Silence.

No one retreats.

“Good,” he says. “There’s a village of Forgetful Maidens over the yellow hill. Each man can invite up to two each as long as you vow to take them back in the morning.”

“Hoorah!” “Fuck yes!” “Finally!”

As if that’s all they need to hear, the entire troop turns around with glee and rushes away.

Lafayette and Sola move past us toward the castle, keeping their whispered conversation private. My horse abandons me and follows them.

Gabriel’s eyes meet mine, and he reaches for my hand.

“I’ll show you to your room,” he says.

The interior of the castle is trapped in a distant, faraway time. With all its windows covered in dark, floor length drapes, the flickering candelabras that hang on the walls offer the only light.

Marble dragons, gargoyles, and beasts, guard the entrance of every corridor, and if it weren’t for Gabriel leading the way, I’d feel unwelcome stepping any further.

The regal and plush furniture that fills every sitting room is in perfect condition, without the slightest hint of dust clinging to their fabrics.

It’s as if the owner walked away yesterday, leaving everything behind.

Desperate for conversation as we descend the grand staircase, I rack my brain for a question.

“Do you know the person who lives here?” I ask.

He looks down at me, a slight smile on his lips. “I do.”

“Should we worry about him being upset that we’re staying for such a long time?”

“He’s more than okay with it, trust me.” He tightens his grip on my hand. “You can venture anywhere you like on these grounds, except for the north wing.”

“What’s in the north wing?”

“Death.” He narrows his eyes. “Don’t go there. Ever.”

I nod and he waits a few moments before resuming the tour.

“Four men will remain under your window at all times,” he says. “Two will guard the door and follow any move you wish to make, but they’ll keep as much distance as they can.”

“I see. So, you won’t be talking to me anymore while we’re here?”

He doesn’t answer, and it slowly settles in that I’m officially here as his prisoner, not a guest.

“Sola will attend to your needs as usual,” he says. “She’ll probably give you a better tour than I ever could. That’s the one thing she used to do for me when I…”

His voice trails off and he doesn’t finish that sentence. Instead, he leads me over to the bed and finally lets go of my hand. “Do you have any more questions?”

“Am I allowed to venture outside?”

“No,” he says, his voice firm. “You can only roam the castle, and you’re only allowed to visit the gardens and outside areas during the daylight.”

“Could you at least give me a few books to read since it sounds like I’ll be stuck here for a while?”

“I would,” he says, looking torn between kissing and abandoning me. “But I’d hate to give you any more mixed signals.”