I try to stand, but everything hurts, and my cramped muscles aren’t in the mood to listen to me.
Her expression grows concerned as she watches me try to stand. Despite my obvious struggle, she doesn’t offer any help.
I end up using the wall to pull myself back up. Still, I give her a tentative smile. “Thank you for helping me get through that.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, it’s as if a switch is flipped, and all the emotion is wiped from her face. Her eyes go flat, shuttering something behind them. “Don’t get used to it. We aren’t friends.”
Even though I’m a bit taken aback by the emotional whiplash, I nod. This was a one-time thing. She probably can’t risk helping me again. The knowledge that Need is blackmailing her softens the blow to some degree.
It still sucks, though.
At my lack of pushback, Nymara’s shoulders sag with relief. She looks like she’s steeling herself before she meets my eyes. “There’s… well, you still have a few hours until you need to return to your chambers. Did you… did you want to do anything specific? There aren’t any more appointments today.”
Her voice is stilted, like she’s out of practice. And honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever heard so many words come out of her mouth or seen her make eye contact while speaking.
It’s not grounds for exchanging BFF bracelets, but I’ll take it.
My thoughts are interrupted by another whispered hint of static, only this time, it’s accompanied by the slightest tug on my hand.
Nymara doesn’t flinch. Something down here is calling to me, and she can’t hear it.
The tug came from somewhere down the hall, but it’s even darker than before. Nymara has an orb, but it’s giving off just a trickle of light, as if it’s running out of batteries.
I purse my lips, considering my answer. While I highly doubt Nymara will tell me whether Irena is down here, maybe there’s some gray space here. Maybe she’ll let me poke around, if neither of us mentions the whole ‘I’m probably up to no good thing.’
“I’d like to explore more of the castle,” I answer, trying to keep my tone lighthearted.
Nymara remains expressionless and shrugs. “Certainly, the main floor–” she starts, turning back toward the stairs.
“Here!” I blurt, interrupting her.
She freezes, and her shoulders go rigid. Her brow is furrowed when she turns to look back at me.
Tactfulness may not be one of my strengths. Regardless, I press on. “I want to explore more of this tunnel.”
Her eyes narrow for a moment, until her brow raises, as if she’s figured something out. “You want to explorethistunnel. A tunnel that is protected bynomagic and can be accessed byanyonein the castle.Thisis where you want to explore?”
I swallow thickly. My new frenemy thinks I’m an idiot. Still, there’s something down here that’s calling to me. Maybe it’s Irena. Maybe she knows I’m Rosie’s friend, and she’s drawing me to her. It’s a long shot, but it’s the best I have.
“I do,” I answer. But when Nymara looks like she’s going to die of second-hand embarrassment, I quickly add, “Unless, of course, you have abetterplace for me to explore. One that will be more worth my time.”
Her gaze flicks around the hall before returning to me. “There isnothingdown here that should concern a Creator. It would be inappropriate for someone of your stature to go digging around inuselesscorners. But if you’re looking to explore a more appropriate area, then I know of a place that will surelyrevealitself to be so much more than it seems.
Her emphasis isn’t lost on me, and I give a slow nod. “That sounds perfect. Please, lead the way.”
I follow her out of the tunnel, ignoring the soft tug on my hand that pulls me in the opposite direction.
I should have stayed in the damned tunnel.
Also, I think aliens abducted Nymara and replaced her with a chattier alien host.
Some girls get all the luck.
For some reason, she decided I needed to see the East Wing. She didn’t stop talking from the moment we reached the main floor, pointing out different landmarks and orienting me as to where in the castle we were.
At first, I thought this was the breakthrough I’ve been desperate for. I figured Irena must be hidden in the East Wing, and Nymara was making sure I could find her.
Two hours later, I’m ready to gag my tour guide. The only thing in the East Wing are halls upon halls of paintings. She has been lecturing me about their history, non-stop.
