36.

My eyelids won’t open this morning. I stretch and yawn, but nothing gives. It takes me forcing them to obtain a result. Squinting against the sunlight pouring through the balcony door, I estimate what time it is. Has to be close to noon. I’ve missed breakfast.

I bolt up. What if Malik tried to contact me before they sent him to another part of the castle? There’s only one person to talk to.

I fix myself the best I can and trail through the never-ending labyrinth of hallways. King Zarek should be in his office. Hopefully.

Two guards block me from entering.

“Do you have a prior arrangement?” one asks.

“Well, uh, no. I don’t, but—”

“Then you can’t see His Majesty.” He eyes me cautiously, as if I’m going to perform a stunt to continue through the doors.

“Can you at least tell him I stopped by and need to chat?”

“We aren’t messengers. I suggest you wait until His Majesty wishes to speak with you.”

Well, this is going nowhere. Now what am I supposed to do? I guess I can stroll through the gardens. It’s not too awful outside with the dome surrounding the castle. Seems like it prevents more than just critters and falling stars.

Through the maze of towering hedges I come upon another area with a fountain, except this one has a black granite demon. Water arcs from its open mouth. The longer I stare at it, the more I believe it might come to life.

“Enjoying the gardens today?” someone asks behind me. I pivot around to see King Zarek.

“I tried to visit you, but—”

“Yes, my guards aren’t lenient with visitors. I apologize for their lack of manners. When I heard your conversation outside, I came to see what the fuss was about, but you had taken your leave.”

“It’s nothing, really. I just wanted to speak to you about Malik.”

“Oh?”

I squint against the sun’s rays. “Well, I didn’t get to say goodbye to him this morning before he left for his job duties. I wondered if I’ll see him again. I mean, he will be returning to the guest room beside mine, right?”

“I’m afraid not. When someone is relocated to a different position within the castle, they are moved to a room near their job area. Makes it easier for work purposes.”

I weave my fingers together. In and out and around. “Will I get to see him, though?”

He laughs in a way that makes me feel ignorant. “I’m not going to tell you there isn’t a specific location you cannot see.”

I exhale a sigh I hadn’t realized I’d been holding in. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Come. You and I have matters to discuss. And I have a proposal for you.”

“I’ve heard those words before.”

He chuckles and wraps one arm around my shoulders. My body slightly tenses. “I promise this will be greater than my last proposal.”

“That doesn’t help me.”

“It will be a rather considerable decision. I hope I’m not spoiling this for you, by any means. I want this to be your choice.”

What is he talking about? What could possibly be bigger than him offering for me to stay in Valyad until we reach a decision on supplies? And right now, I still don’t know if that’s why he wants me here.

“Okay, well, when will we have this meeting?” I ask. Hesitant about it, though.

“Anytime you think you’re ready. It won’t take long, but I’d prefer we do it after dinner. How does that sound?”

“I’m a sooner-rather-than-later kind of girl, but if that’s what you insist we do—”

“I do insist.”

“Yes, Majesty.” I complete my address with an over-the-top bow. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

He returns the mocking bow, and then winks.

Now, I have more problems. What is this other proposal? How is it going to change everything? I need to visit Malik. If only I knew directions to the kitchen.

The afternoon hours are spent exploring hallways I’ve never seen. Some I don’t remember. Some I probably shouldn’t be in. Almost all of Valyad’s citizens glare at me, as if this is no place for someone to be poking around.

Right. Left. Right. Long. Short. All with ornate tapestries, different people. And none of them leading me where I want to go. I work up the nerve to ask a passerby where the kitchen is located. Maybe I could at least catch a glimpse of Malik, then.

“You have to take the second western corridor,” she explains, pointing to the opposite side of where we stand. “Go down the hall and take a right. It will open up into yet another hall. Follow it to the end. You should be able to find your way from there. It doesn’t branch much further.”

“Thank you,” I say, and return the way I came. But all of the passages begin to look like the last one and soon I’m lost again. I aim to go back, but I take a wrong turn, ending up in an empty ballroom. Gradually sliding down against the wall, I decide it’s best I just stay here. At least until I’ve regained my composure and can find a way out.

Right now I want to know what Mama and Mattie are doing, if things are getting better or if they’re worse.

“I failed you Mama,” I whisper aloud. “I failed all of you.”

How am I supposed to convince the King we need help when he won’t give me five minutes to talk? It’s always, I have matters to attend to or I’ll see you at dinner. That doesn’t get me anywhere. And now Malik is in some distant portion of the castle that I can’t reach. Who can I speak with?

At this very moment, I grapple with the idea that I’m hopelessly alone. 

Bam, bam, bam.

Pounding against the doorframe startles me so that I jump up and open the door.

It’s Daphne.

“Thought I saw ya come in here,” she says.

I throw my arms around her neck, squeezing tightly. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed ya too, miss.”

Pulling away from her, I say, “I got lost so I just hung out in here. I looked for the kitchen, even stopped a lady and asked her for directions. Still couldn’t find it.”

“What ya doin’ lookin’ for the kitchen?” Her fists rest on her hips.

“I’m trying to find my friend, Malik. I wanted to make sure he’s okay. I didn’t get to say goodbye this morning.”

“Ah, he came with ya this time, did he?”

I nod.

“Ya can’t go in there, ya know. But I’ll show ya where it’s at.” She motions for me to follow.

“Thanks, Daphne.”

“So tell me. Have ya had any luck with the King?”

“I’m afraid not. Every time I try to talk to him, he says we’ll speak later, but we never do. He did come to Legora, though.”

“He came ta yer town?” She takes a step to the left, wide-eyed.

“He doesn’t usually do that, does he?” I guess.

“No, miss.”

“I’m still unsure as to what he and our town leader arranged. They met for a few hours, but, as usual, King Zarek won’t tell me anything.” I shake my head in disgust.

Daphne expresses concern that maybe Legora will have to give up something in return for supplies, and perhaps that’s the reason why Malik and I were sent here. To work or pay off the debt. But I explain to her that obviously Malik is already working and I’m not. So, if that were the issue, why wouldn’t I be sewing clothes or preparing food?

“He told me he has a proposal to offer,” I say, following Daphne through every twist and turn of this massive structure.

“What do ya think that’d be?”

“I’m completely lost. The first time he had a proposal was when he offered for me to come back with him. And here I am.”

“Can’t be too bad, miss.”

“Hopefully not. He wants to discuss it with me after dinner.”

Daphne stops just outside two doors that are smaller than, and not as elaborate as, the others I’ve seen in the fortress.

“Here we are, miss. But we aren’t allowed inside.”

“Oh.” I contemplate how I’ll know Malik’s in there, when another idea rattles my brain. “Do you know where these people would stay while working here?”

“There are several rooms they’re put up in,” she says. “Can’t narrow it down, though.”

“Too many,” I assume.

“Yes, miss.”

“Well, I can’t say I didn’t try.” I smile. “Thanks for helping me. At least I’ll know where he’s at. It gives me a little bit of relief.”

“Who’s takin’ care of ya?”

“What?”

“Who’s yer maid?”

Will she laugh if I tell her the story about Lucy? I decide it’s better to keep quiet. “Nobody. I’m alone.”

There she goes planting her hands on her hips again. She scoffs, too. “The nerve! They should have someone takin’ good care of ya.”

“It’s okay. I’m used to providing for myself.”

“Ya sure ya don’ need somebody?” Her eyes narrow.

“I’m sure. But I do miss your company.”

The double doors burst open and a man with an unkempt beard and round waist stares at both of us. “You two shouldn’t be here. Go on.”

“See if I ever eat yer food again, Ray,” Daphne says.

“Aw, c’mon.”

She huffs, but in a cute way, like she’s flirting with him, and then storms off. I turn to see Ray’s arms still outstretched toward her.

“Did you two…” I begin.

He clears his throat. “Once upon a time, yes.” He looks from me to the direction in which Daphne left in a hurry. “Well, go on. Nothing to be seeing here.”

I figure Daphne will be waiting in the nearest hallway, out of sight.

She isn’t.

It’s not until I reach my room that I find her sitting in one of the chairs on my balcony.

“What was all that about?” I ask, approaching her and stopping in the doorway.

“Nothin’,” she lies.

“Mmhmm. I can see right through you. You know…if you hadn’t pranced off so quickly, I would’ve thought you two were just friends.”

“Ya don’ know what yer talkin’ about.”

“I know exactly what I’m talking about. And so do you. You have feelings for him. It’s cute.”

Her face glows when I say his name. “Ya think it’s cute?”

“It’s always endearing to see two people who like each other do nothing but fight. And not even real fights. Like the one back there—fake.”

“I’ve liked him for a while,” she confesses. “My work has kept me in another part of the castle, so we can’t see each other.”

“You two could sneak. It’d be romantic. Like, forbidden love.”

Her eyes expand to an unnatural size, cheeks flush. “Oh, that’s excitin’. What should I do?”

“Leave him a note. You know where his quarters are, right?”

“Yes,” she says dreamily.

“Good. Slip it under his door so when he retires to his room tonight, he’ll see it.”

Daphne agrees it’s a good idea, but she’s still in her euphoric state. I only hope it works out for them, because that’s the only trick I can think of right now; I need to focus on what I’ll say to King Zarek after the banquet.