Page 45 of The Beauty and the Griffin

“How about if I say grace?” I offered.

Her stare lifted to my face. “You are weird.”

“Point granted.” I bowed my head, then asked aloud for protection and guidance, and gave thanks for the food and for those who’d provided it. When I looked up, Winifred’s gaze was lowered.

Aware of our invisible audience, I picked up my soup spoon and partook as I’d been taught by my etiquette tutor back in the day.

Winifred sprinkled vinegar over her fries, picked up half her sandwich with both hands, and ate without further ceremony. She even mopped her face now and then with her serviette.

My meal was mouth-watering, especially after days of processed sugar and oats. Courses presented themselves to me in succession, each excellent in its way, and after indulging in an exquisite custard tart and a tiny cup of rich coffee, I sat back in my chair with a sense of satisfaction, feeling not overly stuffed. “That was delicious. My compliments to the chef.”

I felt oddly certain that the message would be delivered, but Win gave me a cockeyed look. “The Beast wants us fat and tender, no doubt.”

My brows barely twitched. If she was determined to be rude and ungrateful, so be it.

She could be right.

But I didn’t think so. Rising, I carefully shrugged into my backpack, then strolled about the room. A sculpture displayed between two windows had been blocked from my view by the table’s magnificent floral centerpiece. I approached it to find a marble man and woman dancing. They were beautiful, more lifelike than most, gazing deep into each other’s eyes.

I knew it was only a piece of stone, yet my cheeks warmed as I remembered how I’d felt when I danced with Niel. No other man had ever made me feel that way.

My egg gave a jolt and lit up in a golden flash. At the same instant, I sensed . . . him.

“Gamekeeper? I whispered.

“Beatrice.” He was, as usual, shrouded in shadow, and I knew that only I could hear his dear voice. “You are welcome here.”

“You’re safe!” But my brain struggled to make sense of this. Why would the Gamekeeper be at the Forbidden Palace? Might he help us escape? Or was he trapped here too?

“Are you talking to yourself again?”

The instant Win spoke, I knew he was gone. I turned to see her sopping up vinegar with the last of her chips while squinting at me.

Without warning, the chandeliers dimmed and light from the hall beckoned.

18

BEATRICE

“Are you finished?” Iasked.

Win was at my side in a moment, wiping her mouth with one grimy sleeve. “I am now!”

Since we were obviously supposed to follow the light, I led the way. Earlier, in my first wonder at the magnificence of the Great Hall, I’d paid little attention to what lay in shadow at its distant far end. Now, as we left the dining hall, the light drew us toward a truly magnificent staircase.

On either side of the steps, intricately carved handrails rested upon marble bases that rose from the ground floor to the first-floor landing, then curved around to follow the banisters up to yet another floor. The balusters also appeared to be marble, and . . .

Had I seen something like this before? My brain was too fatigued to sort out when or where. After all, I’d seen dozens of palaces and castles and great houses while accompanying Eddi on social occasions. I slid my hand up the cool stone of the banister to the first floor, then followed the lights to our right. When two doors opened along the hall ahead, inviting us with warmth and welcome while the hall lights dimmed, I stopped outside the first doorway, feeling ready to drop.

Winifred took a peek, then rushed inside. “This one’s mine. You can have the next one.”

I nodded, rousing enough to peer past her. A fire crackled on the hearth of a spacious room decorated in pale green and gold. Despite its opulence, the chamber had a homey feel about it. Or maybe I simply felt safe because I knew the Gamekeeper was nearby.

Winifred returned to close the door, blocking my view with her body. “Maybe the Beast can’t enter the palace? Guess we’ll find out. Don’t forget to turn your egg.” The door shut in my face with a heavy thunk.

Well. If Miss Paranoid wasn’t worried, I certainly wouldn’t turn up my nose at a good night’s sleep. I was so beat that the next door looked miles away. But as soon as I stepped into the room, a sense ofdeja vousstopped me in my tracks, and I was wide awake.

By flickering firelight, the bed curtains glowed a deep gold and blue with richly colored embroidered designs. Everything coordinated, even the wallpaper and rugs. I had never been offered such luxurious accommodation during all my travels with Eddi.

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