So far it had only been an incessant buzzing, but who knew how long that would last? Rumple’s magic could turn deadly at any moment. I didn’t know if just trying to leave would keep the magic happy or if it would eventually decide that I wasn’t trying hard enough to return and do something deadly.
Returning my attention to Fran, I decided to play it safe. “I understand that Blackthorn thinks he’s keeping me safe, but I have others relying on me. I can’t just stay here forever.”
Fran surveyed me for a moment, seeming to think about what I said. Finally, she brushed her hands off on her skirt and offered me an understanding smile. “Well, that will have to be something you take up with master. I cannot open the castle door for you.”
“But I—”
Fran cut me off with a broad grin. “Why don’t we find you something to eat? I’m sure you are starving after all the excitement during your arrival.”
My stomach gnawed with hunger in response, mixing with the magic’s need for me to return to the factory.
“Wonderful.” Clapping her hands together with delight, Fran spun on her heels. “Follow me. Everyone is so excited to meet you.”
I glanced forlornly towards the castle entrance. Well, I suppose I couldn’t leave on an empty stomach. It might take me days to get through the Candy Forest to get back to the factory. I should eat at least. Maybe find a pack or something to take some with me for the trip.
If I was lucky, one of the others Fran spoke of could help me find a way out of the castle. Or at least a way to get it through their stubborn master’s head that he had to let me go.
Chapter 7
Fran brought me down several corridors with long floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside, overgrown gardens filled the world with green and colorful flowers I’d never seen before as they bloomed. I found myself walking toward the windows without thinking.
“The gardens were once the pride and joy of the master’s castle.” Fran sighed, stopping next to me. “It’s such a pity that they have turned into this.” She shook her head sadly before continuing again.
“What happened?” I asked as I hurried after her. “Why are there only a few servants? Why are the gardens overgrown?”
Fran was quiet for a long moment before she answered. “The master I used to know is not the same one who brought you here. Unfortunately, it is not my place to tell you more.”
My lips pursed as I thought over her words.
Obviously, something had happened to make the castle look abandoned. Did anyone in Candiopolis even know about this castle? Surely the king knew. In all my time in Candiopolis, no one had ever mentioned another castle let alone another kingdom. There had to be a reason for that.
Maybe the way out of this place was to figure out what happened to Blackthorn and why he was so fixated on saving me.
I heard laughter and low talking long before we reached the open kitchen doorway. Delicious scents floated out and my mouthwatered eager to eat. Meat and buttery baked bread made my stomach rumble and my footsteps quicken.
Fran drew me into the kitchen. “Hello,” she called out. “We have a guest with us.”
The activity in the kitchen paused. Six sets of eyes swiveled around to land on me. There were four males of various ages, from mine to an elderly man who stood behind the stove. Two identical females that looked to be my mother’s age sat at the table, a basket of peas between them that they had obviously been shelling them. While there were several different shades of skin amongst them, all of them shared the same pallor that Fran did.
“This is Mara.” Fran nudged me forward. “She will be our guest for the time being. Please make her feel welcome.” Her eyes turned to the older man by the stove. “Cookie, can you make her a plate? This one’s nothing more than skin and bones.”
I flushed at her words. How had she known? I’d made sure to make her leave the closet. Then I remembered someone had to changed my clothes before I slept. Fran must have seen my body then and taken note.
The plump older man waddled forward a large grin spread across his round cheeks, his eyes sparkling with delight. “Don’t worry, mistress. We’ll fatten you up in now time.”
The others, seeing as the cook’s approval, cleared a space at the table. Fran nudged me forward with a hand on my back. I ducked my head and sat, my shoulders curled in as I waited to be served.
I didn’t have to wait long. A plate piled high with eggs and at least two different kinds of meats was sat before me. Another plate with fresh bread and a dish of butter was added to the spread, as well as a glass of golden bubbly liquid.
The room remained quiet. All their eyes sat heavy on my shoulders as I picked up my fork. Scooping the yellow spongy eggs up, I took a large bite.
They were the best I’d ever eaten. Back in the factory, we rarely had protein at meals. Most of the time, it was some kind of porridge. Occasionally, we’d get beans of some kind, but it seemed like Rumple liked to keep the majority of us on a grain-based diet. We’d stay alive, but we weren’t thriving.
This. This kind of food reminded me of home.
On the island of Licempop, where my family lived and worked the land, we were never well off, but we always had plenty of food to go around. My mother made the best food in the town, and we’d sometimes have neighbors stopping by just to eat whatever she’d made that day.
A warm lump sat in my stomach, my throat clogging with emotion.
