by Lea Doué
So Sissi was in love with Eddy.
“The sorcerer got angry. Told her good luck getting her prince and left.” He paused, then spoke softly. “But not before destroying the entire traveling party.”
She gasped. “Even your—”
“Everyone,” he said. “They’re all gone, and now there’s no way out.”
She shook her head. There had to be some way out, but if so, wouldn’t he have found it already? “Are we truly trapped here?” she whispered.
“The stone dragons are excellent guardians.”
“How many are there?”
His brow furrowed. “Never counted them. They keep watch around a patch of forest that’s basically a circle, with this place as its center.”
“You still haven’t told me why you’re wearing a blindfold.” When he didn’t answer, she added gently, “Eddy, what happened to you?”
He fidgeted with the cord around his neck and tilted his head as if listening for something. “Not here. I’ll explain, but… later.”
He wanted answers, but he was keeping secrets from her. She stood and paced in front of the sofa, her shoulder and head screaming at her to sit back down. She took a deep breath, then pinched her nose. She could use a bath while waiting for later.
“I should probably clean my arm and wrap it again. Is there somewhere to wash up or a maid to bring water?”
“No maids.” He stood. “But there’s a bathing room.”
“Wonderful.” She stopped pacing. “After that, I think some fresh air would be welcome. What time is it?”
“It’s after noon. I let you sleep.”
She waited for him to lead the way, but he bit his lip and remained silent.
“Water?”
“Oh, right.” He took a few steps towards the door, then turned back to her. “So, you’re all right with all of this? No swooning or crying or yelling?”
There was no need to elaborate how not all right she was. Not yet. “I might swoon from my own stench if you don’t take me to some water.”
One side of his mouth turned up, and then he walked to the door.
He led her down windowless halls, picking his way with small, slow steps. He’d been here four years—plenty of time to memorize the layout. It was an odd castle. The ceilings bore down on them, so low she could have reached up and touched them if she were riding Buttercup. The walls were far enough apart for her to walk next to Eddy, but two horses side-by-side would be a squeeze. She narrowed the gap between them. Something about the place seemed familiar. Unsettling. The shadows grabbed their footsteps and threw back echoes at odd places. Candles burning in wall niches wavered as if a crowd passed by rather than two unkempt royals. She glanced over her shoulder more than once, sure they were being followed. Eddy finally stopped at a narrow wooden door.
“I’ll get something clean for you to wear and then help wrap your arm again.”
“Thank you.”
He straightened a bit and nodded.
She stepped inside, and her jaw dropped. The bathing room rivaled any she’d ever seen. Grey-pink marble, white tiles, plush rugs. It was double the size of the study and far too luxurious for a stone castle. She locked the door. The tub’s golden pump handle worked smoothly, and she soon stepped hip deep into blissfully warm water. A stack of fluffy towels waited on a side table, along with brushes and countless bars of soap in pastel shades.
Towels and soap, but no maids.
Maybe Sissi had a penchant for cleaning; and being so deep in the forest, the sorcerer could easily have hoarded enough supplies to last for years.
Lucky that someone had left the candles burning. All over the fortress.
An unpleasant shiver raced up her spine. She was ready for some fresh air. Using a bar of pine-scented soap, she made quick work of the grime on her skin and hair and carefully washed the cut. She’d have a small scar, but she could deal with that. She wrapped a towel around her arm and another around the rest of her.
Eddy knocked lightly. “I’ve got some things for you.”
She stuck her good arm out the door and grabbed the bundle. “I’ll be right out.”
Rolled inside a brown wool cloak was a long green shirt, a pair of grey socks, and a small pot of honey, as well as strips of fabric for her arm. She smeared honey on the cut, thankful Eddy had thought of it to help prevent infection, then wrapped the bandages on, one after the other, saving a strip for him to tie over it all. She left that arm out of the shirt, which fell to her knees, pulled on the socks, which came up to her knees, and tied the cloak around her shoulders. The dirty clothes stayed on the floor. She’d wash them later. Somehow.
Out in the hallway, Eddy tied on the last fabric strip. She gingerly pulled up the sleeve and tied the laces at the top.
Time to talk. “Is there somewhere we can get some air?”
“It’s raining right now, but I can take you to the front doors. They stay open during the day.”
Her heart thumped a little faster at that. He’d made it sound as if the doors opened and closed themselves, which seemed too much like sorcery for her liking.
“What can you tell me about this castle?”
He trailed his fingers along the wall as he walked. “It’s a creation of the sorcerer, made out of the ruins of an old fortress that stood during the days of the soldier-king.”
It was sorcery.
“Not all the rooms are restored. Just what you’ve seen, along with some bedrooms, a ballroom, and a dining hall.”
A ballroom? Who needed a ballroom in the middle of a forest?
“Can we go any faster?” The hallways narrowed as they walked, the ceiling dipped down. And the floor was tilting. No windows. No doors. No way out.
“Gwen? Take my arm, will you?”
“Your arm?” They’d stopped, and Eddy held his arm out like a gentleman offering to escort a lady.
She grabbed hold a little too fast, setting them both off balance.
He chuckled. “Better?”
A few deep breaths, and the walls receded. “Yes.”
“This place takes some getting used to. I forgot how unnatural it is.”
Unnatural. That explained the feeling. The place reminded her of the underground domain of the sorcerer she and her sisters had run into earlier in the summer. She never thought she’d experience anything like it again.
After a few more turns, the hallway opened into a square entry chamber large enough to stable six horses comfortably. The doors stood wide open, and light trickled in through walls of rain.
She let go of his arm and rushed forward, drawing in lungfuls of fresh, damp air. What she wouldn’t give for the scent of wet horse mingled with it.
“Is there nowhere else to sleep in this place?” she asked.
Eddy joined her and leaned against the door frame. “All the best rooms are sorcery-made.”
Being awake in this place was bad enough, she didn’t know if she could sleep in it again. “Wait, you said ‘all the best rooms.’ So there is somewhere else.”
“I’ve never liked the sorcerer’s handiwork, either. It’s useful when I don’t want to freeze, but I found an original room that was intact. Scavenged a few things from what he left behind, real furniture and clothes.”
“Can we go to your room?” Her face heated. Hazel would be appalled at Gwen inviting herself to a man’s room. So would Mother. “I mean… um…”
“I wish I could see your face.” Eddy grinned wide enough to reveal two rows of perfectly white teeth.
“I’m sure my face is just as red as you’re imagining, and you know what I meant.”
Eddy pushed away from the wall. “Yes, I know what you meant, and, yes, we can go there. I’ll even let you have the room tonight. I’m a little rusty when it comes to chivalry and gallantry, but I can do that.”
“I think you’re doing just fine.” Her face wouldn’t cool. She leaned out the door far enough for the rain to splash on her forehead and cheeks. She’d love a goo
d gallop right now, but she hoped Buttercup had found his way to someplace warm and dry.
“Ready?”
She blinked raindrops off her lashes, the memory of the past two days weighing heavy on her shoulders. “Yes.”
He set a slow pace. Even without seeing a map or having a complete tour, the fortress felt smaller than the royal palace in Eltekon. Despite that, she lost count of the turns and hallways and couldn’t have found her way back to the entrance if the place had been on fire.
After a few minutes, they turned down a hallway with no candles. Sunlight and rain filtered through cracks in the walls, some almost big enough for a person to squeeze through. Water dampened the stones. She tiptoed around a puddle, intent on keeping her socks dry, then bumped into Eddy. They’d reached the end of the hall, and a wooden door stood before them.
He pulled the leather cord from under his shirt and held up a silver skeleton key. “Keeps Sissi out.” He unlocked the door, pushed it open, and stood to the side, worrying the key in his fingers.
Gwen peeked inside but hesitated to enter. No windows.
“It locks from the inside, so you can get out whenever you want.” He removed the cord and held out the key. “Here.”
It was still warm. She hung it around her neck, pulling her hair free. The key bumped against her stomach, not quite at her bellybutton.
“I’ll get us some food while you have a look around. Don’t… don’t go anywhere.”
“I’ve got nowhere to go.”
“And lock the door.”
She did, but only after lighting a candle and placing it on a wooden chest. Smaller than the study, this space had probably been a storeroom in its previous life. A basket overflowing with neatly folded clothes sat nearby, and fist-sized chunks of wood lay scattered around the room. A sword hung from a peg, a bow and quiver from another; spiderwebs coated them both.
Low ceilings, no windows. She unlocked the door, peered down the darkening hallway, then locked herself back in, just to prove she could get out when she wanted. She eased her sore body onto the mattress in the corner and leaned against the wall.
A book lay open on the pillow next to her. Odd. She picked it up: The Soldier-King and the Lady of Thorns. How many times had he read it? How had he read it? She’d assumed the blindfold was a permanent thing, an injury of some sort, but he hadn’t yet told her that part of the story.
After uncountable minutes, he finally knocked. “Gwen?”
She unlocked the door and took the tray he held. It was piled high with bread, a variety of cheeses and cold meats, and some fruit tarts. He also brought the same pitcher and cups that had been in the study.
“Where shall we sit?” she asked.
“Have you moved anything?”
“What? No, of course not.”
He chuckled. “Don’t sound so offended. I don’t care, but I need to know if I might trip over something.”
“Oh.” She glanced at all the wooden pieces lying on the floor.
He shuffled over to the chest, kicking the pieces out of the way when they made contact with his toes, then sat on the floor.
Gwen set down the tray and knelt beside him.
“Now,” Eddy said. “I think I’ve been patient, and I’ve answered your questions, haven’t I?” He fidgeted with a loose string on his sleeve.
He wanted her to tell him about his brothers. She should, but she glanced at the book on the pillow. He was still hiding something.
“All but one.” There was no polite way to ask, so she blurted the first words that came to mind. “How can you read with that blindfold on?”
He straightened, as if the question had been unexpected.
“I mean, the carving I can understand. You do it by touch. But—”
“I’m not blind.”
“You’re not?” She was both relieved and confused.
“No.” He sighed, long and loud.
“I’m sorry. I just assumed.”
“I wanted to tell you earlier, but there’s so much to explain, and I haven’t talked to anyone in a long time. I guess I’ll start from the beginning again?”
“Please. And then I’ll tell you whatever you want to know about your family. Whatever I can, anyway.”
He nodded and mumbled, “Okay, where to begin?” He rubbed his hand over his mouth and beard. “I told you I wasn’t cursed, right?”
“Yes.” Had he lied?
“After I got trapped here, I tried for six months to find a way out. I wasn’t giving up, but neither was Sissi. She still thought she could catch herself a prince and accomplish her mentor’s goals by herself. Show him how badly he’d misjudged her. There was a bit of love potion left—I don’t know where she got it—and she tricked me into taking it.”
She gasped. Potions weren’t like curses. They took extreme care and time to craft, but you didn’t have to take them directly from a sorcerer’s hand for them to work.
“I knew what she’d done right away and closed my eyes. Found a blindfold as soon as I could.”
“Even knowing you might be free if you looked at her?”
“That wouldn’t be freedom.” His head drooped, and his voice lowered, rumbling softly. “I’m an heir. I’m expected to marry and have a family, and I’d hoped after my summer in Eltekon that I might have found my match. I refused to give up that hope.”
She placed the half-eaten tart back on the plate, her appetite gone. She’d have to tell him that Lily was no longer available.
“I couldn’t enslave myself to someone like her, doom my people to that kind of queen.”
“No, I guess not.” She blinked hard and swiped a tear away. “I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for you alone here all this time.”
He lifted his chin and seemed to look right at her through the blindfold. “It’s never been harder than now.”
“Why?”
“I’ve never wanted to look at someone so badly in all my life.”
Chapter Five
“You can’t!” Gwen held out a hand as if to ward him off. She didn’t want someone falling in love with her because of a potion.
Not even Eddy. Especially Eddy.
His shoulders slumped. “I know.”
“I mean… .” She glanced around the tiny room as if an answer would appear from out of the dusty corners. What did she mean? What did he mean, for that matter? Was he merely curious to know what she looked like now, or was it something more?
His head hung low, hands knuckled around the hem of his shirt. He’d been alone for so long. Perhaps he just wanted to see a familiar face, a smile, a kind look. She took his hand in hers, a small hitch in his breathing the only indication that he noticed.
“We’re going to get out of here. Your brothers—they’ll bring help, and you’ll be free again. So, don’t do anything you might regret.” She smiled and tried to put it into her voice. “At least not until then.”
His mustache twitched. “Tell me about my brothers,” he said, his voice tight, pleading.
She told him everything she knew, helped along by his unending questions, and wished she could tell him more. They talked of his father, whom she had never met but had heard much about. He asked about her sisters, begging to hear stories about all eleven of them. If he listened more intently to the stories about Lily, she couldn’t tell, but the news about her engagement could wait. She couldn’t bear to disappoint him tonight. The only person he never mentioned was his mother.
“I should let you rest,” Eddy said, standing.
Judging by the candle, they’d talked for over two hours.
“If you leave for any reason, lock the door.” He hesitated. “But don’t leave.”
“I would only get lost if I did.”
“I’ll be just outside, anyway.” He closed the door behind him.
*
She woke to darkness and silence and emptiness. The musty smell of cold stone tickled her nose in place of morning hot chocolate and flower-scented s
isters. She’d never slept alone before, always having Lily or one of the other girls by her side. No patter of rain, no moonlight or sunlight, nothing leaked through the stones. Her heart thundered in her ears, fast and lonely. She had to get out.
She flailed her legs, struggling out of the blankets, and stumbled to the door. The handle wouldn’t turn.
“Eddy!” She pounded the door with her fists. “Eddy!”
“Gwen?” The thick wood muffled his voice. “You need to unlock the door.”
The lock. The door. The key. She clutched the cord around her neck. No, she didn’t need the key from the inside.
She opened the door, and light trickled in through the crumbling walls. She’d slept all night.
“Forgot where I was.” She needed to know more about this fortress so she wouldn’t forget again. They might be here a few days before help arrived. “Can you show me around today?”
He scratched the back of his head. “I’d like to, but I’ve got to find Sissi.”
“Is she missing?”
“Well… no. I don’t know where she is most of the time, but I need to find her before she finds anyone else the dragons might have herded into the ruins.”
She hadn’t thought of that. He’d said there were many dragons, so it was possible one had found Hazel or Bay. Or both of them. They could be trapped, too, and without shelter or food.
Wait. Why wouldn’t he want Sissi finding anyone? “Is she dangerous?”
He didn’t respond.
“Eddy?”
“She’s… unpredictable at best.”
She didn’t want to hear the worst right now. “I’ll come with you.”
“I thought you’d say that, but I want you to stay here. It’s still raining.”
“I don’t care. My family could be out there.”
“I can go faster alone—at least in the rain. You should stay here in case someone shows up.”
It irritated her that he made sense.
“Trust me.” His eyebrows appeared again. “I found you, didn’t I?”
She nodded, aware he couldn’t see the gesture, and kicked the wall with her heel. She wanted to help. She wanted to find her family and get out of this place, but if letting Eddy do the legwork was the best option, she would wait. Probably a little less patiently than some of her sisters would.