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“Archie,” she says, her voice commanding, while Bastien appears ready to drag her away from me.

My lips raise, my tusks digging into them, as I snarl at her, while my prodigious nose draws her fragrance more deeply. I smelled her in the castle, the effects of her time with Pennie and Bastien. A scent that could inspire the most powerful rut of my tragically long life.

Pennie and Nico grip my arms to restrain me, as if that could stop me from taking her right here.

All thoughts vanish. All preparations for this moment are rendered instantly useless. All that time wasted thinking I could ever run from what I am. A monster.

Bianca exhales with annoyance and crosses her arms. “I want my tour, Lord Clumberton. I’ve seen Pennie’s room and his bathroom and many hallways leading here. I’m standing in acastleand I want to see everything, and I want you to lead my tour. Can you accomplish that?”

I’m still snarling and all it garners from her is adorably flared nostrils and distinctly pursed lips.

When my senses begin to return, my absolute shame leads the way. “Please, don’t judge them for my bad behavior,” I murmur, sending her a pleading look and then moving swiftly out of the room, knowing exactly where to go at a time like this.

Chapter22

Bianca

Well, that could have gone better. I think those words but I don’t speak them because Bastien is trembling beside me, his song muffled under the weight of a profound sort of worry. Nico’s fragrance swiftly moves from truly rank to despondently awful. And Pennie appears to be made of stone, still and tight and unhappy.

They stare at the floor that is covered with a beautiful, colorful rug that makes me want to take off my fine, satin slipper shoes and dig my toes into its fluffiness.

“I can take you back,” Nico mutters miserably.

I lean like a contortionist, but still can’t catch his gaze. “Back where?”

In the definition of a mumble, he says, “To your home.”

“Why would I want to go back there?”

Nico finally raises his head and his lovely eyes meet mine, the blue in them suddenly showing in what was just pure darkness. “Because Archie…”

“Archie’s having a moment. Weallhave moments. I’m not going anywhere.” I wrap my arm around Bastien and pull him closer, stroking my hand over his feathers. “I’mnotgoing anywhere,” I say more softly to him, but then add, “Well, not back home at least.” I hold Nico’s still-concerned gaze. “You and I are going to find Archie right now.”

Pennie moves closer. “Lady Bianca, that’s not wise.” His tone is so different than just an hour ago, entirely burdened in a way that hurts my heart. “Archie is struggling with control—he could overstep in a way that can’t be undone.”

“Bastien explained and Nico can stop him, right?”

Nico’s eyes widen at that. “Icanstop him, but that doesn’t make this a good idea.”

“Why?”

Nico and Pennie share a look, before Pennie answers, “He needs to gather himself and find a way to control his urges.”

“Okay, when will that happen? And how? Exactly how long will Archie be away? Because I’m not going to walk through this castle without its lord leading the way. Period.” I kiss the side of Bastien’s face, attempting to soothe away his concerns. “I want you to stay with Pennie.”

“But…” Bastien says anxiously.

“Nobuts, Bastien. Youwillstay here with Pennie.” I lean and kiss his lips to soften the command that ripples through him, not so pleasantly now. “I need to find my way with each of you and I’m committed to doing exactly that. And to do that, I need to trust my instincts.”

My expression becomes oddly skewed. “That’s somethingold mewouldn’t have done. That pathetic chick would already be hightailing it back toBoring-Villeto live a permanently boring life. But I’m not her anymore.” I pat my chest. “My heart is telling me that the only way to discover whether I belong here is for all of us to be together—allof us.” I glance at Pennie, who nods his understanding and support.

Pennie then levels Bastien with a look fierce enough that my feathered friend snuggles into me. “We’llbe right here, awaiting your return.” Pennie’s shoulders lower and he says to me, “If you do decide to go back, I am…”

I fully pout with atskand an unladylike grunt. “I’mnotgoing anywhere over this, and I wouldn’t just run away without saying goodbye. Have some faith in me, Mr. Pennie.”

Pennie claims my hand and kisses my knuckles. “Forgive me for doubting you.”

“You are forgiven.” I turn my focus onto Nico, who still looks dubious about our—my—mission.