“You’re right.” Claren sucks in a breath. “I wanted to be more tactful about this, but I have to know.” My heart stutters. “Is Maeve alright?”
I frown. “Claren…” But he ignores me, focusing on the girl.
Tamryn looks close to tears. Her hands ball into fists in her lap.
“Is that a no?” Claren croaks.
She shakes her head furiously.
“So she’s well?” he gasps.
She doesn’t nod, just stares at my sisters and me with watery eyes, as if begging for help.
Blossom swoops in. “I think that’s enough questioning for today.” She returns the quill to its holder and guides Tamryn out of her seat. “Claren, your niece is a talented artist. Perhaps you could arrange for an easel and some paints to be delivered to her room? Tamryn can give you more paintings when she’s ready.”
He nods sheepishly. “Of course. I’ll see to it now.” He scurries out of the library before we can say goodbye, his face as grave as Tamryn’s.
“Are you alright?” I ask her. “I’m sure he didn’t mean to upset you.”
She shrugs, nodding once.
Eden rubs her shoulder, bringing Pumpkin close enough to lick Tamryn’s arm. “Let’s look at books together. I’m sure we can find some artsy ones with pictures in them.”
Tamryn gives her a small smile, and they head off towards the aisles. Before I can join them, Blossom snatches my wrist.
“Not so fast.” She drags me back.
I glare at her, but then my gaze softens. Her usually perfect curls are misshapen, and there are shadows under her eyes. Judging by the anger in her stare, it’s more than just the demon castle that’s been keeping her up.
“We need to talk.” She folds her arms. “Eden and I can’t stay here for much longer. We need to go home.All of us,” she grumbles. “Have you come up with an escape plan yet?”
“Shh.” I tug her towards a private reading alcove. “I’m still working on it.”
Back in the forest, I’d whispered to my sisters that I’d go home with them, back to our real home in Father’s palace, but I also said I needed more time to escape from Tauren. I know he didn’t hear me, because if he did, I’m sure he would’ve made good on his threat to collar me naked to his bedchamber by now.
A blush covers my face at the thought. Thankfully there aren’t enough candles in this alcove for Blossom to notice. “I think I’m going to make a deal with him,” I tell her.
“A deal?” she scoffs. “This is the same demon who kidnapped you and forced you to marry him. You really think he’s going to be open to a deal?”
“Keep your voice down.” My eyes dart around the library. “I think he’ll consider it, yes.” What exactly I’ll offer him, I don’t know yet. But there must be some arrangement he’ll accept. “He… he likes me.”
“Do you like him?” Her eyes narrow.
“What? No. Of course not,” I huff.
“You called him sweet back in Lord Elheart’s palace.”
I laugh. “Heissweet. Sometimes.” He can also be cruel, calculating, possessive… I blush again.
Blossom shakes her head. “He’s a demon, Dahlia. A monster. You can’t fall in love with a monster.”
I want to ask her why ever not, when footsteps make our heads turn. A servant approaches us with a silver tray of chocolates. My mouth waters as he presents us with the tray, dipping his horned head.
“Lord Tauren has arranged a feast to begin at midmoon to welcome home his niece,” he explains, rising from his bow. “Princess Blossom and Princess Eden are invited to join the festivities in the banquet hall, while Princess Dahlia is expected to attend a private feast with his Lordship in the conservatory.” There’s an envelope on his tray addressed to all three of us, which I help myself to along with a handful of chocolates.
Caramel-centred truffles. When they hit my tongue I almost moan.
“Thank you.” I grin at the servant. “Leave the tray, please.” He obliges before disappearing with a bow, while I rip open the cream envelope.
