“I’m sorry,” I say with a sob, and then I repeat it over and over.
“We’ve been so worried.” She’s crying as hard as I am. “Why, Anwen?”
The story comes tumbling out, and when I’m done, she looks ill. “The stone has been destroyed?”
I nod. She steps away and sits on a bench in the entry.
I kneel in front of her. “Is it true? Is Father cursed?”
Mother studies my face, and then she finally nods.
“What does he turn into?” I whisper.
She shakes her head as if she won’t tell me.
“Please.”
“He doesn’t want you to know. He’s so ashamed.”
I stand and turn away. “I want to see him.”
“You mustn’t.”
“Does he hate me?” Though it’s voiced at a whisper, the question seems to echo off the walls.
“No!” She rises from the bench. “Of course he doesn’t.”
I shake my head. “How can’t he?”
Mother narrows her eyes. “You’re his daughter. He loves you.” She blinks back more tears. “We love you.”
We fall silent. The only sound comes from a dog barking near the stables. Apparently, Pika has made a friend.
I hope she doesn’t eat him.
Mother sighs and turns to Galinor. “Please forgive me, I’m being a terrible hostess. I am Baroness Galia Millner.”
Galinor bows low. “Galinor of Glendon.”
“Let’s not linger in the hall.” Mother motions for us to follow her to a sitting area. Though it’s only cool outside, a fire has been lit, and it burns merrily in its grate.
Mother finds a chair by the fire, moving her embroidery from the cushion before she sits. “We were so relieved when we received Irving’s message.” Her eyes flicker to Galinor and then back to me, and she gives me a subtle, pointed look. “Where is Irving?”
“Marigold is visiting Prince Teagan in Glendon,” I answer. “Irving asked Galinor to escort me back.”
Or something like that.
Mother raises an eyebrow. I know what she’s thinking. Galinor’s a little too young and handsome to play the role of escort. “What family are you from, Galinor? Perhaps I know your parents.”
“I am the second born son of King Howell and Queen Penelope, Your Ladyship.”
Mother opens her mouth and then closes it. A smile spreads across her face. “Irving and Marigold are visiting your brother.”
Galinor smiles, flashing her with all his charm. “Yes, that’s right.”
She blinks at him, already won over. “Thank you for returning our daughter to us,” she says once she remembers her manners. “It would please us if you would stay with us for the night.”
Galinor begins to accept my mother’s offer but is cut short by a deep, bone-chilling cry from the rooms above us. Mother leaps from her seat and rushes out the door, calling her apologies over her shoulder.
