Page 120 of Plug and Tame

Kira stared through it in wonderment and relief, wishing her magic could reach him across the distance.

I’m coming Nathaniel. Hold on.

Meanwhile, Barbara had not ceased talking, even though the effort of keeping the portal open was obviously causing her great effort.

“—he cheated in order to beat me in the Wizarding Championships,” Barbara continued. “Alfonso was his name. I never liked him very much, but then I accepted his marriage proposal. So what does that tell you? I suppose, if you live long enough like I have, you learn to love your enemy. Or not. Which is probably for the best. Oh!” She snatched Kira’s wrist as she made to climb through. “Deary, before I forget. Byron and Mary left a few hours ago and are on their way to Wintermaw Keep. They wish to help you, dear, but no one can pass through the portal except you and Nathaniel, so they will meet you there.”

Kira’s heart clenched in fear. Mary and Byron were finally coming out of hiding? After all these years?

“But it’s dangerous,” she protested. “If—”

“Eh, they’ll be fine. They know the layout better than anyone. Oh, and they said to meet them under the east bridge.”

“Under the east bridge,” Kira muttered, recalling the map of the castle she’d been studying in the academy’s library. “That’s the one with the stream flowing beneath it, right?”

“Probably. Come to think of it, Mary might have said the west bridge. But I’m quite sure she said east. In any case, I’m sure you’ll figure it out once you get there, dear.”

Kira pressed her lips into a thin line to stop herself from saying something she’d regret. Barbara was her ally, and was well and truly old enough to deserve her respect. Even if she was bonkers.

Barbara continued with a steady stream of chatter as she held the buzzing portal in place. “Also, what would you have me do with Haley and Ana? Sweet girls, but they were prepared to keep you here against your will for your safety. Gave me quite a bit of backchat when I tried to stop them! ‘Nathaniel’s orders’, they said. To which I said ‘pish posh, you’re both old enough to think for yourselves!’. Although, Nathaniel can be quite authoritative when he wants to be, as you’ve no doubt noticed. I suppose that’s to be expected when you’re a prince, isn’t it? And come to think of it—”

“Release them,” Kira commanded, grabbing hold of the windowsill and hoisting a leg up. She was conscious of the time they were wasting—and the way Barbara’s magic was ageing her with each passing second. She paused and looked back. “And Barbara? Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, dear,” Barbara said, her voice growing croaky as silver streaks shot through her hair. “And good luck.”

The portal zapped shut behind Kira, plunging her into darkness.

She exhaled. It felt good to be back in Nathaniel’s room. The task of returning had seemed impossible, but now that she was back, the way ahead seemed no less daunting. The bedroom was dark, and unusually, even the magical lights had gone out.

Nathaniel never turned those off.

I guess he has no intention of returning.

Panic surged, but she forced herself to focus and sniff the air. She detected Nathaniel’s scent, deep and smoky, tinged with an odd flowery smell that was familiar but out of place. His scent was several minutes old.

He must have left the moment he shut the portal.

She glanced at the clock. It was the only source of light, its magical face aglow. Her heart leapt. She’d been gone less than ten minutes. There was a small chance that Nathaniel would still be here at the academy. If she hurried, she might make it to his carriage.

Or maybe I can ride with Victoria and Felix, they’re probably still here.

The vampiress was always the first to be ready to go anywhere, but the last to arrive.

I’ll try Victoria’s room first.

It was on her way. If the vampiress wasn’t in, she would morph into her wolf forms and race up the stairs to the front of the academy, and never mind who saw her.

She’d never been to Victoria’s room, but Felix had said it was the door with the purple lilies on it. Kira found herself desperately hoping that the vampiress would be there. It wasn’t safe to go to Wintermaw Keep alone. Even though she’d studied the layout of the castle, she wasn’t sure how much practical help it would be. Wintermaw was infamously heavily guarded. But, if she had the help of a vampire like Victoria who could sneak her into the castle, that would simplify things greatly.

Especially when that vampire has a wedding invitation.

They could potentially waltz right through the front doors.

Unlike Victoria, Kira had not received a wedding invitation, even though Henrikk expected her to be there. She had a feeling it was Gloria’s doing. She now understood why Nathaniel hadn’t corrected the oversight. She’d thought he was trying not to rub the wedding in her face, but she was wrong.

He never intended for me to attend.

Kira stumbled forward in the darkness, circling the bed as she felt her way through the large room. Even in her human form, her night vision was exceptional, but she wasn’t used to wearing heels, and for some reason, the floor was littered with all manner of items: socks, chains, sex toys, pillows from the bed, tangles of sheets, books. It was as if someone had searched the room.