Welcome to Stories from Among the Stars.

You're listening to Nettelin Bone by T. Kingfisher, narrated by Amara Jasper.

Chapter 13

Well, said the dustwife.

Now what?

All three of them looked at Mara, who looked away at the narrow street, the buildings

close overhead.

They had made it through the gate unnoticed.

No one cared. No one had pointed at her and shouted,

Princess, or run away! And now they were inside, standing in a small alley off the main street,

and there was the next thing to do. Bone Dog came and sat on her foot. She closed her fingers around his collar and thought. My dog trusts me, and then. My dog is witless and also dead.

But things loosened a little in her chest, nevertheless. We'll have to find somewhere to stay,

she said. I don't have much money left, but I can't. I don't think I should just... She waved

her hand vaguely toward the top of the hill and the shining white palace. Yes, that would go well.

I just waltz in unannounced and then the prince turns up dead.

I don't see any way that would end up with the Northern Kingdom declaring war on my homeland

and grinding us all into dust.

I suppose we'll have to figure out how to get up to the palace without being noticed, she

said, looking down at Bone Dog, whose

illusionary tongue was lolling out. And then, er, well, I don't think we're going to do this

tonight, are we? She looked back at her trio of followers, weapons, friends?

She had been so narrowly focused for so long that she had not thought very much about

...