e in days, Lia wo

floor where her bare feet touched down. The room was quiet, too quie

e note left o

house. Don't go bey

omething. More than she'd had since the moment she'd b

the velvet chair-light blue cotton, sleeveless.

er than she'd realized. Quiet elegance. Cream walls, long rugs, art she

wn a hallway when a

u're

urned

ng like Alexandre-his hair was sandy brown, skin golden like he'd seen more sun than

she said

friend. Old one. Don't worry, I don't bit

ed the sma

"Want the full castle tour

see the hous

right then. Com

-

table. The grand library that smelled like dust and secrets. The o

ut odd stories-like the oil painting in the west hall that apparently used to hang in a F

hed more

n, Pedro led her to a stone

re blooming. For a moment, it alm

after a while. "Not like this. He's private

idn't

't seen him this... territorial since he was sixte

im slowly. "Why

hat way. Their family's messed up. But it's not

Her hands twis

ot scared of h

edro replied softly. "He isn't the best person honestly, but

necessarily claim

iltered through the trees, d

w fell o

ve to look to

leave the grounds. I showed her the

a hand, calm. "T

ia a soft smile, and

t beside her

, neither of

asn't heavy. J

he garden?" he a

"It feels...

me here when my father was screaming in the halls. I think that's wh

at him. Re

e monster. He looked like a man who s

me walk around t

swer wa

risoner, Lia. You're jus

y. Her heart th

he silenc

te me today

iet. Then:

dded.

ok her hand, lacing his fingers

t t