CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Ilet out a squeak of surprise before I fist my hand in Bastian’s shirt and drag him into my room, slamming the door quickly behind him.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, panicky. I’m sure my eyes look crazed. “Did anyone see you? Wait,howare you even here?”
He chuckles. “One question at a time,staellara. I told you I’d be in touch.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think you would show up outside my room!” I throw my arms out to gesture around me in emphasis. “I more so figured you meant like letters. Messenger pigeons. Something that doesn’t involve you being physically present in your rival court's palace, without their permission.” My eyes go even wider if that’s possible. “Gods, you could’ve gotten yourself killed if they caught you! These people very much seem the type to shoot first, ask questions later. Now you want me to go one question at a time? First question, what are you doing here?”
He has the audacity to look bashful. “I wanted to check on you. Make sure you are alright. Settling in well.”
I let out an exasperated breath. “It’s barely been a few hours. Did you expect them to lock me up in a tower or something?Because if so, that’s something you should’ve told me before trekking me across the realm.”
He rolls his eyes with a smirk. “So dramatic. No, I didn't expect them to lock you away. I know that it can be a bit overwhelming in the palaces. I wanted to make sure you were okay from that standpoint. Not about whether or not they were treating you well. Although, I suppose I do want to know if they’re treating you well.”
“I’mfine, Bastian.” I shake my head at him in faux annoyance. “How did you get here?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” he says with a wink.
I keep my face blank. “I would, that’s why I asked,” I deadpan.
“That portrait across from your room is a hidden passage,” he explains simply.
“Excuse me?”
“Come,” he orders, holding out his hand for me.
I slip my hand into his and he drags me back to my bedroom door. He cracks the door open enough to check if the coast is clear in the hallway. Once he’s confirmed it’s safe, he opens the door wider and pulls me across the hall until we’re stood in front of the seaside town. His free hand slides along the edge of the portraits frame until it hits whatever mechanism he’s looking for and the frame releases from the wall, swinging open to reveal a dark shadowed corridor. There’s no light in the tunnel making it look as if it goes on forever.
With one last look over his shoulder, he tugs me further into the passage with him before shutting the portrait-door behind us.
“What is this place?” I ask, awestruck, waiting on my eyes to adjust to the darkness.
“It’s a hidden passageway,” Bastian teases. I can’t see his smile, but I can hear it in his voice.
“Well, no shit. Why’s it here?”
“It was built into the palace as a safety feature for the royals. There are several throughout the palace connecting critical areas to each other but also leading outside the palace. It’s so the family can make a quick escape if they need to. But it’s also quite useful for when someone wants to sneak into the palace unseen.” My eyes have adjusted enough that I can see the smirk on his lips.
“How did you know they were here?”
“Blackdown has similar sets of tunnels that I’ve had plenty of time to explore for myself. I don’t know all the ones here, I simply got lucky that one of the few I did know, led to your room. These tunnels have been largely forgotten in recent years as there hasn’t been a need for them to be used.”
“So why are you showing me?” I ask.
His face suddenly sobers. “I wanted to make sure you had all the tools at your disposal while you’re here on your own. That includes knowing your quick escape routes.”
“Oh,” I breathe out.
He lifts his hand, brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, oh.” He leans forward to plant a soft kiss against my forehead. “Now, I need you to not hate me for what I’m about to do.” I flinch back but before I can say anything, he covers my mouth, his hand silencing me. “I’m calling in my favor.”
My eyes go wide. The room tilts and spins as I struggle to breathe. Panic washes over me in a wave.He told me he wouldn’t call in the favor.
“It’s nothing bad. I swear,” he rushes out. “I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to do.” My brows furrow in confusion. “Can I release you?” I nod and he drops his hand.
“What’s the favor?” I ask, cautiously.
“If anything happens, you will come find me immediately. I’m staying with a friend in town, so I’ll be nearby. If you get hurt, or anything like that. I need you to come to me. Okay?”
