Page 98 of Bianca and the Monsters

We arrive at Clumberton Castle in less than a day. The steeds were kind and generous enough to continue the entire way with few breaks and no meditation time. For that, my gratitude invites me to a reckoning with how I’ve treated them. PrincessJerkfacehas her first royal assignment.

Upon descending the steps of the carriage, I immediately walk to the steed who lugged us all the way to the castle and back. Standing before his massiveness, I curtsy—awkwardly, but I hope I get points for effort. “Thank you so much. I’m sorry about before… I’m new, but that’s no excuse. Is there anything I can do to repay you for helping us?”

I realize now what I missed before, when all I saw were the steed’s terrifying and potentially deadly attributes. Now, I see kind eyes, filled with the same longing as every monster I’ve met.

The steed shifts his weight, seeming nervous ofme. “My Lady, just continue to see us—it’s the greatest and most powerful gift you can give any being.”

“I will—I promise—but could I also hug your head?”

His smile is a bit disconcerting—wow, Nico’s fangs are tiny in comparison—but I’m not backing down. “Yes, my Lady, it would be an honor.”

I lunge forward and hug his ginormous head. “Thank you,” I whisper and give him a pat on the neck, like he’s just a pony and I’m just a girl who loves ponies.

When I pull back, I notice my parents standing beside the carriage, while Archie and Remy prepare a gurney to carry Nico into the castle.

The last rays of sunshine hit the lavender roof, making it sparkle in a welcoming way. Bastien hurries to me and we follow Archie and Remy over the drawbridge and into the courtyard, my hand resting over my heart and Pennie. Four monsters and their Lady are finally home.

“We’ll wait up here,” my dad calls from the entry, already knowing where we’re heading and that the outcome is anything but certain.

“Thanks, Dad. We’ll let you know what happens.”

“We’re rooting for him, for you all.” My mother’s words are a bit smothered, which makes sense. Our future relationship is going to be a rocky nightmare if Nico doesn’t recover.

I throw back a dismissivethanksand never stop moving.

Remy and Archie carry Nico into Pennie’s glorious cavern, with Bastien and me on their heels. I feel Pennie practically pulsing as we enter this extraordinary place that’s exactly what heaven would look like if it had no windows.

Together, Remy and Archie lower the gurney onto the gem-laden floor beside the pool. Remy loiters for only a moment, already looking entirely out of place.

“I’ll be upstairs, but before I go, I want to apologize to all of you, but especially to you, Princess Bianca.”

I just nod. I don’t have the energy for civility right now.

Remy turns away, but then pauses. “I didn’t know how unworthy I am to be loved… I do now. I’ll work to rectify my failings.”

His bearing is so earnest that I throw him a bone. “There’s hope for us all, Remy. Thank you for everything you did to get us here, and also what youdidn’tdo that could have prevented our family from ever returning home.”

“Thank you, my Lady.” He walks with purpose up the stairs, shutting the door behind him.

I pat Pennie, a littlewelcome home. His song is a middle school marching band that ate too much candy—very jarring but also energizing.

I set my hand on Nico’s leg and reach for Archie’s hand, while Bastien holds me. “We’re here and I think this will work, but if it doesn’t, we’ll figure out another way to heal Nico and get Pennie back.”

“No one would bet against you, my Lady,” Archie says, his pride and love beaming as brightly as the jewels shimmering all around us.

I clap my hands together once. “Okay, let’s do this thing.”

Archie retrieves a vial from his pocket, given to him by my mother’s apothecary, and with Bastien’s help, drains it into Nico’s mouth. Nico flinches and moans, attacked at once by a mountain of pain.

“It hurts,” he mumbles. “The cloth.”

Touch is agony for him, the light sheet excruciating. I can’t imagine a future in which my touch—something he would never reject—brings torment. This has to work.

Nico’s song inside me is instantly soothing, soothingmenot himself. Pennie, in contrast, seems to have gotten hold of a trombone and is blowing that thing like his life depends on it.

“Pennie’s optimistic, likereallyoptimistic… bordering on excessively chipper.”

“You can feel him?” Nico and Archie ask together and I realize I’ve been unintentionally keeping secrets.

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