We began to pass by different stone landings, silent and shadowed, but the lift did not stop. We continued to inch upward, the chains ticking like a heartbeat, and I knew we were in the fortress, surpassing the lower floors. No one spoke, but I sensed the duke watching me. I ignored him, and kept my eyes on the wall of stone, waiting for us to reach our destination. The darkness was gradually fading around us, as if we were ascending from night into day.

The lift jerked to a halt and I stumbled backward into Phelan. He grasped hold of my arm, steadying me, and he didn’t let go until the countess took the first step off the lift, onto the highest landing of the fortress.

Sunshine streamed in through skylights in the ceiling. The floors were set with stone, smooth and polished and accented with small blue jewels. The landing opened up into a wide chamber that broke off into four different corridors.

We stood in the sunshine and drifting dust motes, staring at each of the passages, and behind us I could hear the lift beginning to lower with a loud clang.

“Mazarine has inadvertently given us an advantage,” said the countess. “We should explore before the others arrive. See if we can locate Emrys.” She glanced at me. “Anna, you will go with Phelan. His Grace and Lennox will come with me.”

“Should I not accompany Anna and Phelan,” the duke dared to say, “since you and I are familiar with these passages, and they are not?”

Lady Raven’s annoyance was nearly palpable. But she nodded at the duke and said, “Very well.”

She and Lennox took the western corridor, while Phelan and I followed the duke into the eastern one.

Lord Deryn and Phelan both had rapiers sheathed at their belts, and their hands strayed to the hilts as we walked deeper into the silent fortress. I didn’t sense danger, only sorrow and cobwebs of memories. Vibrant tapestries dressed the walls, pleading to be admired after so many years missing a beholder.

I paused before one, captivated by its quaint beauty. It depicted a view from the mountain fortress, overlooking a lush valley. The longer I stared upon the tapestry, the more I felt as if I could step into this scene and find myself in a sun-drenched meadow, cradled by the mountains. . . .

I began to reach out, my fingers touching the finely woven threads.

“Miss Neven,” the duke said, breaking my reverie.

I glanced to where he and Phelan waited a few paces away, both of them regarding me.

“Please stay close to us,” he said. “I do not know where Emrys is, and I do not wish to risk losing you to him.”