Chapter 45

That night, I went up to meet a bowl of grapes at my bedside table. Before drifting up to sleep, I popped a few into my mouth.

The sound of seagulls squawking filled my ears. A twig snapped behind me and I turned, seeing Tabitha.

Face drawn, she asked, "Did it open this time?"

A dark feeling descended over me. My throat clogged and I stared at Tabitha, willing my tongue to produce words.

"Well?"

I averted my gaze. "W-well..."

Her voice thinned with worry and she searched my gaze. "Come on, Willow, say something."

A variety of emotions fought for dominance within me. My eyes stung. When I made to talk, she peered at me closely, then asked on a vaguely suspicious note, "Are you okay, Willow?"

"Y-yeah. Why not?"

Still looking at me, she said, "So I asked a question, did you find the correct combination to the lock?"

What was wrong with me. It wasn't as if I hadn't made up my mind to provide a way into the castle for