I frowned, retracing my mental map. This wasn’t right. “It’s simply recalibrating.”
“Is that the royal term for you being lost?”
I ignored her and took another turn. Then another. My certainty began to curdle.
“Kieran?”
“Yes?”
“You’re frowning.”
“I’m thinking.”
“You’relost. Admit it.”
“I’m considering alternate routes.” I stopped, tilting my umbrella to cut the sun’s beams streaming in from my right.
She grinned. “You’re adorable when you’re defensive.”
“I’m not?—”
“Adorable? You are, you know.”
Quandary shot upward, his wings flaring wide.
“He’ll find the exit,” she said, but before the drake could clear the top of the hedge, he struck an invisible barrier. Magic rippled through the air, and he tumbled down toward the ground.
I moved, catching the little beast midair. His tiny body quivered against my chest, his wings fluttering. “You’re safe.” I gently place him back on Cyrene’s shoulder.
Her gaze flicked up to mine. “Thank you for catching him.”
“I’m told reflexes are one of my many redeeming qualities.”
She bit back a smile. “That, and your modesty.”
I gestured for us to keep walking. “I think the center of the maze is this way.”
My patience thinned with the hedges pressing closer. I ran my hand along the trimmed shrubs, searching for a seam or door, but I found nothing. “My great-great-great-grandfather incorporated a labyrinth charm. The design must be messed up.”
“You’re saying we’re stuck?”
“For the moment.” I exhaled, trying to find humor in the situation. “Consider it a unique tour experience. Very exclusive.”
“Uh-huh.”
Quandary puffed a tiny flame, clearly unimpressed.
After we’d strode down two more passages that closed off behind us, she stopped, tilting her head. “What if I try something?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Definesomething.”
“My magic. Joy seeks connection. Maybe it can sense an exit.”
“Joy seeks—” I blinked. “That’s not a thing.”
“Maybe not for vampires,” she said sweetly. “Witches prefer solutions that don’t involve brooding.”
I wanted to argue, but Iwasbrooding. I’d wanted to impress her and instead, I was disappointing her. “Fine. Do it.”
