“You won’t,” Mom swore.
“I wasn’t finished,” he said in a tone that snapped her mouth shut. “If you betray me”—he pointed at her and dragged his finger to aim at me—“she pays.” He cocked his head slowly. “Understand?”
“I’dneverrisk my children. Never!” Mom turned to me, her eyes shining. “Lilia, I can’t leave you here.”
“You have to.” I nudged her and gave her a smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine here. Look at all these plants to keep me busy.” I gestured with my arm.
She searched my gaze for a few seconds before turning back to the gargoyle. “I-I understand,” she stammered.
“Good. We have an agreement.” Then he turned and marched back out into the courtyard. His massive wings emerged, spreading out behind him. And then they swooshed through the air and ascended out of view.
I gaped into the darkness, my skin clammy and my breath coming hard. What had I just agreed to? I’d bound myself here with a gargoyle to accomplish a mission, which I didn’t knowwas even possible. The weight of the bargain pressed down on me as unyielding as the imposing stone walls of this castle.
CHAPTER 6
LILIA
Isaid goodnight to Henri and my mom, who was staying in the room beside his. Once I stepped into the hall, I saw Genevieve walking toward me, a gentle smile on her lined face.
“Come along, Lilia. I’ll show you to your room.”
My room. I gulped. For how long?
I couldn’t think too far ahead as I just needed to get through the night here. Tomorrow could wait.
I walked beside her in silence, trying to memorize the route. The corridor from the great hall led past the kitchen where I’d brewed Henri’s medicine, then up a wide stone staircase worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. Old tapestries lined the walls with scenes of forests and mountains, of battles I didn’t recognize, of a time long ago.
“The castle is called Valgarde,” Genevieve said as we climbed. “It’s been here longer than anyone can remember. Hadrien’s family built it, generations back.”
I snorted. “Before the queen.”
Her mouth tightened. “Before many things.”
We reached a landing and turned down another stone corridor. This one was narrower, lined with doors that stood closed and silent. Dust gathered in the corners despite Genevieve and Victor’s efforts to maintain the place.
“How long have you worked here?” I asked.
“Forty years, give or take.” She paused at a door near the end of the corridor.
“Willingly?” I asked, considering my predicament.
“Of course.” She opened the door, revealing a room that made me stop in my tracks.
It was spacious and beautiful. A four-poster bed dominated one wall, its posts carved with the intricate fleur-de-lis, which I’d seen elsewhere throughout the castle. Heavy maroon curtains framed tall windows that looked out over the courtyard. A small writing desk sat beneath one window, stocked with paper and ink. On the other side stood a tall wardrobe.
I gasped. “This is not what I expected.”
“What did you expect?” she said with a tilt of her head.
“Something more…prison like?” After all, I was a prisoner, was I not?
Genevieve shook her head. “No. He can be intimidating but he’s not a monster.”
I arched a brow at her, indicating my skepticism.
After she showed me where the linens were kept, she said, “That should be everything until morning.”
I set my small pack down on the desk. “Thank you. You’ve been very kind to my family.”
