Page 38 of Rapunzel's Gambit (All That Glitters)

Any time Pollox took a new ransom, he always placed it in his hoard, not at the tower. Without a second thought, I entered the wardrobe, closed my eyes against the unpleasant sensation, and stepped out into the cave.

It was empty.

I paced the floor, occasionally running my finger over my lips as I wished that Pollox had arrived later, and simultaneously wishing that Pollox would hurry up and get back soon so I could question him about the orphanage.

When Pollox did finally show up, it was well after sunset.

“Where have you been?” I demanded.

He flexed his wings, looking as proud as any preening peacock. “You don’t need to worry about the orphanage anymore.”

“Why not?”

“I took care of them.”

“How?”

Pollox sat, reminding me of a dog returning to its master, eager for praise. “You shared some of your treasure with them, as did I.”

“Pollox, did you claim them for your hoard?”

He tilted his head. “Of course.”

“But—”

“I care for my hoard, and I thought you wanted the orphans taken care of.”

“I do.”

“Then there’s no problem, right?”

“You can’t just claim people for your hoard!”

“I claimed you, and you claimed me. Isn’t it rather hypocritical of you to criticize me for something you’ve done?”

I ran my fingers through my hair, unsure of how to answer, so instead I asked very carefully, “What do you think it means to be claimed for a hoard? What does that entail, exactly?”

“When you claim something for your hoard, you promise to take care of them,” he answered simply. “I gave them gold and set up enchantments so they will live more comfortably. I also set up a charm so that if anyone tries to break in, I’ll be alerted. It’s the same one that I have around your tower so I know when someone is trying to come take you away. Now they will be safe, and no one will be able to take the treasure I left for their use.”

“Oh.” Clearly, Griffinhadmisunderstood whatever he had seen. “The squire who came today seemed worried about it, and you…you…”

“What?”

“To be completely honest, you scared me today with how you acted toward him. I thought you were about to bite his head off.”

Tendrils of steam curled up from Pollox’s nostrils, and his scales glowed the same deep red color of a live coal. “Was he the one up on the balcony today?”

“Yes, that’s Griffin.”

“He’s untrustworthy.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Didn’t you notice where he was reaching? I was protecting you.”

Clearly, Griffin had misunderstood what Pollox was doing, and I certainly wasn’t about to tell Pollox that Griffin had been trying to retrieve a hidden drug that I’d been given to weaken him. “I’ve met him before. He’s very nice.”

A deep thrumming emanated from Pollox and the temperature of the cave increased slightly. “So what does this squire do that’s so impressive? Fetch swords and polish armor?”

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