The hotel was quiet in the middle of the day, and Birdie used the back-door code to slip inside and retrieve the aventurine. Herr Mueller was absent, and the cleaning crew was busy on a lower floor.
True to his word, Friedrich was steering his small car back up the hill toward Burg Rheinfels less than ten minutes after they’d left the parking lot. But when they reached the main gate, he didn’t turn in.
“You missed it.” Birdie twisted to stare out the window as he sped past the entrance and continued up the hill. He slowed several yards ahead and maneuvered the car off the road.
“Why are we parking here?”
He turned in the driver’s seat to face her. “We are going to the cave.”
She closed her eyes and leaned into the headrest. Why had she trusted him? Every instinct had told her not to, and she’d gone with him anyway. Now they were alone and she had the aventurine.
He tapped her knee. “Tell me. If we go to the past, will the others go too?”
Birdie opened her eyes and glared at him. “You seriously want to go back now?”
“Answer the question.”
“We’re not prepared. We should at least put our costumes on and tell everyone else. You swore we’d include them. Besides, what if the guards are still in the cave? You’re not thinking this through.”
“I brought the whistle. Now, tell me. I must know if the others will also go back.”
“Why?”
He released a frustrated breath and threw his car door open. “Why are you so difficult? Come now.”
Birdie opened her door and stepped onto the sidewalk. He’d parked next to the trailhead, which she now realized was hidden from the road. The slender opening between the rock faces was nearly imperceptible beneath a heavy layer of vegetation. If they hadn’t disturbed it yesterday, she wouldn’t know the trail was there at all.
“The others will wonder where we are. We should go back.”
“We will be fast. Follow me.” He passed between the rocks and bounded down the stairs.
Birdie hesitated, and he was halfway down before he realized she was still on the sidewalk. “Come now!” he bellowed.
She considered her options.
And then, she ran.
She flew down the sidewalk as Friedrich roared in German. Seconds later, his footfalls pounded fast behind her. “Birdie Blessing! Stop!”
She ran harder, barely slowing as she slipped through the main gate.
Frau Hamel whipped around as Birdie dashed past the ticket kiosk. Kayla was crammed next to her in the small booth, her back to the window.
Birdie slowed to a jog and then a walk as Friedrich caught up and fell into step beside her.
“Why did you do that?” he demanded between gasps for air.
She hurried down the storeroom stairs. She prayed Louisa and her team would be there, but it was empty. “Better get your car. People will wonder why it’s parked there.”
“Birdie—”
She stopped short and spun to face him, hands on her hips. “Look, you’re a camp counselor and not my boss, and not actually a prince, okay? I barely know you and I think it’s weird that you’re being so sneaky. I am not going back to the cave with you. Marielle is dead because of us. We could be next. Now, stop messing around. Where am I supposed to be?”
Friedrich’s jaw slackened.
She raised her eyebrows at him, waiting, her own anger flaring. He’d played her for a fool and she’d fallen for it. But no more. And she could tell he knew it.
“Es tut mir leid,” he mumbled, his shoulders slumping. “Sorry, Birdie.”
She narrowed her eyes. Too easy. And she was in no mood to forgive and forget.
When she didn’t respond to his apology, he strode over to the table and, after shuffling through several piles of clothing, pulled out a long black dress, several skirts, and a white scarf.
“Here, servant.” He held the costume pieces out to her. “These are your clothes. You will look like Marielle.”
She plucked the costume from his outstretched hands warily, ready for him to snap again at any moment. “Where am I stationed?”
He started toward the steps. “Follow me.”
Once again, she didn’t move.
“What now?” A bead of sweat skimmed his sharp cheekbone. “I said I am sorry. What else do you want?”
“You didn’t say the magic word.”
He snarled. “Follow me, bitte. Please.” Then he mumbled something in German that Birdie didn’t understand.
“Where are we going?”
“To the keep. That is where you will be stationed until the pageant. It’s also where Louisa should be, posing for photos with the children. You are to manage the line for her.”
She walked beside him to the tournament field, not trusting him to walk behind her and not liking the visual of tagging along after him like a puppy.
He stayed silent and did not press the issue of the aventurine again. It was as if the past fifteen minutes had occurred in some alternate reality, like they were in some kind of weird do-over. But no matter how quiet he was, she wouldn’t forget what happened or how easily he’d turned on her.
When they reached the keep, Friedrich introduced her to an older servant woman.
“I will see you at the pageant.” He met her gaze before he passed through the doorway. “Then we will speak.”
Birdie was aware of the aventurine deep in the front pocket of her jeans, and of the curious gaze of the older woman upon them both.
She flashed her best dance class smile. “See you there!”