I finally managed to scramble to my feet. “I didn’t mean any harm.” I spoke loudly, over the growl that now filled the room. “I only wanted to…” But my voice trailed off as the look in his eyes combined with my own guilt to send me running from the room.

I had meant to flee in the direction of my chamber, but my feet took me in a different direction. When I found myself in the entrance hall, I knew what had brought me here. I had taken enough. My guilt at breaking into his rooms had faded in the face of my anger at the way he treated me like an enemy. Or a possession, to be controlled.

I needed space. To clear my head.

But, more importantly, I needed to talk to my sister. To hear her voice in my mind and to reassure her that I was safe. The afternoon sun had started to set, and I wasn’t wearing a cloak, but I didn’t consider going back for one. Running down the outside steps, I turned toward the stables.

When I burst into the building, Chestnut nickered a greeting, reminding me that I hadn’t visited her in a while. I whispered to her as soothingly as my shaking voice would allow, racing to strap on a saddle.

Within minutes the two of us cantered down the aisle of orange trees. The Beast had told me the gates would be locked, but they were ceremonial more than anything. No fence encircled the grounds. If I could not go through the gates, I would go around them.

Sure enough, the end of the aisle was now barred by iron, twisted into elaborate shapes. I turned Chestnut’s head, and we trotted down the fence. As I had predicted, it soon disappeared into a large bush and failed to emerge out the other side.

I steered Chestnut around the foliage, urging her onward with my knees. Riding back to Marin wasn’t an option, of course—and I wouldn’t have tried it anyway, for all the same reasons that had brought me here. But I hoped the block on my connection with Lily might disappear as soon as I passed the boundaries of the castle grounds.

As we burst free, I strained my mind, more eager than ever to reestablish the link between us. I hit the wall, but felt it give way a little, as if it weren’t entirely solid. I urged Chestnut to continue and thrust my thoughts forward, struggling to find a path through. My days of practice with the servants and the Beast had honed my mental capacity, and I felt a new force behind my attempts.

With a rush, I broke free of the block, my mind instantly connecting with Lily’s. I almost fell off Chestnut from the sudden rush of shared emotion.

Sophie!

Lily!

Oh, thank goodness, thank goodness, I’ve been so worried! I could tell my twin was crying.

I drew a shuddering breath, fighting my own sob with a smile. Of course you have. You always are.

Hey! I didn’t have to see her face to picture her watery chuckle. I’ve made a lot of progress on that, I’ll have you know. Jon’s been assisting me.

I laughed back at her, reveling in the moment. Jon’s as bad as you are, you know that, right?

Sophie, what happened? Where have you been?

The situation is bad here in Palinar, Lil. I wouldn’t have made it through the wilderness if the Beast hadn’t sent his royal carriage for me. But it seems his castle and grounds here are protected. Only I think the protection is blocking our connection somehow. It happened as soon as I arrived. And, seriously, it’s hard to describe the magic here, but I’ve never seen anything like it. I sent her a mental picture of the aisle of orange trees, full of both blossoms and fruit, the sun bouncing off the orange globes to strike the snow below.

Is that…snow? In the middle of summer?

Among other things. The whole place is like this. And the servants are invisible, and the Beast can’t speak, and I think the rest of his family is dead. I blurted it all out, knowing it would make little sense to her, but needing to let it out. And no one will speak to me about the curse. Oh, and the Beast has a magic mirror. Apparently, all the kings have one—ask Jon about it. I saw you in it, but I also saw Cole. He was riding with some other men.

What? Where?

I tried to describe the setting, but it sounded as generic as it had looked.

She sighed. He truly has escaped into Talinos like we feared, then. Nowhere in Marin looks like that. But never mind him. Are you all right? Has this Beast mistreated you? And did you say the servants are invisible?

I could tell she had no more idea where to start than I did. I took a deep breath, no longer paying attention to Chestnut who had dropped to a slow walk. Oh, Lily. Tears leaked down my face. It’s so good to hear you again. I’ve been so lonely.

I knew it! I should never have let Jon convince me. I’m coming after you.

No! Lily promise me you won’t. Not until I’ve learned more about the curse at least. I wished I could reach out and shake her. Didn’t you hear what I said? Even I wouldn’t have made it without the Beast’s intervention. You’ll be ripped apart by the wolves!

A remembered echo of their howls sounded through my mind, so real that I shivered. And then I heard it again. I gulped. That hadn’t been a memory.

Sophie? Sophie, what is it? Lily had instantly picked up on my change of mood.

Uh, nothing. I just thought I heard something. I turned Chestnut around and pointed her back in the direction of the castle. At least, I hoped it was the right direction.

Heard what? Wait? Where are you now? How are you talking to me?

I had to leave the grounds to get through. But I’m heading back now. If our connection cuts off, you’ll know why this time.

Heading back? Sophie…Sophie, can you hear wolves? She sounded like she had started to hyperventilate, the sound creeping into her projections.

Another chorus of howls rang out, sounding much closer than the last ones. I urged Chestnut faster. Shouldn’t we have passed back into the grounds by now? Why had I let myself be so distracted? I should have stopped Chestnut as soon as I connected with Lily.

The next howl seemed to come from in front of us, and I jerked backwards. Chestnut stopped altogether, pawing the ground, and neighing loudly. I tried to urge her on, but she wouldn’t budge.

“Come on Chestnut, come on.” I murmured, trying to keep the fear out of my voice. But my blood had now started to pound and my hands to sweat. Was that the pad of paws I could hear? And heavy breaths in the now darkening air?

As if to make things worse, a flurry of snow landed on Chestnut’s mane. I brushed it off, and tried to soothe her with my hands. “Come on, girl, we can do this.”

She danced beneath me, squealing now in fear. I looked up and straight into the eyes of a large gray wolf. I screamed and twisted to my right, only to be confronted by two more wolves. Spinning my head to the left, I saw another one. I was surrounded.