A Captive of Wing and Feather A Retelling of Swan Lake - Melanie Cellier Page 0,36
had spent a lot of time around the oldest of the servants—those who had been at the Keep the longest. She figured they were most likely to know its secrets, and, as it happened, she was right.
Some ancient owner of the Keep had built a hidden escape passage out into the forest. And while some of the oldest servants knew about it, they weren’t sure if Leander had ever been told by his parents. His mother had died when he was young, and his father could be absent-minded at times.
When I asked why she hadn’t used this passage to get out of the Keep herself, Audrey explained that while she knew the place it let out into the forest, she didn’t know where it began inside.
“The problem was that I only heard the end of the conversation,” Audrey said. “And they refused to answer any of my questions about it.” She rolled her eyes. “They were all convinced I was a danger to myself and likely to do something reckless.”
“I can’t imagine where they got that idea,” I muttered and then grinned apologetically when she threw me an accusing look.
“I spent so many hours searching for it,” she said with a sigh. “I can tell you a great many places where the entrance isn’t.”
“Well, we’ll know soon enough,” said Gabe. “From this side, all we need is the exit—the tunnel itself will lead us to the entrance.”
“You know I just escaped from the Keep, right?” Audrey said. “I can’t say I’m excited to be sneaking back in there the next night.”
“You’re not going at night,” I said quickly. “Because you’re definitely not going without me.”
Gabe grimaced, looking as if he wanted to argue, but refrained from actually doing so. I wasn’t sure if he was frustrated at the limitation or just wanted to keep me away from potential danger. Either way, I didn’t intend to budge on the matter.
“In the morning, then,” Gabe said. “And you don’t have to actually come in, Audrey. We just need you to show us the exit to the passage. It’s probably better that way, anyway, since Leander won’t be able to do Adelaide or me any great harm even if he does find us. He can instruct his guards to bar me entry under the guise of keeping me safe, but he won’t dare actually harm me if he finds me already inside.”
“Not that we want to be seen,” I said quickly.
We might be safe, but our friends were not. And in truth, I didn’t have the same faith that Leander wouldn’t be willing to cross a line of no return. Knowing I was a princess hadn’t stopped him from entrapping me.
I didn’t mention any of that, though. Something had to be done about Leander—and for more than just my sake. Going into the Keep seemed to be our only option. I agreed that Audrey didn’t need to come, though.
“But what about Lady?” Audrey asked. “She’s not the crown prince.”
“No, but she’s close enough,” Gabe said, before I could think of a reply of my own. “And he seems to want to keep her alive.” He gestured around us at the lake and the clearing, not seeming to notice my wide eyes and tense expression. “I’ve been wondering if perhaps he’s scared of her brother.”
“Why would Lord Leander be scared of Lady’s brother?” Audrey asked. “You know Lady’s not from around here, right?”
Gabe finally picked up on the confusion coming from Audrey and the tension radiating from me. He looked quickly between us, his eyes settling on me.
“I thought you said you told her everything.”
“I told her everything about my situation and the trap or curse or whatever this is.” I glared at him. “Not everything about everything.”
“Wait, what’s going on?” Audrey’s eyes darted back and forth. “What don’t I know?”
Gabe looked more uncomfortable than I’d ever seen him, having just stepped into the middle of something he clearly didn’t want to be involved in.
“I’m sure I mentioned that Adelaide sent me to get you,” he said. “Didn’t you wonder how I knew her?”
“Well…” Audrey bit her lip. “I guess I was just so relieved to be out of there and to see my family again. Plus, Lady is a damsel in distress and you’re a prince, so I guess it just seemed like the kind of thing that would…”
She trailed off at my unimpressed look.
“Sorry, Lady.” She gave me a cheeky grin before scooting over to sit closer and gazing at me coaxingly.