Page 29 of Ellie and the Prince
“She must have returned by now. Would you go and see while I clean this floor?”
“Why not?” Briar smiled, bowed, and walked away.
Ellie looked after him for a moment, frowning. Few royals possessed magic these days. She couldn’t help liking him, yet she did not think he was a person she should fully trust. But then, what boy that good-looking ever was trustworthy?
Giving her head a little shake, she entered the ballroom. Cinder sprites squeaked from the cages in the corner. “Good evening, squeakers,” she said, infusing her voice with happiness. “I hope you enjoyed being served by a prince all day.” After checking on them, she switched on a few lights in places that didn’t get natural light from the windows, took a broom and mop from the janitor’s closet, and pulled out her cleaning-fluid spray bottle. Either Briar or the brownies had cleaned the floor already, but nothing eliminated a sulphur stink like her herbal spray. She mentally infused it with the scent of a mountain breeze and set to work.
When the polished ballroom floor reflected the evening’s last rays of sunlight and the domed ceiling, she stopped, leaned on her mop’s handle, and surveyed her handiwork. Often, while working, she forgot to notice the beauty surrounding her.
Faraway Castle was truly a worthy setting for its noble and royal guests. She could easily imagine royal balls held in this room, balls hosted by a great king, long departed. The guests would have danced to the polonaise and mazurka in huge hoop skirts. Or was the castle that old? She knew little about its history, and no one else seemed to know more.
She turned around and nearly screamed. A huge, hulking figure loomed from a shadowy corner. “Oh! Gamekeeper, I did not hear you arrive.” No surprise there. He walked with the stealth of a panther.
“I entered only a moment ago.” His deep voice was quiet, yet it seemed to shake the floor. He wore a hooded cape that entirely concealed his face, of which Ellie had occasionally caught glimpses and knew better than to attempt a clearer look. She was content to remain ignorant.
“Where is your wagon parked?” she asked.
“A young prince advised me to park it beside that door.” He pointed to the delivery service entrance. “He told me you were here. I stopped by your cottage first and loaded up the sprites and imps. Are these cages ready to go?”
“Yes sir. I caught these sprites this morning. The big male went ember, but he seems to be recovering well.”
The idea of this huge creature entering her locked cottage with no effort and removing her creatures was disconcerting, but there was nothing she could do about it except be grateful that he was benevolent.
She thought she had concealed her thoughts, but his hooded head tilted slightly. “I did not enter your home,” he said.
She ducked her head. “Thank you, sir.” She should have known. His magic skills were beyond anything she could guess, and during the three years she had worked for this mysterious personage, not once had he given her cause to doubt his integrity.
The Gamekeeper bent over the cages on the ballroom floor. “They look healthy and well fed. I will not disturb them now. I tend to frighten other creatures at first.”
Ellie did not doubt it. He had many characteristics of a predator. His gloves could not completely hide the sharp claws within, and his feet, though booted just now, were large and wide.
“I will carry them out,” she offered.
“I can help.” Briar walked across the ballroom floor from the main hallway. “I met the Gamekeeper near the director’s office and told him what I know of today’s events.”
He sounded so nonchalant that Ellie gave him a close look. Encountering someone like the Gamekeeper should affect any normal person. Briar’s eyes looked wide, yet he maintained an outward show of unconcern. Bravado, perhaps.
“Has Madame returned?” Ellie asked, handing him two cages.
“Not yet,” the Gamekeeper answered for him. “I will speak with her soon.”
No more needed to be said. Ellie well knew that her supervisor could handle the sirens, the director, the lake monster, or any other issue or entity that might arise.
Briar and Ellie carried cages out to the wagon, leaving their arrangement to the Gamekeeper. Ellie avoided looking at her mysterious supervisor more often than necessary, so she wasn’t certain whether he did this manually or with magic. The wagon itself seemed solid. Or was it? She couldn’t be sure.
As they brought out the last three cages, the Gamekeeper said, “Prince Briar told me of yesterday’s encounter with the unicorn. Have you any details to add?”
“One of the men spoke of hunting the unicorn,” Ellie said. “I informed him that magical creatures are off limits to guests, but I’m not sure he will respect the rules. He showed no respect for me, that’s certain.”
“The unicorn eluded me today,” the Gamekeeper said. “Wild unicorns fear me, which complicates the situation. I will return soon to seek it again.”
“Do you want me to search for it?” Ellie asked. The idea frightened her, for she knew nothing about unicorns, but she was willing to try.
“Only in an emergency. And I will not hold you accountable for injured guests. Enforcing resort rules is the director’s job.”
“But what about the unicorn’s safety?” Ellie asked.
“If you believe the unicorn is in imminent danger, contact me immediately, then do your best to protect it without risking your own safety. Although I appreciate your willingness to serve anywhere at the resort, your official position is Controller of Magical Creatures. If anyone disputes your authority or attempts to prevent you from serving as you see fit, I will intervene on your behalf.” His deep voice was grave and authoritative. “Do you understand?”
