* * *
After hidingthe coin in my breast pocket under a layer of clothing so I wouldn't fall victim to pickpockets such as young Pascal, I made my way to the castle grounds. Each step was difficult but now my curiosity overpowered the aches. I hoped the fountain was as miraculous as Pascal said and not a figment of his active imagination.
The gate to the castle grounds was open. Unlike the flimsy gate at the orphanage, this was a real one. The wrought iron gate was easily twice my height and flanked on both sides by matching bars that both looked aesthetically pleasing and deterred intruders.
My cane clacked against the cobblestones as I approached the looming castle. The sight of it sent shivers down my spine. That might've also been from cool air coming from the forest surrounding the path. I pulled my flimsy old coat tighter across my skin.
When I reached the entrance to the courtyard, there were a few other people milling around, laughing and tossing coins into the fountain. I felt better that other people did this too, though despite Pascal's insistence that the fountain granted wishes, I was still hesitant to throw money away needlessly. Still, that was the whole reason I made this journey, so I might as well go through with it.
I huffed as every step sapped my energy. How was the fountainstillso far away?
By the time I reached the fountain, the other people were leaving. They glanced at me as they passed. Unlike the man from earlier, they didn't seem quite as wealthy. I saw pity in their eyes. It felt strange. Nobody at the orphanage pitied me—not Headmaster, not Pascal, not the kids—so I wasn't used to being on the receiving end of it. Besides, what use did I have for their pity? It was useless to me.
"Poor thing walks with a cane," I heard one murmur as they walked away. "He's probably wishing to be normal."
The comment confused me. Iwasnormal. Using my 'wish' to be able to walk without a cane hadn’t even crossed my mind.
There was no bench by the fountain, so I collapsed on the edge, letting out a relieved sigh that I was finally able to sit down. When I finally caught my breath, I examined the fountain. Clear water flowed from the glorious structure. It made me happy just to look at it. As my eyes followed the centerpiece upwards, they landed on something peculiar perched above the fountain. It was a gargoyle jutting out from the castle wall, his jaws open in a perpetual hiss. Two sparkling sapphires made up his eyes.
I was frozen. Not from fear, but by its odd, unearthly beauty. The gargoyle didn't resemble any particular animal, real or imagined. It wasn't quite a dragon, although it had features of one, like the wings, the horns, and the sharp claws. It also had the pointed ears and long snout of a wolf and a long tail like a whip.
"Oh," I murmured in awe, pressing a hand to my chest.
Then I remembered the coin. I reached into my pocket and pulled it out, but my eyes were still glued to the gargoyle. It was a stunning creature—and I couldn't stop thinking of it as a creature, even though I knew it was made of stone. I rocked forward and back, watching the sun reflect in his twinkling sapphire eyes. I smiled. It was a silly little thing to enjoy, but I liked it even more than the way the gold coin glinted.
I fiddled with the coin, remembering the reason I'd come here in the first place. The bottom of the fountain was teeming with silver coins. Did they all represent wishes? Was this fountain filled with people’s deepest desires?
I was alone in the courtyard so nobody would hear me speak except the gargoyle. It amused me to think he was listening.
"I'm a long way from home," I said, smiling. "I came here because my friend encouraged me to make a wish. I think he's being silly, but… Well, I'm in a bad situation. That's the short of it. I'm to be kicked out of the orphanage on my birthday, which is coming up faster than I'd like."
My shoulders slumped. Saying it out loud made it too real.
"I'm not sure what to do," I murmured. "The orphanage is my home. I have nowhere else to turn." I clutched the head of my cane. "And as you can see, Mr. Gargoyle, I have a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to finding work."
I didn't like burdening others with my worries, so it felt good to air my grievances. Although it was fun to pretend he was listening, I knew he wasn't actually.
I met the gargoyle's cerulean gemstone eyes. "I'm sure everything will work out in the end," I went on, only half believing what I was saying, "but just in case it doesn't, I'm here to make a wish. You must hear many wishes, don't you? Look at all these coins." I tilted my head. "Do people speak their wishes out loud? Or are they supposed to make them silently, in their heads?"
I paused for an answer I wouldn't get.
"Well… Since I feel comfortable with you, and I've already told you my conundrum, I guess I should tell you my wish."
I’d mulled it over on the way to the courtyard. What should I wish for? There were so many possibilities it was overwhelming.
There was one thing I knew I didn't want, and that was extravagance. I didn't need extraordinary wealth, or fame, or the life of a royal. My wants were more modest than that.
I met the gargoyle's gaze. "I wish… for a better future. Ah, is that too vague? Maybe I should be more specific… I only want to be comfortable, safe, and loved."
My cheeks suddenly felt hot. I hadn't admitted that to anybody before, not even Pascal. It felt too personal and embarrassing. With how busy I was at the orphanage, I didn't have time to think about things like romance, so I kept that desire hidden. Smothered even. Nobody knew that what I truly wanted was an alpha to cherish me. But that felt silly to admit, even to the stone ears of the gargoyle.
"That's all," I finished. "Oh, I should throw the coin in…"
I took one last look at the gold coin in my fingers, then tossed it into the water. It landed with a soft plop and sank to the bottom, settling among the other coins.
The sun had disappeared behind the trees, painting everything in shades of twilight. A few stars already twinkled in the sky. It would be fully dark by the time I reached the orphanage. I tried not to think too hard about the dreadful walk back. I hoped Headmaster would be holed up in her room by then so I could sneak in without trouble.
"Well, I should get going," I said. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Gargoyle."
