"This is it," Leonora said, her hand trembling as she reached for the key ring. "Primrose, are you sure about this? Ellia isn't just 'spirited.' My father calls her 'The Calamity.' My uncle calls her 'That Thing in the West Wing.'"
"I handle Vali," I reminded her, patting my satchel (which contained emergency bribery cookies). "Vali bites people as a form of greeting. I'll be fine."
"Vali is a puppy," Leonora warned, turning the key. "Ellia is... well, you'll see."
The locks clicked open with a heavy thud. Leonora pushed the door ajar, gave me a quick, terrified hug, and whispered, "Good luck. I'll have the royal physician on standby."
Then she slammed the door shut and locked it from the outside.
The Lion's Den
I stood alone in the room.
It was massive. It had high ceilings, a grand fireplace, and huge windows overlooking the gardens. It was also a total disaster zone.
