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“Do you think they got a photo of us?”
“I’m not sure. If they did, it was from a distance. Don’t worry about it.”
“And do you think they’re following us?”
He didn’t want to think that was true. But he knew that the paparazzi would go to great lengths to get a good photo or a juicy story.
“It’s not far from here. Can you keep going?”
She nodded. “But could we slow down a little? The ground is uneven and there are roots sticking up.”
He glanced around as he strained to hear any sign that they’d been followed. “I think we’re good.”
“Maybe you should call someone. Your security will be worried.”
He pulled out his phone, but there was no reception out here in the middle of nowhere. “I can’t call now, but I will as soon as we get back.”
“Then we better get moving before the queen sends out every guard on the palace grounds.”
They set off once more at a much more reasonable pace. He told himself he kept ahold of Bianca’s hand to help her along the way.
Twenty or so minutes had passed when Leo came to a stop. He released Bianca’s hand. She didn’t say anything. He could tell she was tired and definitely not happy. The entire day had been ruined. And it was his fault for not doing a better job of planning ahead.
He knew there was an entrance around here somewhere. The problem was that it hadn’t been used in so many years there was a significant amount of overgrowth.
He pulled on the vines and at last he found the bars over the entrance. “Here it is.”
Bianca moved to his side. “What is it?”
“An entrance to the palace.”
Bianca started to laugh. “You can’t be serious. It looks like a drainage pipe.”
“That’s what it’s supposed to look like.”
“But I’m confused. Why would you want the entrance to the palace to look like a neglected drainage pipe?”
“Because it’s a secret entrance.”
He hunched down as he worked to release the lever that held the iron grate in place. There had been so many years of disuse and rain that it was rusty. Leo made a mental note to have someone come out here discreetly and make sure it was in better working order.
It took several minutes and all his might, but finally the latch gave way. And then he pulled the grate open.
He stepped inside and then turned back for Bianca. “Come on.”
She shook her head. “I... I don’t think so.”
“Trust me. This a lot shorter than climbing the hillside to the palace.”
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“But there might be snakes or worse in there.” She visibly shuddered.
“What’s worse than a snake?”
Softly she uttered, “A spider.”
He wanted to tease her, but he saw the genuine fear in her eyes. Instead he pressed a hand to his heart. “I swear upon my life that I will protect you from any snake or spider.”
