Page 6 of The Beauty and the Griffin

“Have you seen many magical creatures in the gardens?” My heart pounded in a confusing blend of anticipation and terror.

“Sure.”

“Unicorns?” I nearly whispered. “Real ones?”

“Not here in the city, but sometimes I see them in the mountains.” He looked smug. “They’re really shy though. Watch this.” Before I could question his odd statement, he turned, cupped his hands around his mouth, and gave a whoop.

A ripple appeared in the middle of the lake and approached with alarming speed. I backpedaled, tripped, and sat down hard on the sand just before a greenish-gray drippingthingrose from the water.

A little yelp escaped before I clapped my hand over my mouth.

The creature resembled a thick, slimy broken branch that had soaked in the lake for years and got covered in moss and weeds, but it had round yellow eyes and what looked like a horse’s nostrils. It opened its mouth, showing impossible teeth like an arsenal of curved daggers, and when Othniel flung a stick out into the lake, it turned around and chased it (nearly soaking me in the splash), brought it back, and begged him to throw it again, closing its jaws with alarming chopping sounds. “Beatrice,” Othniel said, grinning from ear to ear, “meet Bo.”

I couldn’t move, my gaze fixed on the nightmare creature.

But when those unblinking eyes met my gaze, I felt a rush of . . . hopefulness? My fear drained away, and I recognized a friend. “Hello, Bo.” The lake monster gave his head a shake, spattering water in all directions while the spines down his back clattered almost like music.

My tight lips softened into a smile, and I felt light enough to fly or sing . . . or even whirl and leap like a ballerina. Magic was thrilling! Sure, Othniel was old friends with the lake monster, but it liked me too. And a cinder sprite hadtalkedto me!

All too soon, Othniel thanked Bo for coming, and the friendly serpent-thing gave me another toothy grin and a nod before diving back into the lake. I watched the ripples spread before daring to meet Othniel’s gaze. He looked pleased. “You didn’t scream.”

I tilted my chin up. “Why would I scream?”

He blurted out a short laugh. “Because he terrified you. You’re really brave.”

I appreciated that he didn’t add “for a girl.” But just then my stomach growled.

“Oh no!” It had to be a long time since my cinnamon bun and tea. I must have missed all my morning activities, but I didn’t want him to know. “My grandaunt will be looking for me. I’ve got to go back to the rose garden.”

His brows rose, but he simply said, “I’ll escort you to where I found you. It’s easy to get turned around on these paths.”

My stomach clenched a little. “I hope Auntie isn’t worried.”

“You’ll be fine. Most magical gates like to mess with time.”

I really should have asked what he meant by that.

We soon passed the unicorn fountain, and the box hedge with the rose arbor came into sight far sooner than I’d expected. Maybe the garden wasn’t so large after all.

“Thank you for a fun day,” I said, turning to look up at my new friend.

He stared along the hedge, wearing an expression I couldn’t read, but then he turned to smile at me. “I’m awfully glad you came.” An instant later he looked away and stepped back, his face flushed like sunburn. “Come visit again, and I’ll take you swimming with Bo if you dress for it.”

If he could swim with that creature, so could I. With an eager nod, I said, “I’ll try to come back tomorrow.” When his face lit up, my heart gave a skip.

Then I shocked myself by standing on tiptoe and kissing his cheek, and he leaned down a little to let me. “Thanks for a fun morning.” Embarrassed, I rushed through the opening, and when I stopped to look back, I saw only rose bushes beyond the arbor. “See you tomorrow!” I called. He didn’t answer, but sometimes boys were funny that way. Maybe he was embarrassed too?

My first impulse was to tell Auntie about my adventure, but by the time I joined her group of old ladies, my steps began to drag. What if she disapproved of my friendship with a big boy?

ARABELLA

“She did it!”

“Do tell.” Pukai scrupulously avoided revealing emotion, so the slight hitch in her breath and twitch of a brow delighted me.

I paced across the cave’s uneven floor, feeling deservedly smug. “This morning, I gave her opportunity to explore the resort gardens, like we discussed, and I’m positive it worked. Most days, she tells me everything she experiences in fine detail. But today, she ran up to me and apologized for being gone for so long. Nothing more. And when I told her she still had plenty of time to explore, her eyes went very wide. As you no doubt recall, this morning was overcast and misty, but Beatrice came back sunburned, and her clothes were damp and sandy.”

Pukai’s brow twitched again. “How long was she gone?”

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