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Something in his voice caught my attention and I leaned forward to catch his eye. “You sound like you were close.”
He nodded. “Very close. We did consider marriage at one time, but she would not leave her beloved Rookwood and I could not rule my empire from the middle of a forest, particularly one controlled by the werewolves.”
I winced. “So no fairy-tale wedding.”
A bittersweet smile slipped onto his lips as he shook his head. “I’m afraid not, but that is not to say the outcome was completely unpleasant. We have remained good friends these long years.”
“She didn’t sound too happy to see you,” I pointed out as we steered toward the rear of the house.
“I had meant to return many years ago, but my duties kept me from a promised visit,” he admitted.
I grinned at him. “I guess better late than never.”
The emperor smiled. “Yes. I am very glad to see that nothing has changed. Even Werd was here the last time I visited, and Fysan will no doubt outlast us all, so great a lifespan does his kind hold.”
Fysan landed on a wide fire mantel and puffed out his chest. “I will be sure to remember you in a complimentary light for future generations.”
Callidus bowed his head to our feathered friend. “Thank you for your kind offer, Fysan.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Fysan opened his wings and flew off ahead of us.
Callidus winked at me and I smiled as we proceeded onward.
I cleared my throat. “So, um, could I call you Cal?”
The emperor nodded. “I would be honored, Millie.”
By this time we had reached the far depths of the western wing somewhere several halls off the dining room. The wooden walls were of some ancient lineage, at least judging by the thick layers of cobwebs that inhabited the knot holes. A layer of dust covered the floor and trinkets, but I did notice a single path that led from the door to another entrance. The second door was a thick steel contraption without a handle or knob. A circular had been inscribed in chalk on the front with unfamiliar designs in its center.
I nodded at a thick door tucked into the corner of the room. “Where does that lead?”
Fysan landed on a table with clawed feet just like his own and looked at where I indicated and wrinkled his nose. “To the basement.”
“We should check down there, shouldn’t we?” I suggested.
Fysan fluffed up his feathers. “No, I think not. My Lady doesn’t allow anyone down there and the walls are well sealed.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Why? You said it was just a basement.”
“Hurry along now,” Fysan commanded as he fluttered off his perch and through into the next room.
I turned to Cal who had his own curious expression on his face. “Do you know what’s down there?”
He shook his head as he led us after our feathered guide. “Not at all. I recall us being forbidden from venturing down there and the door was never left open, not even for a moment.”
“Did you try to push on it?”
He smiled. “Naturally, but the door never so much as budged.”
We had to leave that secret behind as we ventured through the house. The tour of the ground floor took well over an hour and by the time we returned to the stairs my feet were warning me that another search like that would do them in.
Ben and Edouard arose from their chairs in the parlor and ventured out into the hall to join us. “Well?” Ben wondered.
Cal smiled at him. “The house is as secure as my vault.”
Edouard frowned. “That might not be the most apt description considering the disappearance of your heirloom, Your Majesty.”
The emperor shook his head. “As I have told my advisers, I doubt the vault was breached. There must be some other explanation for the Prima Staff’s disappearance.” My left arm twitched.
