“We heard the door,” Isa responded, trying to match the servant’s excitement.
As she entered the great hall, Isa was met by the sight of the longest feather she had ever seen. It was extending from the top of a hat pointed in her direction. The hat was sitting upon the head of a man bowing deeply before her. The feather swished across the ground as he straightened, then landed daintily across his shoulder.
“Erich Sirilian, Prince of Iseldis, at your service, milady!”
Isa could not hold back her smile of welcome. This young man, dressed in deep purple with gold accents, exuded the most cheerful confidence she had ever encountered. “Lady Isabel Bielsa,” she responded. “Welcome to our humble villa.”
“The perfect mix of mountain glory and holiday charm,” Erich responded, gazing up at the room around him. He pinched his fingertips together, then threw them open for added flair. “It’s exquisite.” He dipped his head in a much smaller bow, keeping his eyes on her the entire time. “As are you.” The ridiculously long feather rippled as he snapped his head back up. “A beauty such as yours should not be relegated to the mountains alone.”
Isa’s spine stiffened in its old familiar stance.
She was saved from responding to his impudent compliment by a rumbling growl behind her.
“You abominable buffoon!” Erich swept past Isa and threw his arms around Aden.
For a brief moment, Aden seemed to freeze at the abrupt contact. Then his fur-covered arms wrapped around his younger brother. “You’re alive,” he said, his voice low and gravelly.
Isa watched their reunion, highly intrigued. She had never seen two more different individuals. For the first time, she wondered what Aden had looked like as a human. Would he share Erich’s lighter hair? Or would it be dark brown, nearly black, like the fur on his body? If she remembered correctly, their older brother Ian, whom she’d seen at the ball, had dark hair as well. Was Aden the human as tall as Aden the beast? Erich, who was far taller than the average man, stood nearly face to face with the hulking beast. Would Aden’s eyes still be insightful and kind? His face expressive?
Her heart filled with sadness that she had never gotten to know the man he really was. What a cruel fate to have found someone so interesting and complex, only to know that she would lose him.
Guilt flooded her heart as she realized his fate was far worse. To be human but ostracized. To be left alive but given a timeline for death. His would be no happy ending.
“Have you never heard of proper traveling clothes?” Aden said, playfully shoving his brother in the shoulder as he released him from the hug.
“My dear brother, thesearemy traveling clothes,” Erich responded, brushing away imaginary dirt from his shoulder where Aden had touched him. “Come, feed me and let me share my news. Ah!” He turned back to Isa, flourishing a folded parchment. “This is for you.”
Instantly recognizing her mother’s handwriting, Isa tore open the wax seal.
My Dearest Isabel,
I dearly hope that you receive this. Professor Surrell just returned with news of your situation. I cannot sleep for thinking about it. I have found a builder who can oversee the bridge construction, and he is setting out immediately. He assures me that they will have a way over the canyon as soon as possible.
The councilors visit daily, asking for updates. I have explained the situation and begged for more time. I do not know how much longer I can hold them off.
Your father has taken a turn for the worse. And he has no strength left with which to fight.
And now to hear that you are stuck at the villa with a cursed beast! Oh, I pray that you are safe and well and can return to me soon.
The scribbled signaturewas barely legible. The letter was dated four days prior.
Isa looked up, her eyes instantly seeking Aden’s. “The council has grown more insistent. My mother is fending them off from the very doorstep.”
“Your father?” he asked.
She shook her head, her throat closing tightly. “He’s worse.”
“You must go back and see him,” Aden responded. “Immediately.”
“The Floutast must go back,” she corrected, her heart torn. She did not want to leave Aden, nor was she ready to say goodbye to her father—her hero, the one person who had always been there for her.
Aden turned to Erich. “The rope system you crossed on. Is it safe?”
“For her,” Erich waved his hand in an elegant curve toward Isa. “It was quite simple and seemed structurally sound. For you...” Erich took in Aden’s size. “Probably not. Though you would have to check with the builders.”
“Would you accompany her to Allys?” Aden asked.
“Of course, my brother.”
