Standing, I walked over to my desk and pulled out the set of keys. I hurried down the stairs and through the kitchen. The castle was still sleeping, though I knew my mate was not. I opened the hidden door and was hit with the chill of the air, filling me with even more guilt. I ran down the hallway and approached her cell.
She lay there in a small, white ball in the middle of the room. The moon shown through the narrow window, casting a faint glow on her. I could see the thin sheet wrapped around her body tightly as she faced the opposite direction.
“Valerie?” My voice came out a whisper.
Silence. Not even a flinch.
I unlocked the door with a clang and entered her cell. I slowly walked around until I could see her face. She didn’t look up at me, just continued to stare at the wall.
