The Queen’s Bargain frog the alchemist placed the spine

the alchemist placed the spine upon a bed of crushed crystals

no vengeful shade

Stainless steel earwire (nickle free)

He straightens

not from age

The Queen’s Bargain frog the alchemist placed the spineThey heard it in a pub, passed between humans who half believed it themselves a hill where the fair folk hold a summer feast, and a fairy queen who wears something that could fetch a price if it ever left her neck. They went together, boots loud in the grass, speaking in low voices that carried further than they realised. The hill was already awake when they arrived. Lanterns hung where there should be none. Foxglove pressed in close, brushing their