Page 67 of Once Upon an Enchanted Castle

Sunlight seeped around the edges of the boarded window. She sat upright, the book that was on her chest falling to the floor with a thump. The candles she had burned were down to nothing but nubs and snuffed out of their own accord.

But she had made progress. The book revealed one more line to her.

The final form shall take root.

The final form must refer to the beast form. Leopold would forever be a beast when the sky was blind, and the stars did not shine.

A swift knock on the library door sounded. She stiffened and waited as the door opened a moment later and Gerald stood there gaping at her.

“Miss?”

“Oh, is it morning already?”

She gave a yawn and a stretch, pretending as though she merely fell asleep reading. She reached down and picked up the fallen book, closing it with a snap. It was the book about celestial events. She tucked it in her arm, holding it.

“Did you sleep here?”

“Yes, I suppose I did. I was exhausted when I returned yesterday. I must have fallen asleep reading.”

It was, after all, the truth.

She forced a smile and cut a glance to the cursed book, now closed, still on the writing desk. Rising, she stepped casually toward the desk and picked it up along with the parchment with her notes. She held it in her arms along with the book on celestial events.

“What time is it?” she asked.

“Half-past eight, miss.”

Oh, gods. She missed the carriage. “I’m late.”

She hurried past Gerald. He said something about breakfast, but she wasn’t interested. She needed to change her dress and get to town, hoping Leopold’s carriage was still there waiting for her. If he wasn’t…she didn’t know how she would find her way to the shadowy castle.

Emmaline was coming out of Bella’s room when she bound up the stairs.

“There you are, miss. I was looking for you.” Her gaze flickered up and down her. “You’re still wearing yesterday’s gown?”

“Yes, and I need you to help me change. Quickly.”

Emmaline followed her into her room. Bella tossed both books on her still made bed. She kicked off her shoes. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror on her dressing table and halted. She hardly recognized herself. Deep shadows lay under her eyes. Her face was lined with fatigue. Sprigs of hair sprung from the side of her head. Her perfect chignon was untidy. In a frenzy, she tugged the hairpins from her hair, dropping them on the table.

Emmaline was at her wardrobe pulling out a pale blue dress.

“You’re leaving again today?” the girl asked.

“I have to. I must.” She pulled her fingers through her tangled hair.

When she looked at Emmaline, she saw the worry on the girl’s face. Then her gaze flickered to the book resting on the bed.

“It’s that book, isn’t it?”

“What about the book?” Bella tried to make it sound as though it was nothing special, nothing important.

“You’ve never let it out of your sight since the night of the fire.”

Bella gaped at her. What could she say to that? She was right, of course. She had carried it with her almost everywhere. Emmaline’s gaze met hers.

“What is it?”

“A translation. Nothing more.” The words rushed out of her. She tried her best to make it sound as though it was nothing more than an ordinary book. “Help me with the dress, Em.”

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