Thomas took the gold ring from his waistcoat and placed it by the rocking horse’s neck. It turned once, then lay down. He said quietly, “Let’s get out of here; it’s not safe.” Pearl hissed at him, “It was never safe.” He just repeated, his voice flat. “Let’s get out of here.” As they left the ballroom, the Earl put his hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “Sorry, my boy.” “Why are you sorry?” Pearl said bitterly. “You gave false life to these creatures, you forced them into danger, then took that life away. Is that what you’ve done with the triplets? Created lives for your own selfish ends, planning to take them away?” The Earl glanced at her, then turned to Thomas. “Why is she still here? She annoys me. Come and secure Swanhaugh for me.” Thomas took one last look at the ballroom floor and walked out of the castle past his grandfather and the Laird, who was still controlled by the constant threat of the Earl’s lorefast.
