let go of Cathy and moved aside.

A guard took the bottle from the king and tipping the spell onto a cloth he smeared the liquid across the mirror in sweeping circles, creating ripples.

Cathy stepped closer with her arm outstretched. Her fingers sank into the glass, followed by her hand.

Cathy hesitated, and glancing at Lilybeth, she said, "Goodbye."

"Take care of yourself, Cathy." Lilybeth smiled warmly and jerked her chin towards the mirror.

Cathy held her breath as she stepped back through the mirror.

*

Topsy Turvey House was in darkness. Cathy crept across the drawing room and up the stairs.

She tip-toed along the hallway and past the annoying grandfather clock as it chimed eleven-thirty.

Cathy peeked inside Jake's bedroom.

The bedside lamp was on, and her brother slept soundly, oblivious to the soft scratching as Chicken Nugget gnawed the shoe box Jake kept him in.

The mouse wriggled and squeezed through a tiny hole, dropping to the floor, and scurrying behind the wardrobe.

Cathy closed Jake's door and went to her bedroom.

The nightlight glowed enough to make her feel comfortable, if not completely at ease. The swirls on her curtains smiled at her like happy, plump cherubs.

She slid into bed and closed her eyes, drifting into a deep sleep.