https://youtu.be/PDHaO68cOrs

Author's Note: Instead of fanart this week I want to share this amazing animatic done by Thefluff5 to Mother Knows Best. This animatic is incredible and fits the 'Mother Dearest' chapter so well! You guys seriously always have me in awe at how amazing and creative the fan content you create for this book are. Every piece I receive always makes my day!

Ridley

I reemerged in a poof of smoke back into the cottage, causing Annette to jump back.

"Holy mother of...Ridley what the hell was that?! Where did you go? You were here one minute and then..." her eyes grew wide, drifting down to the ring that hung loosely around my neck. "Is that some kind of teleportation magic to the demon kingdom?" Her face paled slightly. "Have you...how long have you had that...and you kept it from me...from everyone?"

My stomach twisted at the familiar prick of guilt in my chest.

Sighing deeply I hung my head. "It was given to me by the demon prince. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I promise I've only used it to speak with Vandel. I have no other association with the demon kingdom. It was necessary we be able to communicate and work together for the benefit of both our kingdoms. It was the only way we could solve issues that spanned between both the demons and the humans."

"I understand," Annette said softly. "I know you would never do anything treacherous." She took a deep breath. "It just...it hurts that you couldn't even confide in me."

"I'm...I'm truly sorry princess. I don't know how I can ever make it up to you for lying and keeping secrets. If you feel like I should be punished I'm happy to accept anything I must do to repent. But first we need to find James Andrews. We only have a week until Stefan plans to marry Vandel."

Annette gasped. "A week?!? Really? So soon?"

I bowed my head. "I'm afraid so. Don't worry, I'll immediately go and-"

"I want to come with you."

My eyes widened in shock, thinking that I had simply misheard. "What?"

"I said I want to come with you. What kind of queen would I be if I didn't do everything in my power to stop my brother and the demon queen. I'm not letting you take this on by yourself."

"But it could be dangerous-"

"I managed to escape from the demons before, didn't I? I think I can handle this." She offered me a small smile. "Besides, if you want me to be your queen you must believe in me enough to trust my judgment, right?"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the immense prick of worry in my gut. "Yes princess, of course I trust you."

Annette took a step beside me now, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Then let's go stop a wedding."

Annette

My heart was pounding as Ridley and I slipped into the dimly lit tavern. We both wore worn, woolen cloaks, our hoods obscuring our features.

The smell of dust lay heavy in the air and dull lanterns cast the room in flickering shadows. The people who resided here appeared to not be...well...the most law abiding citizens. They didn't even acknowledge us as we entered, all seeming completely enamored in their conversations and drink. I had never been to this part of Alteria in my life and despite myself I couldn't help but feel slightly unnerved in a place like this. Ridley seemed at ease here, making his way calmly towards the bar. I took a deep breath. I could do this. I had fought to make Ridley take me with him and I couldn't get frightened now simply because the atmosphere contrasted my lifestyle as a royal.

The bartender finally seemed to notice our presence as we approached, looking up slowly as Ridley made his way towards him.

"Good evening sir," Ridley said, offering the man a small nod.

The bartender let out a low snort of laughter that was oddly reminiscent of a pig. "Yer not from around these parts, are ya?"

"How did you know?" I stammered, the words coming out slightly higher than I would have liked.

"No one here's that polite." I felt his gaze rake over me and couldn't help but flinch. "The cloak ain't foolin' no one. I don't think this is gonna be yer kinda tavern miss." The bartender said, giving me toothy grin that fully displayed his yellow, rotting teeth. "Unless yer looking for someone in particular. The only time fancy folks come here is if they're lookin' for someone to...well...y'know."

Ridley nodded. "You're absolutely right sir. We need a man for an extremely important job and I couldn't help but hear that your tavern is famous for providing them." Ridley reached into his cloak, removing a small velvet pouch which he slid across the bar. "I hope this is enough to prove we're serious about this."

The bartender picked it up, glancing inside before removing a gold piece. He proceeded to bring it to his lips, biting down before placing it gently back inside the pouch.

"Impressive. Paying with real gold. You two really are fancy folks." His gaze darted around the tavern. "Now tell me, what kinda person are ya lookin' for?"

"Someone good at tracking and stealing without being detected. In fact, I heard from a friend that there's a man that frequents this tavern who's extremely well trained in this manner...his name is James Andrews." The moment the name left Ridley's mouth everyone at the bar fell silent. While before everyone had been talking loudly, paying us no mind, suddenly every head turned to face us.

I could feel Ridley tense beside me. I took a deep breath, attempting to stay as calm as possible.

The bartender's gaze darted between us. "You're not gonna find James. He doesn't come 'round here anymore."

Ridley arched a brow. "Why not? My friend told me he was the best."

"He retired," someone called from down the bar.

"Went crazy I heard," another chimed in.

"Turned himself into a shut in."

"What happened?" Ridley asked, eyes wide.

"Ain't our business to say," the bartender said quickly, cutting off the other residents of the bar who all seemed eager to share their opinion. "No one knows for sure. All that matters is you won't find him here. There's plenty of others who can do this job for you."

"I'm afraid that won't work. We desire only the best of the best and I heard mister Andrews is the greatest thief-"

"Well he ain't the best of the best anymore, why can't you get that through your pretty little head?"

"Wait," a man said at the end of the bar. He stood up, revealing the entirety of his giant tattooed form, towering over Ridley and I. "If these fancy folk are really so set on finding James then why don't we help them out for a price?" The corner of his mouth twisted into a smirk. "Or better yet...a wager."

The word wager seemed to perk the attention of everyone in the tavern now.

A few jumped to their feet, beginning to cheer. "WAGER, WAGER, WAGER!"

The man stepped up to Ridley, his gaze flickering over him. "The name's Skeever. I saw ya pull out that little bag of gold earlier, how much have ya got on ya?"

Ridley dug into his cloak, revealing a much larger bag, undoing the ribbon around it to reveal it was filled to the brim with gold pieces. Even I was taken aback by the amount of money Ridley had on him. He must have brought nearly his entire savings.

Skeever grinned at the sight. "Alright pretty boy," he said, tilting Ridley's chin up with one large, grubby, finger. "Are ya up for a little challenge? If ya win I'll tell ya where you can find James and if ya lose I'll take that nice little pouch of yers to keep for myself."

Ridley had perked up at his offer. I had to smother my own small smile. This man had no idea who he was challenging. Ridley was the most talented knight in all of Alteria, there was no way this man could beat him.

"We accept your offer," Ridley said, extending a hand.

Skeever chuckled, giving it a hearty shake. "Fantastic, I'll let you and the little lassie team up since it wouldn't feel fair to take either of you one on one. I may be a criminal but I'm also a man of integrity."

"I feel like that statement might be a bit of a contradiction-"

I gave Ridley a tiny shove, "Shh, not the time."

"Yes, of course, you're right." Ridley gave Skeever a small smile. "I promise you sir, I don't think there's any need for you to give us a handicap."

Skeever let out a snort of laughter, giving Ridley a friendly slap on the back. "You just called me sir which means yer DEFINITELY gonna need it kid."

Ridley straightened slightly. "So, what's the challenge? Sword fighting? Archery? Perhaps some fisticuffs?"

"Oh I have something much better," Skeever said with a grin. "Drinking."

Ridley's face instantly paled.

I froze, slowly turning to look at him. Immediately I lowered my voice, "Ridley...you've...never drunk before have you?"

Ridley shook his head stiffly, all the while the shadow of the massive Skeever loomed over us.

"Not once?" I asked nervously. "Like ever? Your dad never slipped you a drink or something?"

"My dad was a little too busy being dead."

"Oh my Gods. I'm sorry, you're right...how could I forget." I took a deep breath. "Okay I know due to my upbringing I'm probably not supposed to swear, but...well I'm in hiding so I feel like right now it doesn't count." I looked from the towering figure of Skeever back to the most virginal, pure, and most certainly light-weighted person ever. "We're fucked."