“You know what my father said. The ancient laws will protect her, and the Beast cannot harm her while they are bound together by their betrothal.”
She sighed. “I know. I just wish I knew what happened to our connection. What if it’s gone…” her voice dropped down to a whisper… “forever?”
Jon looked concerned. “Surely not. You just felt her then, did you not? I’m sure it is only that Palinar is blocking you somehow.”
“Yes. Yes, I’m sure you’re right.” I could tell from Lily’s face that she didn’t completely believe it, but she was letting herself trust him as much for his sake as her own. “And I haven’t even asked you how the meetings went. Was there any word on Cole?”
He shook his head, the tiredness creeping into his own eyes. “The captain of the guard believes he has somehow managed to flee across the southern border into Talinos. And he has not gone alone.”
Lily frowned and opened her mouth, to question him, I was sure, but the mirror had begun to fog again.
“No!” I shook my head and stretched out my hand to touch the mirror again. “No! I want to see her again. Show me my sister.”
But before the mirror could clear again, the curtain was ripped closed, almost pulling the material loose from the wall in the process. I staggered away from the Beast, tripping over my dress and toppling backwards to land on my rear. I expected to look up to see him towering over me, but he had returned to his door, which he was holding open, a thunderous look on his face.
What did you tell me only hours ago? That you would not enter my chambers?
I flushed.
How dare you trespass in here! His voice reverberated in my mind, and I winced. How dare you use my mirror when I had forbidden it!
Chapter 13
I finally managed to scramble to my feet. “I didn’t mean any harm.” I spoke loudly, over the growl that now filled the room. “I only wanted to…” But my voice trailed off as the look in his eyes combined with my own guilt to send me running from the room.
I had meant to flee in the direction of my chamber, but my feet took me in a different direction. When I found myself in the entrance hall, I knew what had brought me here. I had taken enough. My guilt at breaking into his rooms had faded in the face of my anger at the way he treated me like an enemy. Or a possession, to be controlled.
I needed space. To clear my head.
But, more importantly, I needed to talk to my sister. To hear her voice in my mind and to reassure her that I was safe. The afternoon sun had started to set, and I wasn’t wearing a cloak, but I didn’t consider going back for one. Running down the outside steps, I turned toward the stables.
When I burst into the building, Chestnut nickered a greeting, reminding me that I hadn’t visited her in a while. I whispered to her as soothingly as my shaking voice would allow, racing to strap on a saddle.
Within minutes the two of us cantered down the aisle of orange trees. The Beast had told me the gates would be locked, but they were ceremonial more than anything. No fence encircled the grounds. If I could not go through the gates, I would go around them.
Sure enough, the end of the aisle was now barred by iron, twisted into elaborate shapes. I turned Chestnut’s head, and we trotted down the fence. As I had predicted, it soon disappeared into a large bush and failed to emerge out the other side.
I steered Chestnut around the foliage, urging her onward with my knees. Riding back to Marin wasn’t an option, of course—and I wouldn’t have tried it anyway, for all the same reasons that had brought me here. But I hoped the block on my connection with Lily might disappear as soon as I passed the boundaries of the castle grounds.
As we burst free, I strained my mind, more eager than ever to reestablish the link between us. I hit the wall, but felt it give way a little, as if it weren’t entirely solid. I urged Chestnut to continue and thrust my thoughts forward, struggling to find a path through. My days of practice with the servants and the Beast had honed my mental capacity, and I felt a new force behind my attempts.
With a rush, I broke free of the block, my mind instantly connecting with Lily’s. I almost fell off Chestnut from the sudden rush of shared emotion.
Sophie!
Lily!
Oh, thank goodness, thank goodness, I’ve been so worried! I could tell my twin was crying.
I drew a shuddering breath, fighting my own sob with a smile. Of course you have. You always are.
Hey! I didn’t have to see her face to picture her watery chuckle. I’ve made a lot of progress on that, I’ll have you know. Jon’s been assisting me.
I laughed back at her, reveling in the moment. Jon’s as bad as you are, you know that, right?
Sophie, what happened? Where have you been?
The situation is bad here in Palinar, Lil. I wouldn’t have made it through the wilderness if the Beast hadn’t sent his royal carriage for me. But it seems his castle and grounds here are protected. Only I think the protection is blocking our connection somehow. It happened as soon as I arrived. And, seriously, it’s hard to describe the magic here, but I’ve never seen anything like it. I sent her a mental picture of the aisle of orange trees, full of both blossoms and fruit, the sun bouncing off the orange globes to strike the snow below.
Is that…snow? In the middle of summer?
Among other things. The whole place is like this. And the servants are invisible, and the Beast can’t speak, and I think the rest of his family is dead. I blurted it all out, knowing it would make little sense to her, but needing to let it out. And no one will speak to me about the curse. Oh, and the Beast has a magic mirror. Apparently, all the kings have one—ask Jon about it. I saw you in it, but I also saw Cole. He was riding with some other men.
What? Where?
I tried to describe the setting, but it sounded as generic as it had looked.
She sighed. He truly has escaped into Talinos like we feared, then. Nowhere in Marin looks like that. But never mind him. Are you all right? Has this Beast mistreated you? And did you say the servants are invisible?
I could tell she had no more idea where to start than I did. I took a deep breath, no longer paying attention to Chestnut who had dropped to a slow walk. Oh, Lily. Tears leaked down my face. It’s so good to hear you again. I’ve been so lonely.
I knew it! I should never have let Jon convince me. I’m coming after you.
No! Lily promise me you won’t. Not until I’ve learned more about the curse at least. I wished I could reach out and shake her. Didn’t you hear what I said? Even I wouldn’t have made it without the Beast’s intervention. You’ll be ripped apart by the wolves!
A remembered echo of their howls sounded through my mind, so real that I shivered. And then I heard it again. I gulped. That hadn’t been a memory.
Sophie? Sophie, what is it? Lily had instantly picked up on my change of mood.
Uh, nothing. I just thought I heard something. I turned Chestnut around and pointed her back in the direction of the castle. At least, I hoped it was the right direction.