Once they were through the impressive front gate, Derek immediately set out across the courtyard toward a small shed to their left. Annabelle could only stand in awe of the ancient, pierred castle that rose before her. It couldn't be seen from ground level beyond the front gate because of the wall and the trees, but it towered over her now that she was so close.
 "Don't wait for me!" Derek shouted through the muffling walls of the shed.
 Unable to hear what Derek had said, Annabelle was already walking toward the arched bower that marked the path to the castle. To either side of the bower were lines of hedges that reached inches over her head and sprung forth the prettiest blue-white flowers Annabelle had ever seen. They curved back toward the castle in a defensive embrace, walling in the largest section of the courtyard. Beyond them, Annabelle followed the lush garden path as it looped past tidy garden beds and statuettes of mythic beasts, circled the fountain at the garden's center, and eventually alighted upon the front stair.
 She would have sighed and wasted hours just resting on the granite steps and staring out at the garden had the wrought iron door not stolen her attention with its intricate designs. Its surface was splattered with scenes much like those played out by the statues in the garden; in one a mermaid played her lute for an audience of sailors, beckoning them forth with her tail and eyes, and in another a unicorn laid its head on a maiden's lap. In others still, warriors fought lions and a dragon brooded over its lair. Flourishes of vines and glass bead embellishments twined the spaces between, linking them into a single whole. It almost broke Annabelle's heart to tug the latch open.
 Seconds inside the hall, Annabelle decided that Derek could not possibly live in this place- as a servant, perhaps, but nothing more. 'No one as rude as he could possibly be royalty, surely- or nobility, or simply wealthy beyond reason. He was lying and the true owners of this castle are going to have me hung for trespassing. Derek just led me here to be rid of me- this was just a stop on his way to his true destination! I have to go back!'
 
 At the slam of the shed door Derek stumbled backwards, swearing, and bumped into Annabelle. Spinning around, he pinned her against the wall. "What in the name of all that's holy do you think you're doing, woman?"
 "You tricked me! This isn't where you live! You're just trying to get rid of me! You stupid, arrogant ... I hate you!!"
 "You scare me out of my skin and make me slice myself open and your only excuse is this rambling nonsense?!! That knife was dirty! For heaven's sake, woman, fetch me some water and bandages at the very least!"
 Annabelle's glare thawed to confusion and Derek backed away, releasing her and placing his knife carefully on the table. He sighed.
 "Of course, you wouldn't know where to find them. Don't bother, then, I'll get them myself. You, though- just stay as far away from me as possible."
 Beginning to green at the smell of the shed, Annabelle obediently followed him out of the shed and into the fresh air, untainted by the stench of death. Out on the gravel she regained some of the courage robbed of her. "Whose home is this?"
 Derek gave her an odd glance as he stomped away."Mine."
 "Yours? No one else lives here?" Annabelle asked, running to catch up with him.
 "I said I live alone, didn't I?"
 "So you live here, alone?"
 "Now who's the dense one?"
 "Yes or no?"
 "Yes, of course. How many times do I have to say it?"
 "You never said it, you just said a lot of things that seemed to have said it."
 "I fail to see the difference."
 "You would."
 Derek glared at her, nursing his bleeding digits. "What part of stay as far away from me as possibe did you not understand? I said it for your continued health as well as mine."
 "Is that a threat?"
 "It is if that's what it takes for you to leave me in peace."
 "Peace is for the dead."
 "Well, you're killing me." Derek said, halting as they had reached the top of the stair in the midst of their dispute. Staring down at her, he waited for her to open the door.
 Annabelle crossed her arms and stubbornly refused to open the door for him. "That is the rudest thing I have ever heard! Take it back immediately!"
 "Why should I if it's the truth, you ungratefull wench?"
 Annabelle stared back up at him. Truly one of the most handsome men she had ever known, his fury mellowed her. Not turning her eyes away from his face and refusing to show any other sign of defeat, she pushed the door open. "Beast."
 "Thank you." He smiled, pushing ahead of her into the hall.
 Dazed and unable to bear Derek's company any longer, Annabelle floated through a series of rooms until she found one with a wash basin and lavoratory.
 Refreshed, she followed her grinding stomache and the heavenly scent of roast to the other side of the house.