He snuck in here and attempted to snatch you from the garden. He does not deserve your consideration.
I put my hands on my hips. “Perhaps not. But we need to know how he got here. Or have you forgotten that last time we checked we were surrounded by an impenetrable wilderness full of vicious animals?”
Dominic’s expression changed, and I could read the reluctant concession in his eyes. I looked around, wishing yet again that I could see the servants. Surely Dominic’s roar had brought at least a few running to our location.
“Let the servants know where you intend to put him. I will go to the kitchens and have them prepare some food for him. I’m sure news of his location will have made it there by the time they have a tray ready.”
Food? Dominic sounded outraged, but I shook my head.
“He must be fed. I shall tell them to keep it to bread and water, if you prefer?”
I prefer to throw him out and let the wolves find him. Dominic’s words were punctuated by another, deeper growl.
“He made it here, didn’t he? For all we know, such a course of action might allow him to go free. Or return to attack us again.”
Dominic’s eyes widened at the suggestion, and for a moment I feared he meant to dispatch Cole on the spot. I held his gaze, however, and his grip slowly loosened again.
“Matthew,” I called without taking my eyes from the prince.
Aye, my lady.
So someone had fetched the stable master, just as I hoped. “Could you please assist Dominic in getting this man to a suitable location?”
I don’t need assistance, from Matthew or anyone. Dominic almost spat the words.
“You need assistance in keeping your temper.” I knew I should probably stay with them myself, but I needed a moment to myself to think through this astonishing development.
You can rely on me, Princess Sophie, said Matthew, and I smiled gratefully in his direction.
“I’ll see you soon.” I turned to leave but stopped short when Cole called my name.
“Princess Sophie!” When I wheeled back around to face him, he met my eyes, his own warm. “Thank you.”
I stared at him. “Don’t mistake good sense and common compassion for a short memory,” I snapped. “I haven’t forgotten what you attempted to do a moment ago, or what you did in Marin, either. I will bring you some food, but I will expect some answers in return.”
His face fell, and he said nothing. After eyeing him warily for another moment, I hurried toward the kitchens. As I strode into the castle, my mind raced. What did Cole mean by coming here? And how had he managed it? Surely this must be evidence that the changes we had observed in the grounds stretched further into the kingdom.
When I arrived, I found the kitchen abuzz. Clearly someone had beaten me here with the news. Questions bombarded me from every direction, but I shook my head until silence fell. “I need bread and water for the prisoner. I won’t know the answers to your questions until I have a chance to interrogate him.”
Interrogate? Are you going to beat him?
I frowned, unsure from Gordon’s voice if the prospect excited or repelled him. “Of course, I’m not going to beat him. It’s a cruel and ineffective means of obtaining information. I will merely speak to him. If he ever wishes to be let out of whatever cell Dominic has found for him, he’ll answer me.”
I hope you’re right, Your Highness, said Gilda. I don’t like this situation, not one little bit.
I forced myself to smile, attempting to lift the mood of the room. “There is no need for so much pessimism. This may be a chance to gain valuable information. And, at the very least, we have evidence that it is now possible to cross the wilderness unharmed. Such a thing should be a cause of rejoicing.”
For you, maybe, muttered a voice I recognized.
I rounded on Connor. “Do you never work, Connor? You seem to always be here, in the kitchen. Perhaps I should speak to the steward about increasing your duties, since they are clearly so light?”
He didn’t respond and I rolled my eyes. “No? Well, see if you cannot work on a change of attitude. I have done nothing to deserve your constant snide remarks.” If I wouldn’t let a cursed prince speak to me in such a way, it was high time I stopped allowing a footman to do so.
Yes, indeed! Be gone with you, Connor, said Gilda. She said nothing else, so I assumed he must have complied.
A tray floated toward me with a rather stale looking hunk of bread and a small wooden cup of water. I eyed it skeptically but sighed and accepted it. Apparently, the servants shared Dominic’s perspective.
They’ve got him down in the dungeon, burst out a puffed voice moments later. It sounded young, one of Gordon’s sometimes friends among the stable boys, perhaps. I can show you the way down there, Your Highness.
Don’t be ridiculous, Michael, said Gordon, confirming my guess. I’m the princess’ page boy, so I’ll show her the way.
I hid a grin at the proud note in his voice. “Thank you, Gordon. And thank you for bringing the message, Michael. Perhaps the chef might have sticky bun to give you by way of thanks.”
Thank you, Your Highness!
I hoped the treat might go some way toward soothing his disappointment as I followed a bobbing, unlit candlestick out of the room. Gordon and I had long since adopted the use of a candle to make our trips through the castle easier.
Gordon seemed bursting with excitement as we hurried down toward the dungeon, and my remonstrances only served to calm him for short bursts. Given his long-standing fascination with the place, I could hardly be surprised at his current excitement at finding it occupied.
My fears, which had revolved around rats, darkness, and terrible smells, turned out to be unfounded. The dungeons were lit by a plethora of brightly burning torches, and the worst smell was that of stale air. Neither the corridor, nor the couple of cells that I peeked into, even appeared particularly dirty. The cold stone was certainly not appealing, but it was a great deal more pleasant than I had pictured.
Gordon’s excitement seemed to dim somewhat, and I wondered if he felt the same. Perhaps Gilda should have allowed him down here long ago. She might have found the location soon lost its appeal.
Several guards called out their presence as we walked past, and we found Cole in the furthest cell. Dominic stood outside, his body tense, shooting frequent glances toward the closed door. When we approached, he frowned, first at the tray I carried and then at me. He held out his hands as if to take it from me, but I shook my head and tightened my grip.
“I’m taking it in there, myself.”
I don’t want you anywhere near him.
“We need information. Do you really think he’s likely to say anything to you?”
I raised my eyebrows, and Dominic looked away, the frustration clear on his face.
Well, I’m coming with you.
I shook my head again. “No, I need to speak to him alone if I’m to have any hope of getting the answers we both want. But by all means stay right out here, ready to rescue me, if need be.” I smiled as winningly as I could, and he seemed to soften a little.