Marlo, Hebitha Bones’s cat, was pampered, spoiled, and sneaky. He was with her nearly everywhere she went—though not by his own choice. His yellow eyes constantly scanned his surroundings, ever vigilant for a timely escape from his doting mistress. Mally was impressed by the number of times Marlo had snuck away from his mistress’s clutches. And she knew just how many times he had escaped, because the whole castle was called to a screeching halt if Madame Bones realized her precious ‘fluffy poo’ was missing. All servants were put on alert and had to stop any and all activities until Marlo was safely returned. Even the knights weren’t left out of the fun. Mally thought she would crack a rib from stifling her laughter when she saw Madame Bones informing Sir Alexander Vinsus not to leave any stone unturned in his search for her cat. Vinsus looked torn between the desire to slap the woman and incredulous disbelief, but she simply patted his elbow and shuffled off for tea. Molick looked sick anytime he saw Madame Bones. But Sir Brian and a handful of other knights put on a delightful show, trying to track down Marlo. And the servants all found Madame Bones highly entertaining, especially when they spotted a cursing Gibbs on his hands and knees, peering under couches.

“How does she get away with it?” Mally asked Lita quietly as they carried tea and sandwiches to one of the parlors.

“You mean why do the knights not kill her?” Lita asked, grinning. “Your guess is as good as mine. But I think King Salir has a hand in it.”

“You think he’s told everyone to do what she says?”

“I think he’s told the knights to humor her,” said Lita. “The knights seem to be able to beat up, kill, or imprison everyone else they meet on the street,” Lita explained. “But the nobles are an exception. King Salir is very serious about it. He likes being all diplomatic to them.”

“Maybe he thinks the nobles wouldn’t mess with any rebellion if they’re being taken care of,” Mally mused.

“Maybe,” Lita agreed. Then she chuckled. “Or maybe he just likes watching the knights twitch every once and a while. I sure do.”

They entered the south-facing parlor where a group of chatting women sat around a circular table in spindly chairs. Among them were Madame Bones and Cayla Black. Suddenly remembering that Cayla and Nanette had talked about her last night, Mally smiled at Cayla before setting down a tray of small sandwiches.

“Mally Biddle?” Cayla asked.

“Yes,” Mally replied.

“I’ve been told you are the newest member of the castle,” said Cayla smiling. “I hope Meriyal hasn’t been working you too hard.”

Mally grinned and passed a tea cup to the Countess of Silverton.

“Biddle—it isn’t a very common name is it?” Cayla continued, accepting a sandwich from Lita. “I only ask because I once knew a Biddle.”

“My mother’s name is—was,” Mally quickly clarified, “Susie.” At the slight frown that marred Cayla’s brow, Mally added, “She died when I was twelve.”

“My deepest apologies.”

Mally nodded in gratitude before passing sugar to Madame Bones, but out of the corner of her eye, she couldn’t help but wonder if Cayla believed her. The curious frown had not left her face.

“Greetings, ladies,” a pleasant voice suddenly issued from the open doorway. Mally turned and saw King Salir stroll into the parlor. The women all welcomed him graciously and Madame Bones spoke quickly.

“Your Highness, I hope you bring me good news about the whereabouts of my Marlo?” Her drooping eyelashes fluttered in worry.

“I am sorry to say, Madame, that Marlo is still unaccounted for,” King Salir replied with a cheerful smile, “but you have my assurances he will be found.”

“Oh, dear, I do worry so,” admitted Madame Bones as she took another slice of cake.

King Salir’s mouth twitched.

“I’m sure Madame,” he replied, his eyes dancing with what Mally suspected was mirth.

Cayla glanced at Mally and flashed a smile of exasperation. Mally exchanged a look with Lita and they both giggled. They picked up their empty trays, curtsied and headed for the door.

“Let me help you,” said King Salir, moving quickly to the door. He opened it and stepped aside, holding it for them. He smiled and nodded to them as they passed.

Mally and Lita deposited their load in the kitchen and, as the day was Thursday, Mally said goodbye to Lita and left the castle on her weekly trip into Bosc. It was the first time she had visited Sam since Bob’s imprisonment and she couldn’t help but feel that the stable was horribly wrong without him. His stable hands were taking very good care of the horses, but Mally kept turning her head, hoping to see Bob limping up to her, praising fine Sam.

Once Mally had walked Sam about the fenced-in meadow and brushed his coat, she left the stable feeling miserable. How much longer were they going to keep Bob? No matter how many meals Meriyal, Mildred, and Evelyn took him, he wasn’t healthy enough to spend weeks in the dungeons. Mally wished she could see him herself, but Meriyal was strict about that. Even Mildred—sweet, doting, Mildred—refused to give Mally the location to the passage into the dungeons.

As Mally slowly walked down the muddy road away from Bob’s stable toward the main streets, her mind full of nervous worry, she glanced up and saw—to her surprise—Ivan and Galen rushing toward her. Mally stopped in her tracks, the toes in her boots getting cold from the sludgy snow.

“I was hoping to catch you today,” said Ivan once he and Galen had reached her.

“You’ve heard about Bob?” Galen asked, focusing on her face.

“Yes,” said Mally.

It was clear that Galen wanted to say something else, but Ivan spoke before he could.

“Don’t do anything rash.”

Mally’s eyebrows rose.

“And what do you mean by that?” she asked.

“If you try to get him out of the dungeons, you’ll be caught and that won’t help anyone.”

Mally was on the verge of snapping back, but Galen intervened.

“Cian and Adam have been asking for a report. How are things going with—” Galen glanced around them “—with you know what?”

Mally felt herself blush. What with the Winter Ball and worrying about Bob, she hadn’t thought once about the princess. Her guilty expression sent Ivan into a furious scowl.

“You haven’t done anything?” he demanded.

“I’ve been busy,” Mally countered.

“Busy?” Ivan scoffed. “What—with washing sheets? Pouring tea? Mally, this is important!”

“I haven’t just been washing sheets!” Mally yelled heatedly. She wanted to kick him! All he ever wanted was information for his stupid plan! He wasn’t any different from any other noble, or as a matter of fact, from any knight! He took her for granted. He scoffed at her servant duties. What did he think she did all day long? Pick at her toenails?!

Growling in fury, she pushed past him and Galen. She didn’t look back and only hurried her pace when she heard quick footsteps behind her.

“Mally—Mally wait!”

Mally raised her chin and marched on, ignoring Galen.

“Mally!” He grabbed her elbow and Mally snatched it away.

“Don’t touch me!”

Galen looked at her so startled that some of the anger in her turned to embarrassment.

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” said Galen. “But Cian and Adam wanted to know … I had to ask.”

“I know,” Mally agreed miserably. She realized that Ivan had not run after her and that she and Galen were quite alone on the muddy road. “It would be nice to have some understanding and appreciation from him. That’s all.”

“He’s feeling pressured,” Galen explained.

“Well, I haven’t learned anything and I’m sorry,” Mally replied, her anger getting away from her.

“You don’t have to apologize to me,” said Galen calmly. “I understand how busy and stressed you are.” His eyes softened. “How is Bob?”

“I don’t know,” she said, her voice cracking. “I’ve been told he’s all right, but I don’t know how much longer he can safely stay there.”

“They’ll let him go.”

Horrified, Mally realized she had tears in her eyes. She averted her face from Galen, embarrassed, wiping them away.

“It’s so stupid,” she said bitterly. “A week or maybe more for breaking into a bell tower?”

“It’s power,” said Galen simply. “Bob was just trying to take some of that power back by breaking in.”

“He was stupid.”

“He was brave.”

Mally looked at Galen and smiled.

“Yes … yes, he was,” she agreed softly.

Galen smiled gently in return and nodded at the numerous empty bags hanging limply from Mally’s shoulders.

“Would you like some company while you shop?”

.

Mally was surprised when Madame Bones and Cayla Black left the following morning. They had given no warning that they would be leaving early—there was still another day left of the ball. There was no possible way she would get any information now, Mally fumed silently, as she watched Madame Bones’s carriage being loaded. Marlo had tried to make another mad escape, but his mistress had caught him mid leap and he was now clutched tightly to her breast.

“The rest will be gone by tomorrow afternoon,” said Meriyal. She stood beside Mally on the front steps, watching Nathan and Christopher strap down the trunks.

“What makes you say that?” asked Mally in surprise.

“Hebitha makes all the others feel cowardly. She doesn’t do it on purpose, bless her. She just doesn’t see anything or anyone as a threat. She’s like a child. And that makes the other nobles feel uncomfortable, being terrified of the knights when she clearly isn’t. So they stay and try to appear casual and nonchalant during the ball, but once Hebitha Bones’s carriage is through the gates, they drop the pretense and run out of here faster than you can say-say-say-” Meriyal quickly drew out a handkerchief as she sneezed violently. “Almond toffee,” she finished weakly.

Mally patted Meriyal on the shoulder sympathetically.

“We’ll get the fur up, don’t worry,” she assured her.

.

True to Meriyal’s word, by lunch the next day, the castle was strangely empty. All the guests had departed. Mally was surprised by how quiet the corridors were. That night, looking forward to a nice, restful sleep with no interruptions, Mally climbed under her covers and immediately drifted off.

The sound of a bell rang, but it came from over Gerda’s bed, so groaning slightly, Mally rolled onto her side and fell asleep again. If Gerda wanted someone to accompany her, she could ask Lita. Some time later, another bell tinkled, this time above Mally’s head. Pulling the covers over her head, Mally tried to ignore the incessant ringing. Gritting her teeth, she expelled an exasperated sigh. So much for an uneventful night, she thought waspishly. She yanked the covers back and glared at the bell above her headboard. It came from the northwest wing. Mally frowned. That wing held only guest chambers and they were all empty. There was no reason for anyone to be in that wing tonight. No reason for anyone to pull on a satin rope.

A bit nervous, but increasingly curious, Mally pulled on her dressing gown. She shot a glance at a snoring Lita. She should wake her. It was against Meriyal’s orders to see to summonings after dark alone now that the ball was over. But they were all so tired from the ball. And such a strange location had Mally wondering. Could she sneak up on a secret meeting? Maybe between knights? There were secrets in this castle. Perhaps she could finally give Ivan that information he was so desperate to have. But if she were about to overhear incriminating talk, then Lita would want to come.

Mally hesitated at Lita’s bed. It was stupid. It was risky. But she felt risky. The nervous tension in her chest about Bob was so terrible because she couldn’t do anything. She was stuck waiting and hoping. The thought of an exciting, dangerous night excursion made her ears ring. She wanted to do this alone.

Mally carefully crept past Lita’s bed and noticed that Gerda’s was still empty. Mally couldn’t judge how long it had been since Gerda’s bell had woken her.

Not bothering to light a candle—the moon was almost full and illuminated the long corridors nicely—Mally hurried down the halls to the northwest wing. Shadows from the towering statues and vases lining the corridors fell upon her as she walked. Many times her brain played tricks on her: she saw a hulking mass crouching along the wall—which on second glance, was just a large, round vase on a short table.

Mally neared the stairwell that led down to the northwest wing just as a nearby clock tolled the hour to the silent castle. Mally could faintly hear similar clocks echoing the chimes. Three in the morning. Perfect, Mally thought bitterly. Maybe she should just go back to bed. It was probably just a mouse playing with the satin rope.

No windows adorned the sides of the staircase, so the inky blackness of the long stairwell unnerved her to no end. Cursing herself for not bringing a candle, Mally ran her hand down the wall to her right, trying to find one of the numerous candles so that she could safely travel down the steps.

The hairs on the back of her neck raised sharply just as a strong pressure pushed against her back. With a startled gasp, she tumbled down the stairs, one after the other, until she landed in a painful heap, sprawled at the foot of the staircase.

She didn’t move. She didn’t wake up.