Page 90 of A Bond in Blood

Every few feet a door would appear, jutting off from the stairs but Ulrich ignored each one.

I, however, did not.

I scribbled the stairs and each door we passed, making sure to note the size of each one and the strange markings carved into their surfaces. I wanted to ask what they all meant, where they all led, but somehow I knew I would find out eventually.

Ulrich’s cold filled the staircase while we walked, making it hard to take in a full breath. And so, by the time we reached the door he stopped at, I was struggling and huffing loudly.

“Do you need to begin training your body, Brenna?” Ulrich laughed.

I threw him an irritated glance, bending at my waist to catch my breath. “No.” I gasped in more air. “I need you to control yourself and not take all the available air.”

He laughed then shoved against the door before him.

Scattering echoed just beyond the threshold, and I followed close behind, watchingtrolldip down in respect. My eyes took in the kitchen, marveling at the grey stone and copper pans lined across the wall. The hearth, massive and taking up one wall, had a roaring fire lit with a copper pot hanging on a hook before it.

And the smells—making my tongue salivate instantly.

“These are the kitchens,” Ulrich spoke.

“I’m aware,” I replied.

Atrollappeared, slightly taller than the rest, bending at its waist. “Your grace,” it said softly, its voice deeper than I had expected for such a small creature. “My people do not make deals.”

Ulrich’s eyes met mine and he smiled. “Gard, mywraithis not here to help me claim a soul.”

My blood boiled at the word.

“She is here to map for me. I am showing her the passages.”

Gard stood, its red eyes studying mine. “Am I required to allow it to assist in my kitchens?”

Its voice was nearly frantic as it asked its question.

Ulrich laughed. “No, Gard,sheis assisting me with a personal project. You all can return to your duties. She will not return to your kitchens after today.”

Gard nodded its head then dipped away. The noises of the kitchen resumed with spoons clattering against pots and pans and shuffling feet echoing around.

Ulrich snapped his fingers, pointing to his side.

“I am not an animal,” I said, standing beside him.

“I’m aware,” he winked.

I stared at his eyes through his favored black mask. The green, brighter than usual behind the dark color.

“Why the masks?” I slammed my mouth shut as the question left my lips.

Ulrich smiled. “Why not? It’s been a long-standing tradition in the Unseelie Court. One I am not inclined to end for your comfort.”

My hand instinctively went to the ribbon around my head and the silver mask resting on the bridge of my nose.

Ulrich turned on his heel, leading the way through the kitchens. When we’d crossed the surprisingly large space, he stopped before four separate doors.

“This one—” He pointed to the left. “That goes directly to the ballroom. A set of stairs going up two stories right to the left-hand corner of the room.”

His hand pointed to the door beside it. “This one leads to thetrollpersonal quarters, of which I cannot show you yet without Gard’s permission.”

I stared, unmoving and listening intently.

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