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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.

his head. “Thank you

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

name with me. Tapping my chin,

Studying his face, I thought, “You look like a Pete. Pete the Python!” His eyes lit up and his grin widened. “May

snake bobbed his head at me, and I decided from now on, that’s what I

intricate carvings in the wood, but then, I noticed that Pete had nudged against a panel

made of iron that

was much lower inside than it appeared to be outside and

be a second story.

asked Pete, but by then, he was

looked around to make sure that no one was nearby before

top of the pavilion. It was unrecognizable from the ground level,

other plants were grown.

feet started moving forward behind Pete as he crossed into the space. The scent of fresh earth filled

way, I saw a variety of berries and was immediately curious about them.

approach them when I 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 in Prince Theo’s

ears, and I closed my eyes, shaking my head in dread, because I recognized one of

really do not need to come in here. I can protect you from my animals to a

288 Wauchoze,

this is a matter I can

anywhere.

I heard an older voice say. Yes, it had to be 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, but I can defend myself, I assure you. Besides, I

world was he

the python, slithered near my feet. I held a finger

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

to climb the stairs, my heart nearly

did I have to be so curious? It always got me into trouble. And I already

python, whose name was Perceval, apparently, and not Pete, though I thought Pete suited him better, slithered off

thumbs up, I

need to come up the stairs. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself and prayed that this would all work out after

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