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Chapter 8: His New Personal Attendant

*Ciana*

“Wait for me!”

My new friend, the python, led me along winding paths, through beautiful trees with green, vibrant leaves, and enchanting gardens the likes of which I’d not seen closer to the main castle.

The colors were more vivid, the blooms in shades of purple and red that shimmered in the sun like gemstones, and the scents that filled my lungs were intoxicating. I felt like I was in a fairy tale.

It was so worth it to skip meeting the king. Instead of trying to please the two dreadful royals, I was able to experience this lovely place instead. I couldn’t help but smile to myself-it was certainly the right decision.

After half an hour of meandering about, I began to see a structure in the distance, rising up out of the ground like a beacon of enchantment. Wooden and weathered, it appeared as if it had been standing there keeping careful watch over these parts for many years, and since the python was slithering right toward it, I began to understand that this was where we were headed.

“Do you want to show me what’s hiding there?” I asked him.

He turned and looked at me, his eyes still gleaming, and his fork tongue flicked a response I had to assume was an

affirmative.

I continued to follow him toward the hexagon-shaped building, and before we arrived I realized it was a pavilion, a place where one was meant to sit and enjoy the beauty of nature that inhabited this place.

I wondered how many people had ever had a chance to visit here. With it nestled in the heart of the prince’s private courtyard, it was not easily obtainable to just anyone.

The python glided up the stone path, right to the opening, and then lingered on the steps, waiting for me to come in.

I hesitated. Just because Prince Theo assigned me to care for his animals in his zoo, that didn’t mean he’d approve of me taking liberties with the rest of his territory.

Yet, no one was around, and I couldn’t see the harm in just peeking my head in. If someone did come near, I could always tell them that I’d followed the python inside and wanted to make sure he wasn’t causing any problems.

Tentatively, I climbed the three steps that led to the open door. Inside, plenty of plush seating invited one to sit and relax while listening to the sounds of the birds chirping in the trees, the animals playing in the distance, and the soft buzz of

insects.

If the prince truly enjoyed visiting this place, perhaps he and I had more in common than I ever would’ve imagined.

I wasn’t sure how to digest that thought. The Dark Prince was cold and cruel, and I had never thought of myself even a tiny bit as either of those things.

knew them.

down and stroked his head. “Thank you for sharing this place with me. You’re a

called something other than just ‘the python.’ Do you have

way of communicating that name with me. Tapping my chin, wondered

suit him either. Studying his face, I thought, “You

head at me, and I decided from now

the wood, but then, I noticed that Pete had nudged against a panel in the wall, and a door

a circular stairwell made of iron that led up in

at the ceiling, I noted that it was much lower inside than

be a second story.

want me to go up?” I asked Pete, but by then, he was

one was nearby

before me was a greenhouse built into the top of the pavilion. It was unrecognizable from the ground level,

other plants were grown.

as he crossed into the space. The scent of fresh earth filled my

curious about them. They looked delicious, plump and dark purple,

heard something downstairs. Inhaling deeply, I held my breath and pressed my ear against the wooden floor, trying my best to listen and praying that it was just my imagination and I wasn’t about to be caught

ears, and I closed my eyes, shaking my head

to come in here. I can protect

288 Wauchoze,

this is a matter I can handle on my

recognize that voice anywhere.

King Sebastian himself! “I’m not frightened of your animals. I might be older than I was when my wolf used to fight on the battlefield,

in the world was

a finger to my lips, silently begging

anyway?” Prince Theo muttered just at the bottom of the stairs.

heard the royal father and son begin to climb the stairs, my

to be so curious? It always got me into trouble. And I already had so many strikes against me. What was more, I might have

name was Perceval, apparently, and not Pete, though I thought

thumbs up, I

the need to come up the stairs. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself and prayed

L