Assistant to the Villain, #3
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 24
Overview
Kingsley awakens disoriented on Evie as the group inspects the reassembled stained glass. Sunrise activates the window, revealing a rhyming prophecy tied to starlight, Fate’s youngling, an unmasked villain, and a true prince. Interpreting the clues, Trystan concludes Kingsley is the prophecy’s fourth element, escalating their stakes.
Summary
Kingsley wakes, confused and still a frog, finding himself perched on Evie’s midsection as Trystan and Tatianna rush in. Evie assures them she is fine and explains she finished arranging the stained glass pieces overnight. Blade chimes in from the yard, needling Trystan, while the group gathers before the reconstructed window.
At sunrise, the light strikes the glass and transforms an etched book into vivid color. Trystan borrows Tatianna’s magnifier and reads aloud as the book in the glass flips open, revealing a prophecy about starlight, Fate’s child, a rescuer, an unmasked villain, and a true prince who will save his fated love.
The friends parse the cryptic rhyme, noting references to starlight magic, the guvre’s youngling, and the warning about a blackened good heart. When the prophecy mentions the heart of the true prince, all eyes turn to Kingsley. Trystan, somber and certain, states that Kingsley is the fourth piece of the prophecy, reframing their quest around him.
Who Appears
- Alexander KingsleyFrog prince POV; awakens disoriented, observes the window’s prophecy, and is identified as the fourth piece.
- TrystanLeads the group at dawn, reads the prophecy from the glass, and concludes Kingsley fulfills the fourth element.
- Evie SageFinished reconstructing the stained glass overnight; supports the group as the prophecy is revealed.
- TatiannaProvides the magnifying instrument; reacts critically to the rhyme and helps interpret the message.
- BladeOffers comic relief, nearly touches the animated glass, and prompts Trystan’s caution.