Page 70 of Sharpen Your Claws

The bridge of Charmaine’s nose wrinkled. “Hill Castle has moods?”

“Of course.”

“Nicholas, I’ve said it before and I must say it again. You need to learn to explain things,” William muttered, and never received a better explanation.

Facing them, Laurent held out a graceful hand. “Welcome to Hill Castle.”

“We appreciate that you guided us here yourself, Lord Darkmoon,” Henry said. “Charmaine will surely recover much quicker under the protection of Hill Castle.”

Laurent gave a short-lived and contrived smile, then descended the rolling hills. Nicholas held William’s hand tighter, worried about what awaited them. Hill Castle had love for its inhabitants, even his annoying siblings, as it remembered all of them as infants. On days when his nursemaids were disinterested in him, Hill Castle rocked his cradle or offered the sweet aroma of flowers to drift him into blissful sleep. The castle wouldn’t want to cause harm, but if Laurent ordered it to, it would obey.

Hill Castle didn’t have a door until Laurent approached. The vines separated to form a doorway that swung open, leading into a warm foyer lit by crooked chandeliers constructed of the same thorns as the exterior. Their pointed tips burned bright, causing the air to have a slightly burnt smell. A set of double stairs curved upward and two halls ran next to them. Another set of doors appeared beneath the stairs, firmly shut. The floors were bare dirt. Various tapestries and paintings covered the facade, though they sat lopsided against the thorns. It was certainly nothing like the king’s castle, and yet, held its own elegant beauty that put an especially enormous smile on Nicholas’ face.

“There are rooms to your left.” Laurent gestured to the hall that turned sharply in a dozen steps. “Make yourselves comfortable. A servant will find you for supper.”

With that, Laurent disappeared into the doors beneath the stairs. Upon his departure, the group released a deep breath in near perfect unison. Evera sat Charmaine on her feet where she leaned against Evera’s arm, eyes droopy but aware and watchful.

“We should rest in case Laurent has anything unpleasant planned for us,” said Evera.

“For the lot of you,” Arden corrected. “I could take my leave.”

Nicholas smiled sickly sweet. “He already views you as a part of our group, so risk it, if you would so like.”

Arden clicked his tongue. “Curses.”

Laurent had nothing good planned. He assured himself he would fight against Laurent if he must, but then he thought of sinking beneath the floor. All the dark crevices far below reeking of rot and decay where Laurent would push and push until Nicholas’ panic made him nothing more than a whimpering mess. He would claw and tear and kick in his cocoon of roots and bones, pleading to be given fresh air while his lungs collapsed.

Lips fell on his cheek. Nicholas woke from his trance with a start. The group had taken the hall, but William lagged. He stood with Nicholas, his lips still brushing against his cheek.

“I fear I am nothing against Laurent, but should he try to harm you, I will put up an annoying fight,” said William with a sweet smile.

Nicholas chuckled, his worries having lightened. He pressed their foreheads together, taking in William’s scent. He still smelled so strongly of disinfectant, but somehow that brought Nicholas joy.

“I wouldn’t want you to put yourself in harm’s way, but I appreciate the sentiment,” he said before a kiss. They lingered there, enraptured by the other’s presence. “Stay close to me. I fear what he has planned.”

“Whatever it may be, we will face it together.” William went after the others, who took the corner of the hall.

The two of them caught up, overhearing Charmaine say groggily, “I don’t know if rest will do us any good. We’re in his castle in his territory. How can we be expected to sleep?”

“It sounds like you will have no issue sleeping,” said Evera, having become Charmaine’s walking stick. Nicholas expected Evera to play her pranks, to release Charmaine so she’d stumble, but the fae kept a firm hold on her. He found it odd.

“If I sleep, it will be a restless one from illness and fear.” Charmaine stumbled when Evera came to a stop. The fae settled a hand on Charmaine’s back to steady her.

A door greeted them, thus telling them which room was to be used. Henry opened the first hesitantly, peeking in like a rabbit searching for a fox. Then he waltzed inside the autumn room, where two wide beds settled against the far wall. Windows rose high on either side, crooked and without glass. One bed made for two while the other two were smaller. Hill Castle even summoned a dining set of four chairs.

“It seems four of you are expected to rest here,” said Nicholas proudly. He knew the castle would be on his side. “Evera, Charmaine, Arden, and Henry, enjoy your room.”

“But there are only three beds,” said Henry incredulously. “Well, I can take the floor.”

Hill Castle groaned. Vines breached the soil to swat at his ankles. Henry yelped and stumbled until he fell onto the smaller bed. The vines waited, daring him to leave, but he kicked off his shoes and brought his feet onto the mattress.

“I will sleep here, it seems,” he half said, half asked.

The vines turned their attention to Arden, who took the second small bed without issue. He fell onto the mattress and shut his eyes.

“Then Charmaine and Evera can have the large bed,” Nicholas said, or rather, Hill Castle did, and he went along with its whims.

“Can’t the magical castle conjure another bed?” Charmaine glanced at William like he could help.

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