“What? You’re not coming home for Christmas?”
“I won’t have time. And I don’t want to spend money on a flight.”
“I’ll give you a buddy pass.”
“You always say those are the worst to travel on and to never use them at Christmas or spring break.”
“I do say that, don’t I? I’ll come see you. We’ll work it out. Things always work out in the end. Love you.” She waves out the window.
“Happy birthday,” I yell.
She honks twice and slowly pulls down the driveway.
I sit on the bench, the same one I sat on yesterday waiting for her to come. And I can’t believe she’s gone already. Time is just spinning away. I need to get to the collection.
I let out a sigh and walk to the door, then stop. If I go inside this way, I’ll have to walk right by their den, and the chances of me not being distracted by Roark are slightly above zero.
Instead, I walk around back, my intention being to circle the castle to the south wing and enter through the other patio door. Which has to be possible, right? I’ve had my lunch outside at the end of the hall. I’ve seen the maze from there. I can see the maze from here.
I head around the side, following a crushed stone path. What I didn’t count on was the building jutting out. There’s a massive amount of square footage I’ve never seen. I pick out the kitchen, a larger dining room, and what appears to be other bedrooms as I get closer and closer to the maze. It’s not somewhere I’ve wanted to go again. Which really... is a shame. How can I live on the grounds of a maze and not spend time wandering around in it? Probably because it scares the living daylights out of me now.
Around the side of the castle, there’s an Eisstock court, which to me is like a curling bocce, and a whole lot of fun. Wren and I didn’t really learn the rules at Mary’s pub. We tried, though. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much.
“There you are,” Roark says, jogging up behind me. “Leopold told me your sister had left. I’m sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye.”
“She asked me to say goodbye for her.”
He nods. “Taking a walk?”
“I... No, I was heading to the collection.”
“I see,” he says in a low growl.
“Do you play?” I point to the court.
“I’ve been known to play somewhat.” Roark saunters to a short shed that leans against the castle and fetches the stones that we’ll need to play.
It’s cooler than it’s been in a while, but still sweat’s pouring off me. I pitch the stone, and it’s closer than Roark’s is to the daube. “I win!” I jump up. “Wait, I did win, didn’t I?”
“Yes, Duchess, you won.” He picks me up and swings me around. “Have you had enough, or do you want to play the best out of ten?”
“I think you already have that locked up, mathematically speaking, since you’ve won six games.”
“Indeed.”
Leo comes out the side door with two other staff members who are carrying a table and chairs. “Sir, Miss Fischer, lunch.”
“Oh, that’s perfect timing.” I clap. “Thank you so much. You didn’t have to bring all this out here for us.”
“It is a pleasure to serve.”
“Thank you, Leopold,” Roark says.
Leo gets a strange smile on his face. “I will bring another chair and Mr. Slate’s robe.” Leo inclines his head and hustles out.
“Evander?” I gaze upward. A small dot on the horizon is growing larger.
52
