Page 101 of Wilds of Wonder
I stepped out of the tub and wrapped a fluffy white towel around my waist. My skin felt wrinkly and clean. Now all I needed was a long, long nap and maybe I’d feel just a fraction better. When I emerged from the bath chamber, a freshly laundered dress lay on the bed. Red, yellow, and pink roses were embroidered across the bottom of the skirt. The fabric was a nude color with a black lace overlay, and the sleeves were thin straps that I assumed would hang around my biceps. It was beautiful.
Annalee shrugged. “Found it in the wardrobe if you want something clean.” Her eyes gleamed.
She was still scheming, but I didn’t know exactly what she had planned. If she hoped I’d put on the dress, and Maverick would see me, then we’d fall into each other’s arms, she was going to be sorely disappointed. It would take more than a pretty dress to fix the issues that lay between us.
“Go talk to him.” She gazed up at me with wide copper eyes, so full of hope.
“Annalee,” I started, but she stood from the bed, rushing forward and taking my hands.
“Fine, don’t go talk to him, but I heard his door click open while you were bathing, and if I know my brother, he went exploring, probably hoping to root out some secrets from this place. Discover new artifacts, unveil hidden histories. You wouldn’t want him to have all the fun, would you?”
She’d poked at my competitive spirit, and damnit, it had worked. Maverick and I hadn’t gotten to play our game in almost two years, and I missed it. I snatched the dress from the bed as Annalee squealed and clapped her hands.
I shoved it over my head, then pointed at her. “Don’t get too excited. I’m just going to explore a little. I might not even run into him.”
She widened her eyes innocently. “Of course.”
My gaze caught on the pocket watch laying on the bed, still counting backward, a little past the eleven now, close and closer to the twelve. Annalee trailed a finger down it. “Not long until the opening closes again. Maybe two, three days, at most.”
I stilled. “You know what this watch is counting down to?”
Her gaze bounced back and forth. “Don’t you?”
“No,” I cried, rushing forward and picking it up by the chain. It dangled between us. “We’ve been trying to figure it out this whole time.”
“Oh.” Annalee frowned. “I learned about it from one of my friends. A caterpillar, actually.”
I didn’t even want to know.
She studied it. “There is a way out of the Wilds. The same place where I got in. A hole in the border. But it only opens every few months. The clock counts down to when it’ll open again.”
Holy fucking spirits below. I looped it around my neck. “We have to tell the others.” And come up with a plan to leave. I gazed at the bath chamber longingly. Which meant no more hot baths and nice, comfy beds. We’d be back out in the Wilds before I knew it.
Annalee nodded, lips pursed. “Maybe at dinner tonight?” She bit her lip. “My brother is going to want me to leave with you guys. I don’t know if I want to.”
I knew what it felt like to be pushed into something that you didn’t want for yourself. “Annalee?” I grabbed her hands.
She watched me, a wariness passing over her face.
“I can’t pretend I know what you’ve been through with your father, but I do understand what it’s like to feel like no one cares about what you want for yourself, like no one has faith in you or your dreams.” I paused. “Figurative and literal. You’re beyond brave for forging your own path, for coming here, doing something most wouldn’t dare. You’re kind, and I can tell you have a special bond with the creatures here. A way with them that I suspect no one else has. No matter what happens moving forward, don’t let anyone take that from you. I can’t tell you what to do, but I can tell you to follow your heart. It’s gotten you this far.”
Her eyes welled with tears. “I think we have more in common than I realized.”
I winked. “I think you’re right.”
She slipped her hand from mine. “Now get out of here. Before Aron comes by and has a chance to stop you. I’m going to enjoy a nice, warm bath.”
I nodded and shoved my feet in bright red slippers that sat by the door. Time to go explore... and try to avoid the bone collector in the process.
Chapter Forty-Eight
MAVERICK
Islipped down the hall, looking behind me to make sure no one had seen me. Aron had warned us not to wander, and El would likely be furious if she knew what I was up to, but there were secrets surrounding this castle, surrounding El, and I intended to find them.
Especially when they had to do with my sister. El had wanted to find Annalee, and my gut told me it wasn’t just about Annalee leading her out of the Wilds, that there was more to this story. I just didn’t know what. Yet.
The hallway split, one way leading to another hallway with more closed doors, the other leading to stairs that spiraled downward. I hesitated but took the stairs. Voices echoed above me, likely some of the residents, far enough away that I shouldn’t have to worry about them.
