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When my father doesn’t answer, I worry my lip. “It’sClumberton Castlecalling, not me, so maybe he won’t answer.”

I say the words, but something feels wrong. My fatheralwaysanswers his phone, often dragging spam callers into hour-long conversations about the importance of coral and how to make the best grilled cheese sandwiches.

Feeling more agitated, I try again. And then again. Bastien slumps farther into Pennie’s embrace and time is clearly running out.

“I’ll call my number and check my messages. Maybe he went on a day cruise or something.” I pace the length of the room as I wait for the call to connect. When it does, I enter my code and skip through three sales calls before I hear my father’s voice.

I feel the blood draining from my body and abruptly sit on the floor to keep from falling. Nico is there, lifting me and sitting on another chair. He’s soothing me and I just stare at nothing, gripping the phone in my trembling hand.

Archie kneels beside me. “What is it, my Lady?”

“My father…” I can’t. I can’t say it. I can’t let it be real.

“May we listen?” Nico asks gently.

A jerky nod is my answer and Nico takes the phone from my cold hand and presses speaker and play.

“Hi, B,” my dad says, his voice strained. “Sweetie, I bet you’re out living your adventure. And I’m glad. Baby, I’m so proud of you. Soincrediblyproud. I just love you so much.” The beeping in the background brings an acrid taste to my mouth.

“Princess, I had a little heart trouble today. I’m in the hospital… and I just need you to know that you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” He scoffs. “I’m not ready… I thought I’d have more time. I should have told you so many things. Things about your mother. Things about you. Things about everything. I should have… I’m sorry. I just wanted to protect you.”

He draws a ragged breath and doesn’t say another word. Other voices shout medical terms and the call abruptly ends.

“There’s another call,” Archie says, glancing at the phone. “Should we?”

I nod again, clutching hold of Nico, whose soft fur and soothing fragrance pull me closer.

“Bianca,” a woman says, “I’m so sorry, honey. I’m a friend of your father’s. He had heart trouble when he was playing golf today. The paramedics came and took him to the hospital, but he had a massive heart attack when he was there and they couldn’t save him. He was such a good man and a good friend to everyone who knew him. Call me back when you can. I’ll help with anything you need.”

My tears break free and I’m clenching hold of Nico. “I can go back, right? To before this happened? You said that I could go back to the moment after I left.”

Nico nods, but his entire bearing tells me it’s not that simple. “The time, my Lady. Thetimeof the call.”

I look at the phone and see exactly what he means. My father called just minutes after I left. Even if I went back, I wouldn’t have time to reach him. I couldn’t change his fate.

My father is dead.

He’sgone.

I bury my face against Nico’s fur and weep uncontrollably in my monster’s embrace.

Chapter34

Bastien

Itry to reach my mistress within our song, but it’s growing more distant by the second. I want to comfort her. I need her to be okay, but an icy chill is spreading through me and I don’t think I can even speak now.

Pennie sees it,feelsit—the end swiftly approaching like a river after a great thaw. He brushes his hand over my cheek, my lips, and then attempts to warm me with the coals that always burn inside him. He can’t but the effort is appreciated.

Bianca sobs uncontrollably against Nico, her body almost completely concealed by his massive arms and anxiously swaying fur. The scent of desolation fills the room, contrasting so powerfully with all the beautiful memories our family shared in this space.

Our family as we know it will end in this room, at least the era of my membership in it. They will go on and I can’t summon a single regret even knowing how close I came to having it all. A hint of wonder is better than no wonder at all. All the roads I walked, all the forests that concealed me, all the harsh moments that led me to Clumberton Castle, my family, and my mistress—I appreciate them all.

I exhale and doubt that my lungs will ever fill again. Weakly, I manage another shallow breath. Maybe this one will be my last. In Pennie’s arms, with him gazing down at me with such soul-deep agony, I feel just how loved I am. Loved for who I am, notwhatI am or what status I bring.

I utter the smallest whine as I struggle for one more breath. Sudden movement captures my attention and I stare with unblinking eyes as my mistress scrambles off Nico’s lap and rushes toward me. Her bloodshot eyes and cheeks wet with tears singe my faltering heart.

She kneels beside the loveseat. “Bastien?”