Chapter13: A Date

*Isla* The days pass slowly, and for a few, I don’t see King Maddox at all. I am beginning to think he has forgotten about my existence. I wonder how long it might take for him to realize he has a guest in his castle—or am I a prisoner—sitting in a room, withering away? Of course, Poppy brings me food and keeps me company quite often. Sometimes I am alone. I have books and the window. I like to look outside at the gardens. Sometimes, a gardener will be out there working, making the plants beautiful. Some might think it is boring, and to some extent it is, but it’s nice not to have to work all the time. I miss my family so terribly, though. I wish I could call them or otherwise receive word of how they are doing. I have no way of knowing what Alpha Earnest told them. For all I know, my parents might think I am dead. Thinking of my mother missing me, of her assuming the worst, makes my heart heavy. I sleep a lot, too. I find myself nodding off in the chair by the window with a book or I