Chapter 33
DAHLIA
“There’ll be quills you can use in the library.” Claren walks ahead of us. Maeve’s daughter follows closely behind him. Blossom and Eden walk by my side while Pumpkin is snuggled up in Eden’s arms.
According to Claren, my sisters were not keen to enter the castle when their carriage first arrived. They’d peeked out through the doorway, staring up at its looming walls, Blossom refusing to let the other girls take even a single step onto the withered grass.
But after Pumpkin scampered up to them, licking each of them before darting back inside the castle to bring them her favourite soft toy, they decided a few hours couldn’t hurt.
They’ve been inseparable ever since.
We met up around moonrise, after Tauren insisted on us all getting rest before the night began. He’d prepared a bedchamber near where Maeve used to sleep for her daughter to rest in, and for my sisters he’d given them individual suites near our tower – although they insisted on sharing.
I don’t blame them. After seeing the skulls, graphic tapestries, and blood-coloured sheets that decorate their suites, I’d hate to ever visit the dungeon.
Once I’d eaten breakfast, Tauren finally let me visit them. There, I found Maeve’s daughter and Claren about to leave for the library.
“There’ll be lots of books too, of course,” Claren goes on. “So if you’d rather point to the letters instead of writing, you can.”
Maeve’s daughter nods while hugging her chest. Like me, she’s dressed in a green demon gown with a long skirt that sweeps along the floor.
My sisters were offered new gowns, but they insisted on wearing the ones they’d brought from home. Or at least, Blossom insisted and Eden reluctantly agreed.
I’ll win Blossom over eventually. Eden will be a much easier battle. My fashion-obsessed sister has been eyeing the delicate embroidery of my gown the entire journey here.
Claren holds open a huge oak door, and gestures for us to enter.
As I follow the girls in, the sight takes my breath away.
Demons must do a lot of reading. Their castle library is bigger than Father’s ballroom! We’re stood upon a platform, overlooking the dizzyingly large hall. Shelves line the floor and walls, stretching as far as the eye can see, and upon them are hundreds and hundreds of multicoloured books.
You could spend an entire lifetime here and not read them all. Even twelve lifetimes wouldn’t come close.
Blossom chokes on a gasp while Eden hugs Pumpkin with her mouth wide.
“Tell me you have romance books here,” I gasp.
Claren shrugs. “Of course we do. I make sure we always get the new fiction releases.”
“I must be dreaming,” I laugh. There are pockets of armchairs and coffee tables scattered around the wooden floor. Desks with parchments and quills are lit up by floor lamps and wall sconces.
Maeve’s daughter drifts past us, down the stairs towards the nearest desk. Dipping a quill into ink, she writes something while we all move closer to watch her. Once finished, she holds it up to show us.
“What does ‘Tamryn’ mean?” Eden asks. It’s written on the page in scratchy letters.
“It’s her name.” Claren beams. “Tamryn is your name, right?” he asks her.
Tamryn nods with a pretty smile.
“That’s a lovely name,” says Blossom.
“Yes. Much nicer than Blossom.” I can’t help myself. She swats me on the arm, and I cackle.
Claren gestures to a chair for Tamryn and pulls up another beside her for himself. “Why don’t you start by telling us about your life?” he asks. “What was it like living in Lord Elheart’s palace?”
She blinks at him, then brings the quill to the paper again. But this time, her letters don’t make any sense. They’re long and sweeping.
“She’s drawing.” I step up to her side. It’s a good drawing. She draws herself painting onto an easel. There’s a smiling man seated on a tree stump beside her, who must be Elheart. In the background is the palace with trees, bushes, a swooping owl against fluffy clouds.
After a few minutes, she lowers the quill and holds up the drawing for Claren to see.
His brow creases. “Maeve isn’t in your drawing.”
Tamryn frowns, tapping her fingers on the parchment.
“Does this mean you were happy?” I ask. For some reason, I don’t think it’s a good idea to ask about her mother.
Tamryn shrugs, nodding once.
“Happy enough?” I clarify.
She nods more forcefully.
Claren scoots closer, passing her the quill again. “Your drawing is nice, Tamryn,” he speaks carefully. “But will you write for us? It’s easier for us to understand that way.”
Taking the quill, she tilts her head. But when she brings it back to the page she only writes one word above herself in the drawing, Tamryn.
We all stare at it for a moment, before I ask, “Tamryn, do you know how to write any words other than your name?”
She chews her lip, then shakes her head slowly.
“Dammit,” Claren sighs.
“But she understands us.” Blossom scowls at him. “Just ask her yes or no questions. She can still communicate.”
“You’re right.” Claren sucks in a breath. “I wanted to be more tactful about this, but I have to know.” My heart stutters. “Is Maeve alright?”
I frown. “Claren…” But he ignores me, focusing on the girl.
Tamryn looks close to tears. Her hands ball into fists in her lap.
“Is that a no?” Claren croaks.
She shakes her head furiously.
“So she’s well?” he gasps.
She doesn’t nod, just stares at my sisters and me with watery eyes, as if begging for help.
Blossom swoops in. “I think that’s enough questioning for today.
” She returns the quill to its holder and guides Tamryn out of her seat.
“Claren, your niece is a talented artist. Perhaps you could arrange for an easel and some paints to be delivered to her room? Tamryn can give you more paintings when she’s ready. ”
He nods sheepishly. “Of course. I’ll see to it now.” He scurries out of the library before we can say goodbye, his face as grave as Tamryn’s.
“Are you alright?” I ask her. “I’m sure he didn’t mean to upset you.”
She shrugs, nodding once.
Eden rubs her shoulder, bringing Pumpkin close enough to lick Tamryn’s arm. “Let’s look at books together. I’m sure we can find some artsy ones with pictures in them.”
Tamryn gives her a small smile, and they head off towards the aisles. Before I can join them, Blossom snatches my wrist.
“Not so fast.” She drags me back.
I glare at her, but then my gaze softens. Her usually perfect curls are misshapen, and there are shadows under her eyes. Judging by the anger in her stare, it’s more than just the demon castle that’s been keeping her up.
“We need to talk.” She folds her arms. “Eden and I can’t stay here for much longer. We need to go home. All of us,” she grumbles. “Have you come up with an escape plan yet?”
“Shh.” I tug her towards a private reading alcove. “I’m still working on it.”
Back in the forest, I’d whispered to my sisters that I’d go home with them, back to our real home in Father’s palace, but I also said I needed more time to escape from Tauren.
I know he didn’t hear me, because if he did, I’m sure he would’ve made good on his threat to collar me naked to his bedchamber by now.
A blush covers my face at the thought. Thankfully there aren’t enough candles in this alcove for Blossom to notice. “I think I’m going to make a deal with him,” I tell her.
“A deal?” she scoffs. “This is the same demon who kidnapped you and forced you to marry him. You really think he’s going to be open to a deal?”
“Keep your voice down.” My eyes dart around the library. “I think he’ll consider it, yes.” What exactly I’ll offer him, I don’t know yet. But there must be some arrangement he’ll accept. “He… he likes me.”
“Do you like him?” Her eyes narrow.
“What? No. Of course not,” I huff.
“You called him sweet back in Lord Elheart’s palace.”
I laugh. “He is sweet. Sometimes.” He can also be cruel, calculating, possessive… I blush again.
Blossom shakes her head. “He’s a demon, Dahlia. A monster. You can’t fall in love with a monster.”
I want to ask her why ever not, when footsteps make our heads turn. A servant approaches us with a silver tray of chocolates. My mouth waters as he presents us with the tray, dipping his horned head.
“Lord Tauren has arranged a feast to begin at midmoon to welcome home his niece,” he explains, rising from his bow.
“Princess Blossom and Princess Eden are invited to join the festivities in the banquet hall, while Princess Dahlia is expected to attend a private feast with his Lordship in the conservatory.” There’s an envelope on his tray addressed to all three of us, which I help myself to along with a handful of chocolates.
Caramel-centred truffles. When they hit my tongue I almost moan.
“Thank you.” I grin at the servant. “Leave the tray, please.” He obliges before disappearing with a bow, while I rip open the cream envelope.
Blossom eyes the chocolates suspiciously.
“They’re definitely poisoned.” I help myself to another handful. “And they’re all coffee flavoured,” I lie. “You wouldn’t like them.”
Blossom rolls her eyes before popping one into her mouth. “Stars… these are divine!”
“And they’re also mine.” I take a seat in an armchair, sliding the tray into my lap. “Get your own demon husband.”
She scoffs, but manages to pinch another chocolate anyway. “What’s in the envelope?” Chewing, she takes the seat beside me.
“Looks like an invitation.” I unfold the paper to reveal a gold-foiled invitation to a garden party. “To celebrate the safe return of Lord Tauren’s beloved wife Princess Dahlia,” I read out loud.
“Seems like he’ll be very open to letting you leave him,” Blossom says sarcastically.
“The party is in two nights.” I nod, folding up the invitation. “Give me until then to reason with him. Then, if he still won’t let me go, we’ll escape together after the party.”
She arches a brow. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.” I pop the last chocolate into my mouth.
Caramel bursts in my mouth, melting over my tongue.
But it’s not enough to overpower the bitter thoughts in my mind.
Like, would it be so bad to stay married to a monster?
And why have I felt more at home in a castle full of demons than I ever felt in Father’s palace?