“Why not build within it?” I asked. “It is, after all, called ‘Underneath.’”
Ambrose chuckled. “They have. The bottom of the rift is home to many creatures that I doubt you would want to meet.”
When we finally made it to the other side, we stepped out of the coach with relief.
“Will you be wanting your usual room?” the servant asked.
“Yes,” Ambrose replied.
The servant glanced at me, addressing me for the first time. “And for you?”
“She’ll stay with me,” Ambrose said, before I could answer.
I looked down, avoiding his gaze. I didn’t feel like debating over where we would sleep tonight. We had been sharing a room for the past week. Plus, this city was notorious for its danger - possibly the most dangerous on the entire continent - and I didn’t want to be left alone to face the wrath of the Unseelie.
The servant beckoned us inside the massive castle, and my eyes traced the intricate carvings on the stone walls as we walked through dimly lit corridors. On the third floor, he stopped in front of a large, round-topped door. “The king has requested your presence in one hour.”
I frowned. One hour was hardly enough time to, not only rest, but discuss our next plans. Apparently, the king was eager to discuss business with The Dullahan, and my presence here didn’t change that.
The servant scurried off, and Ambrose opened the door to our room, ushering me inside. Velvet drapes kissed the floor with a regal elegance, and golden chandeliers overhead dripped with crystal, like frozen rain touched by Midas himself. It was as if the room breathed in wealth and exhaled extravagance.
And I didn’t care for any of it.
Ambrose closed the door behind us with a heavy snap, and I immediately rounded on him. My voice dripped with derision. “Am I allowed to speak now, your highness?”
He pulled off his mask, and rolled his eyes. “Would it matter if I said ‘no?’”
“Not at all,” I snapped. “What the fuck is going on?”
Shaking his head, he pressed his finger to his lips, then grabbed my hand and half dragged me behind him across the room. Out of habit more than fear, I resisted, digging my heels into the carpet. “What are you doing?”
“Shhh!”
Ambrose threw open a door to the attached bathing room, and pulled me inside. Like the bedroom, the bathing room was a luxurious space with polished marble floors and golden fixtures. The large shower stood in one corner, while a freestanding tub sat in the center of the room, beckoning me to soak in its depths.
Ambrose turned on both faucets, filling the room with the soothing sound of running water. “I forgot to tell you,” he hissed, looking furious with himself. “Within the lands of Underneath, King Gancanagh can hear anything you say after dark, and if he chooses, he can see you as well.”
I raised an eyebrow. “How is that possible?”
Ambrose shook his head. “I don’t truly know how he does it, but it’s quite disturbing to watch. His eyes roll into his head, and he can look upon anywhere within his kingdom.”
“Ah,” I said quickly. “Like Bael.”
“Shhh!” Ambrose hissed, glancing at the running faucets with apprehension. “Do not say his name. I doubt this is doing us much good as far as muffling our voices.”
Dread sank in my gut, at the realization that if the king could hear, and worse, see us, we would not be able to immediately go searching for the dungeon as I’d planned. “Then how are we going to discuss…” I searched my mind for words that wouldn’t give away exactly what I meant. “What we came here for?”
“The king’s power is strong, but it is limited only to the hours of darkness. Simply try to remember not to mention anything you would rather not overheard unless it is daylight.”
I nodded stiffly. “Fine.”
Ambrose relaxed slightly, a mirthless smile flickering at the edge of his lips. “There is one other thing. The very stones of this castle are mixed with Gancanagh’s dust. The dust is used here to neutralize magic within the castle’s walls. Except for the king, all magical abilities are rendered useless.”
My mind raced, piecing together the implications. The absence of our magic meant no premonitions to guide us. It also landed some much-needed clarity on how Bael and Scion could ever have been captured.
“Great,” I muttered, feeling as if a stone dropped into my chest. “So we’re as helpless as lambs in a lion’s den. Perfect.”
“It’s not only that. There’s a high likelihood that you’ll find your inhibitions lessened.”