“An interesting notion.” His hands dropped to my waist, pulling me closer. “From now on, we do everything together. Which means no more solo adventures.”
“I can handle myself.”
“I know you can.” His voice softened. “But I can't handle losing you. So be gentle with me.”
The raw need in his voice made my chest tighten. I could fight his commands, but I couldn't fight his fear of losing me. “Next time I'll take you with me.”
“Good.” He kissed my forehead. “Now, about that punishment.”
“I thought we were going exploring.”
His low growl echoed in the room. “We are. Keep your punishment in mind, love, because it’s coming.”
I gave him a cocky grin and sidled around him, aiming for the bedroom. “I can’t wait.”
Farris yawned from where he lay on the bed, his ears flicking back and forth before he stretched long, his fluffy tail curling toward his spine. He hopped down to the floor and padded toward us.
“Are you coming with us?” I asked, scratching behind his ears. “Or can I convince you to remain here?”
He gave me a flat look, tilted his head, and trotted toward the door, his tail flicking upward as if I’d given him a grave insult.
I swear he understands everything,I told Lore.
He grunted, and we strode into the sitting area. He opened the door enough to check the hall, and once he’d ensured it was clear, Farris and I slipped out behind him, as quiet as a breath.
Somewhere below, muffled voices echoed. I couldn’t make out the words, only the cadence, punctuated by the clink of glass and the drag of random footsteps.
At the stairwell, Lore turned to me.Down or up?
Up,I said.Few hide secrets in the servants’ quarters, and Calista and Moira will discover them for us if they do.And there were people out and about down there. It sounded silent above—so far. People tended to talk about who they ran into, who they saw slinking through the halls.
We climbed to the fourth floor. The castle felt different at night, like the walls themselves were listening.
We passed a set of tall doors that opened into a ballroom, where only the tinkle of past laughter and music remained. A chandelier hung like a frozen sun above a dusty floor that didn’t appear to have seen a dance in a very long time.
Next came a parlor filled with chairs too perfectly arranged.
Then a library. The doors stood ajar, and I pushed them open enough to slip inside with Lore and Farris right behind. The air smelled of old wood and aged paper. No lights burned, and I didn’t hear anyone moving around.
Books stretched from floor to ceiling on this level and the one above. I strode over to the closest stack and ran my fingertip along the thick black tomes with no titles. They hummed under my touch, the dormant magic inside them whispering like wind through dead leaves.
These are ancient,I whispered in Lore’s mind, though I could shout, I supposed, and no one other than him would hear. Still, I felt like I needed to remain quiet. Careful. I pulled a book from the shelf and laid it on my palm and tugged at the cover.Sealed.The next book too. All of those on this shelf.This place feels preserved, not lived in.
I could’ve spent hours here. Books had saved my life more than once. There might be something in this room that could help us. But there was no time to search.
We left the library and continued up to the next level.
The tile on the sixth floor creaked under our steps, andI brushed my hand along the wall as we moved. Farris trotted at my side, sniffing the floor, his tail twitching, but he didn’t signal any danger.
We approached a corner and came to a stop, our eyes widening in alarm.
A woman’s voice, hushed but much too sharp, echoed from ahead.
Lore grabbed my arm and pulled me behind a thick window drape that fell from ceiling to floor, the fabric swallowing us whole. Farris slipped in beside us and curled at my feet, remaining utterly still.
Footsteps approached, hurried heels on stone. The same woman’s voice rose, clipped. “Keep up. You don’t want to upset her.”
They passed us, and we peeked around the fabric, watching as Laphira walked with a stilted stride, her expression vacant.
