Page 5 of Bound By Honey

It was apparent he really wanted to do this, though, and she understood.

"Of course. I understand. When will you be moving?"

His smile faltered. "In a week."

"So soon?!"

"Another manager had been selected but took another job last minute."

"I understand. Congratulations. Really, I'm excited for you. I guess I will start looking for a place tomorrow."

The relieved look on her parents' faces made Sage feel a bit better, but the shock and anxiety of this new development settled in her gut.

She would be fine. Of course, she would. She just needed to find a new place to live in the next week that she could fully cover with her librarian pay.

How hard could that be?

***

Sage stood before one of the most beautiful homes she had ever seen.

The white house with black shutters was the color of freshly fallen snow. Grey slate shingles covered the rooftop, matching the grey stone wall and iron gate surrounding the property. The lawn was perfectly manicured, the bushes cut with a smooth line. Flower petals from the trees flanking the entryway sprinkled the walkway.

Her parents would move tomorrow, which meant today was the last day to find a place to stay. She quickly learned that her beginner librarian salary didn't go very far when it came to housing in a city as big as Vishneel.

The parchment crumpled slightly in her hand as she steeled her resolve and approached the closed gate. Sage pulled the rope and a melody of bells rang while she waited for someone to let her in.

Soon a butler appeared, with a kind smile. He welcomed Sage onto the grounds, and she followed him through the garden and into the house.

Inside was even more magnificent. Tall ceilings with intricate molding, opulent artwork adorning every wall, and velvet curtains framing dark wood windows. The butler led her to a sitting room in the foyer where she could wait for the lord of the house to arrive.

As she settled into her seat on one of the plush sofas, Sage couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at being allowed into such a magnificent home.

In the last week, she had seen over twenty places. She wasn’t picky, but everywhere she could afford was either too far away from her work, in unsafe areas, or didn’t even include a bed. Two were only small corners in the living space of a family home. One had a hole in the roof and looked like it would blow over with a small gust of wind. She scratched the bites on her leg from the flea infestation at the last place she looked at.

"Here to damage more books?"

Sage jumped to her feet and turned toward the doorway.

Prince Finn leaned on the frame, his arms crossed and brow furrowed.

"I wasn't expecting you to be here," Sage said.

"I'm the lord of this house; I can come and go as I please."

Sage flushed, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"I should just go. This would never work out. I am so sorry for wasting your time." She made to leave the house, only to find her way blocked by Prince Finn.

"You're here about the position?"

Sage tried to step around him, but he blocked her again.

"Please move."

Finn bent over until his eyes were level with hers.

"I asked you a question."

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