Chapter 13

Thomas and Vycandor took turns glancing over their broad shoulders at me as if to make sure I was still following them.

I was, but I wasn't even close to being happy about it.

My glare must have spoke volumes because Sean suddenly untangled himself from two of the swan maidens and hung back to fall into step beside me.

"You're awfully quiet back here," he began. "Aren't you enjoying the sights?"

It was obvious he took his job as tour master seriously, but his efforts were being wasted on me. He just didn't know it yet. Especially when an unexpected breeze caught me off guard. I tipped my head back to sniff a rush of warm air that set my body tingling from my head to my toes. I swear, the tantalizing aroma of roast duck permeated the entire island. Or maybe it was just his cologne. Either way the smell was driving me nuts and making me even crankier than normal.

I used my sleeve to wipe the drool out of the corner of my mouth before responding, hoping beyond hope that he didn't notice the visions of giant drumsticks dancing in my head. "I'm fine. I actually enjoy getting ghosted, zombied, and mermaided by both my boyfriends."

Sean smiled at me sheepishly. "You sound like a dating commercial." Without waiting for me to reply he drew closer as if we were sharing a delicious secret. "I don't mean to pry, but isn't it customary for humans to date one person at a time?"

I shot him a cool look, voice heavy with sarcasm. "Normally yes, but Lisette's curse has made that impossible."

His face lit up with understanding. "We are all cursed in one way or another. Some more than others. Shapeshifting is not just limited to the wolf or vampire, as made popular by  your modern literature. The transformation actually serves many purposes, such as competing in challenges, escaping danger, or exacting punishment. Not only that, but it also plays an important part in reincarnation. Surely your curse to bear is not so permanent."

I couldn't tell if he was asking me, or telling me. Truth be told, I wasn't exactly sure how much he knew about me, but there was definitely something about Sean that made me want to spill my guts. Not all my secrets, only some. "Just so you're aware, I didn't ask to be brought here."

"Then why did you come?"

I threw my arms up in the air. "I don't know. A cure maybe? Something, anything to take the edge off. Otherwise I'm seriously going to break. I know it. How am I supposed to, uh...I mean how does she expect me to..." I pointed to Thomas and Vycandor, vaguely aware that I was babbling uncontrollably. "Like they're a couple of milk cartons from lunch and I'm just supposed to rip them open and drink them together?" 

Sean nodded, dark eyes filled with pity. "From the moments that threaten to break us, come the moments that define us."

"Yeah, except I don't want to be remembered as the girl who chose to fall in love with two guys and starved to death for her trouble."

"How exactly did you choose them?" Sean asked.

I narrowed my eyes. "I'm not quite up to reviewing my process at the moment. So let's just go find this King of yours and get this over with, shall we?"

"I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of meeting someone so devastatingly honest before." He paused to smile. "For a human being, I mean. Why do you think that is?"

"Just talented, I suppose." My returning smile didn't feel the least bit weird. "And why do you have to be so ding-dang delicious looking? Honest to Pete, I could just eat you alive." He stared at me as if he didn't believe me. "No, seriously. I really could."

Either out of discomfort, or he was suddenly very nervous in my presence, I watched as Sean pulled at the black ascot tie adorning the high collar of his matching silk shirt as if attempting to loosen it. He mirrored Vycandor's style and fashion sense in every possible way, except somehow he took a more formal approach. Almost as if he were a mannequin on display.

Vycandor never bothered to answer me when I asked about his clothes. Maybe Sean would.

I couldn't help but frown. "Why do you dress like that? It looks so uncomfortable. And stiff." I didn't admit that it made him look super hot. Not as hot as Vycandor, but hot nonetheless.

Sean glanced down at his clothes, then back at me. He didn't seem to be the least bit shy when he said, "The Victorian attire you see me wear is actually due to Lisette. She forbids us from dressing in any other attire. She claims it helps to remind her of her father."

I blinked in surprise, voice going high. "And the women too? She forces them to wear tight corsets and those wide skirts with the hoops?" I remembered my dream only too vividly. Vycandor had made me wear a corset under that green dress that made me look like an escapee from Gone With the Wind.

"She doesn't force us. We dress like this because it pleases her."

My frown deepened. "Same thing."

"I'm telling you the truth. Don't you believe me?"

"Whatever you say, Hugo Boss. It's your runway."

For once his natural boyish charm took a backseat as his handsome face filled with confusion. "Wait. Who's Hugo Boss?"

"If you two back there can stop exchanging compliments so we can get on with the tour," Vycandor hollered over his shoulder, "that would be great."

My head snapped up. "Put a cork in it, Puss in Boots!"

"You have my deepest apologies, my dear," Sean said in a soothing voice. "I did not intend for them to hear us..."

I held up a hand to interrupt him. "Number one, don't call me dear. Number two, don't try to be reassuring. And number three, don't be..." My voice trailed off as I thought about what else to call him. Nobody calls me "dear" and gets away with it. I finally had to give up. I was fresh out of snarky comments. Well, almost. I waved at him dismissively. "Just don't be whatever the hell it is that you are."

Sean's shoulders slumped a bit as we as we approached a set of double glass doors to what looked like a much, much bigger version of Cinderella's Castle. The four swan maidens gave an excited ruffle of feathers that made their tiny mini-skirts shake like petals in the wind.

We crossed the threshold and it was like stepping back in time. There's a common misconception that castles are dark and dingy places. But not this one. This castle was opulent, glamorous, and oh so very, very French. Fabric covered every wall as far as the eye could see in a breathtaking combination of delicate silks and heavy tapestries, while intricate mosaic tiles made from what appeared to be a combination of colored glass and 24 carat gold created decorative swirling patterns that adorned the floors. For once I wasn't thinking about the hunger. I was too distracted by the beauty of this place.

I had to resist chanting, "Follow the yellow brick road," everywhere I stepped.

Sean caught me staring down. "Doesn't it look like the floors are covered in pixie dust?" I nodded in agreement, never looking up and thinking to myself, "There's no place like home. There's no place like home."  Breaking into my thoughts, Sean explained, "That's because Lisette's father, Armand Lacroix, used over one million hand laid tiles to recreate the family coat of arms here in the foyer. Notice how the helmet features the full body armor of a knight, complete with wings outstretched and holding a sword." I nodded absently. "The Lacroix family played a great role in the french military and were recognized for their heroic actions during times of war. The lion supporting the shield on the left symbolizes strength, bravery, ferocity, and courage. The unicorn supporting the shield on the right symbolizes great strength, fierceness, and speed so that no hunter can catch it." He paused to point at the center of shield before continuing. "The fleur-de-lis speaks of the family's association with French nobility, while the wreath and the significant mantling in the same blue and gold colors are representative of their esteemed social status. As an extension of his wealth, Mr. Lacroix even used an impressive assortment of rare jewels that you can see in the crown at the top. He even outlined the entire design in diamonds, which is why it sparkles so."

I met his dark eyes, sucking in my breath. "I almost feel bad for standing on it. It's like walking on a priceless work of art."

Sean pointed above our heads. "Notice the chandelier. Do you think it's large enough?" he said with a wink.

I could only nod my head in agreement. The gigantinormous chandelier with its many glass crystals was bigger than my entire bedroom.

"The castle has 775 rooms, and is home to the largest private garden in all of Michigan," Sean explained, continuing with the tour. "In the floor to ceiling glass cases behind you are many items given to Lisette by her father to remind her of her humble beginnings, and where she came from. Inside these walls you will find many things that were near and dear to Mr. Lacroix's heart, such as his extensive gun and knife collection" Sean added. " When her beloved father passed away this castle became the seat of power for Lisette, representing her ruler-ship over Maple Island and the many animals that serve her to this very day.

I pretended to be impressed, but I wasn't. I mean, it's not like this was an episode of the Bachelorette. After all, Lisette's father had made his fortune hunting and killing wild animals. Plus, I reminded myself, after his death, Lisette had decided to follow in her father's footsteps. Only instead of killing animals, she cursed them with the ability to shift into human form to do her bidding. For exactly what purpose I didn't quite know. But I sure as hell couldn't wait to find out.  

Sean continued to walk as he talked, reciting the many details of the castle by memory. "Inside the archway are a series of five mosaic murals that tell the story of how Lisette changed from beloved daughter, to soul heir of her father's fortune, and finally to supreme ruler of Maple Island. The murals took a little more than a year to complete and contain over 300,000 pieces of Italian glass in more than 500 colors. Many of the hand-cut tiles have been fused together with sterling silver and 14-karat gold, which is why they sparkle so." Sean paused to open a set of French doors. "The castle sits on over 61 acres with over a thousand feet of curved lakefront that provides a natural tranquil moat. Large stone terraces like this one overlook a dramatic cross-shaped reflecting pond below." 

We took turns looking over the balcony at the pond and lush gardens below. When finished, Sean closed the doors and led us up a ten story spiral staircase that seemed to go on forever. I thought my feet were going to fall off before we reached the top. Irritated, I just wanted to find a place where I could sit down. My piggies were squealing.

Once at the top, Sean stepped aside to allow us to enter an enormous space with high vaulted ceilings, ruby red walls covered with golden adornments, and heavily polished pink granite floors that allowed you to see your reflection. "The King will be with you shortly."

Dizzy, I spilled out into what could only be described as the throne room. A place fit for a King. Set up with elaborate pomp and circumstance, my eyes were drawn to seven raised steps and a pair of elegant gold throne chairs at the top, upholstered in crushed red velvet and complete with diamond tufting. An elaborate ceiling to floor canopy in royal blue served as the backdrop, while many arched stained glass windows and sparkling crystal chandeliers filled the entire large space with light.

I ran up the steps and plopped down in the larger of the two chairs, reveling at how comfortable it was. "Not quite like the bale of hay I'm used to sitting on in the barn, but a girl can get used to it."

Vycandor rushed up the stairs, eyes filled with fear. "Chaos, you can't sit here. This is meant for the King and Queen only. You have to get up. Now!"

"You're rules don't apply to me. And, besides," I paused to slouch down in the chair and hook one leg over the heavily tufted armrest, "my feet still hurt."

The four swan maidens gave a shriek when they saw me and began babbling at me in French. They were seriously getting on my very last nerve.

Eyebrows knitting together in angry concentration, I raised my arm and electric blue sparks shot out of my fingertips. The initial rush of electricity collided with my intended targets and I had a perfect front row seat as each of the maidens shifted back into the form of a swan. Except now instead of a ruffle of white feathers, they were more smokey black as the swans waddled around in circles trailing little wafts of smoke behind them as they exited the throne room cackling excitedly in unison. One of them even left an egg in their wake. I was willing to bet it was hard boiled.

"Is she always this willful?" asked a man with an incredibly deep, baritone voice.

Thomas and Vycandor answered in unison. "Yes."

I tried, but I couldn't see who the voice belonged to. Seconds continued to tick by, and then there was this moment...like when a black and white movie instantly changes to color as the King of Maple Island stepped out of the shadows. He appeared to be in mid-shift - not quite man, but not quite beast either. Covered entirely in shiny black fur that looked almost blue, he wore a necklace around his heavily muscled neck that was fashioned entirely out of long, sharp fangs. His wide head, curved ears, flat nose, and pointy teeth reminded me of a panther, but it was a pair of human, emerald green eyes that stared back at me.  

This time the King specifically addressed Vycandor without ever taking his eyes off me. "This is the angel you've been telling me about? The one who is supposedly going to save the world?"

"Yes," Vycandor said, looking suddenly worried.

I took my leg off the arm of the chair and sat forward. "The world needs a hero. They got me."

The King tilted his animalistic head to one side. "You don't seem very confident. Why should I place not just my life, but the life of all of the animals I've sworn to protect, in the hands of an angel? And a child, no less."

"Because I'm the bad guy. Duh!"