“Is someone there?” I call to the dark.
No answer.
I run a hand over the tapestry, investigating the place where it shifted. The fabric is smooth and luxurious beneath my touch,woven in gold and cream thread, depicting leaves climbing over bark, clearly inspired by the Sun Court’s sacred tree.
My fingers catch on a bump in the wall, then dip into a hollow. Another draft stirs my hair, definitely coming from behind it.
My fire flares to life, burning a hole straight through the fabric. The embroidered threads curl black at the edges as I hook a finger through the opening and pull.
Hidden behind the tapestry is a shallow alcove.
My serpent flames rise delicately to light the dark passage, drifting forward and illuminating a set of rusted hinges mounted directly into stone.
A door used to be here, and the realization sends a thrill through me.
I step into the alcove and find a narrow opening beyond it. The ceiling drops sharply, forcing me to crouch. Beyond, a spiral staircase disappears into darkness.
I’ve only descended a few meters when a voice echoes down from above.
“Max!” E says breathlessly, his voice muffled.
I stop and glance up.
“E?”
“Are you inside the wall? Wait up.”
I glance down at my nightgown again and grimace, folding my arms to cover myself up a bit, secretly relieved that I don't have to explore the underbelly of this castle alone.
I thought he might visit me tonight, against my warning and his better judgment. To be frank, I expected him to.
A small, ridiculous part of me didn't think he'd wait this long.
E grunts as he squeezes into the cramped passage. “Blessed Flame. Who were these stairs meant for?”
I think back to Mabel’s library.
“High Fae and royals frequently use sprites for domestic work. Given the way this staircase is condemned, though, I’d say no sprite has worked here in a very long time.”
“Mm. That’s probably true.”
He catches up to me, and the hint of blood staining the stone at his feet throws me for a loop.
My face wrinkles in alarm. “Why are you bleeding?”
He pauses, his bite of power a little wild. “Iris came to my room to…you know. I turned her down, but she attacked me.”
My stomach drops. “What?” I chew on that for a second before I manage to growl. “I really hate that woman.”
“That’s why I came to find you. I was hoping you could clean and bandage the wound,” he explains sheepishly.
I stare at the space he occupies, then plant both hands on his chest and shove. “Turn around.”
“Max—”
“Move.”
He stumbles back a step.
