“Yes, and the gardens.” Maxon grins.
The memory of Zaria's words before she left causes my smile to falter. “Why can’t I leave?”
Maxon sighs and steps closer, our bodies less than a foot apart. Why do I want to take that final step and close the distance?
“The queen wants answers. If you're not in the dungeons, then you're to remain on the castle grounds until she has them.”
“So, I’m a prisoner then?” I murmur, wariness creeping into my voice. Heat creeps up my neck and I take a step back.
Maxon doesn’t like that. Moving quickly, he closes the distance once more, his hand raising to gently cradle my face. I freeze in place, my senses on high alert.
“No,” he states firmly. “You are not a prisoner here.”
My eyes search his and I can’t seem to look away. “Then what am I?”
Maxon moves closer, our bodies only inches apart. My palms itch to reach for him, but I curl my fingers into my palms to resist the urge.
“I’m not sure yet.”
My heart skips a beat at his softly spoken words.
What does that mean?
Dropping his hand, Maxon steps back, his hand landing on the hilt of his sword. “I will collect you after training.”
Without waiting for a reply, he turns and swiftly makes his way down the hall, his black cape flowing behind him. Feeling defeated, I grip the door and swing it shut. Almost instantly I feel my mood darkening, I don’t like being cooped up. Looking around the chambers, I ponder what to do until he returns. I walk over and run my fingers over the books lining a small bookshelf in the corner, but don’t recognize any of the titles.
The balcony doors are open, and the gentle scent of jasmine drifts in on the breeze. Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply, taking in the fresh air. The sweet scent of blooming flowers fills my senses, and my sour mood begins to lift. I need to be outside. Wandering over to the balcony doors, I step out into the sunshine, thewarmth of the sun soaking into my skin. This morning has been a rollercoaster ride of craziness, with almost being thrown in a dungeon and all. The thought of being locked up in the dark makes my skin crawl.
I step toward the edge of the balcony and feel the cool breeze on my face as I look out over the courtyard. I’m several storeys up, with no hope of finding a way to climb down. Not that I would, though I let the thought linger a moment longer before I push it away.
The courtyard is huge and also empty. Where is everyone? I expected the castle to be bustling with people, yet I’ve barely seen anyone apart from the guards and a few maids.
I make my way back into the room, finding the silence to be almost overwhelming. There has to be something I can do in here to pass the time. The large beautifully carved wooden wardrobe catches my attention. Making my way over to it, I pull open the door, disappointed to find it empty.
Zaria said she sent some maids to fetch me some clothes from the village. I wonder what the village looks like. I only really recall the forest, and then the castle.
I close the wardrobe and move on to the dresser, opening each drawer, but finding them bare.
Leaning down, I smell the candle sitting atop the dresser. The scent is strange and unfamiliar, unlike anything I have ever smelled before. I gingerly lift the candle, hoping to find the fragrance written on the bottom, but as I do, a soft click echoes through the room.
There’s a faint rumble, and suddenly a part of the wall gives way, revealing a hidden tunnel. I stand frozen for a moment, my senses alert to the newfound mystery lurking just beyond thethreshold. With hesitant steps, I approach the revealed entrance, the silence of the chamber pressing in around me like a heavy fog. I cast a wary glance over my shoulder before steeling myself to peer inside. Looking into the dark void that calls out to me, a sense of unease crawls down my spine. The stone corridor stretches out before me, a winding descent into the unknown depths below. Shadows dance eerily along the uneven walls, swallowing the feeble light that dares to intrude. The darkness is thick, and my eyes strain to see beyond a few feet.
Lost in contemplation, I weigh my options, torn between the safety of the room or the allure of the unexplored. I should remain here until Maxon or Zaria return, even Nix. But curiosity pulls me forward.
Taking a deep breath, I step into the tunnel and am immediately hit with the musty smell of damp stone and mildew. I realize I’m still holding the candle and turn back for a match or lighter, but don’t see anything.
Shit.
Maybe I should stay where I am.
The thought of being trapped in this room fills me with anger, yet the prospect of venturing into an unknown, dimly lit passage is equally unsettling.
It could lead to the dungeons for all I know.
Still, I take another step, resting my hand against the rough stone wall which is cool against my skin. Cautiously, I move all the way into the passage, a thrill of excitement rushing through my veins. But with no light source, the foreboding darkness of the tunnel and its narrow appearance send my anxiety spiking.
Leaning against the wall to gather myself, I tip my head back and hear another click. My heart stops dead in my chest, thentakes off in a gallop as I scramble upright. Before I get a chance to move, the wall slides back into place, enclosing me in pitch-black darkness.
