Page 41 of Royal Resistance

“I see a bit of light ahead,” she says instead. If I hadn’t shone the flashlight up when I glanced behind me, we would have missed the thin strands of light outlining the door.

“Kitchen.” And yes, it’s a bit of a relief as I push open the door. The dark can be a lot.

“Is anyone in there?” she whispers, her voice warm on the back of my neck. She’s very close to me.

“I don’t think so.”

The sudden brightness makes me blink, even though there are only a few lights left on. The door opens between the pantry and the fireplace, and the warmth of the fire, stocked for the night, is very welcoming.

“I’ve never been in here,” Selene says as we step out. I’ve always loved the castle kitchens—the friendliness of the staff, the smells of warm bread and cookies, the clanking and clattering of the pots and pans.

No one is here now. We’ve been alone for longer than I expected.

“Make sure the door is shut. I don’t want Peanut to get into the tunnels. He’ll be lost for days.”

“I don’t think Peanut has made it to the kitchen,” Selene says as she pushes it shut.

“Oh, I think Peanut has made it around the whole castle,” I say ruefully.

“You really don’t like my cat, do you?”

“No, it’s more that I think your cat really doesn’t like me. I want to show you one more thing, if you have time.”

“What else would I rather be doing?”

The warmth in her voice, even after the cat comment, makes me turn and look at her.

Selene is smiling.

Her lips curve up, full, rosy lips. She has tiny creases around her blue eyes when she smiles, and I can’t help but think they’ll deepen as she gets older.

With me. She’s going to get older with me.

It’s a surprisingly comforting thought.

“I don’t know,” I admit, wrenching my gaze away from her mouth before it gets weird. “Sleep? It’s been a long day.”

I just made it weird. Too late, I realize that mentioning sleep might make it awkward. Because sleep, going to bed, means going to bed with me. Lying awake, staring at the ceiling with me.

“I would love for you to show me one more thing,” Selene says in her quiet voice and makes it better.

I wonder if she can make everything better.

“Okay. Okay, good. It’s this way.”

She takes my hand again.

I lead her through the kitchens, down a short hallway to a door that leads outside. “This goes to the gardens,” I tell her.

“I’ve seen the gardens. Bob England gave me a tour.”

“You haven’t seen them at night.”

I hear her sharp intake of breath as we step outside, and she looks around.

The gardens themselves are beautiful any time of the day, with the clean rows of vegetables, the fragrant herbs, and so many flowers. The roses especially, bloom later and longer than any other place in Laandia for some reason.

I have no idea why. I’m sure Bob would know.