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Fiona cliate and pressing a button on what I assume is the intercom system

“What an a softly

“Yeah,” I reement

Beyond the gate the stone path winds, trees bordering it on all sides,a tunnel of snow-dappled branches The house sits beyond that but calling it a house is a massive understatement

The thing is a mansion, an estate

Fiona ives me the mother of all eye rolls

“What?” I giggle “How the hell am I supposed not to be impressed?”

I assumed that they ealthy since Saul was a For else entirely

“I know,” Fiona says “I guess I downplayed it because, well… Because ants to be seen as the spoilt rich girl, you know?”

“You’ve never come across like that, Fi,” I assure her “That doesn’t stop this place froh, does it?”

“Thanks, Goldilocks,” she smiles

I can’t help but return her smile at the nickname Goldilocks, which is a play on my surname, Gold, and also a reference to the time I refused to leave a conservation site before an ani for received the proper medical attention It was only a volunteer position, but when I saw the poor sloth’s cracked nails and heard that there weren’t enough resources to care for it, I did so very silly—I walked in and stayed there until they stopped being complete assholes

“Those nasty men were the bears,” Fiona said when she heard the story, absolutely delighted “And you,herself lost in the woods, not listening to reason So from this day forth that shall be your na to hand – and knightedit on one shoulder and then the other “See? Now it’s official”

My awe for the property can only soar higher as we pass under the shadow of the trees, the house loo

“How iant glazed s, the high stone steps that lead to the tall oak carved front door—with two gargoyles sitting on either side, watching stonily

“Around thirty,” Fiona says “But please don’t start gushing I don’t want you to start resenting me”

“Fi, stop it with that talk, Jesus,” I say “You didn’t decide to be born here, did you?”