Page 27 of Glass Hearts
“Really? Waiting by the door like lovesick puppies?!”
“Shut it, Arch, you seem to carry the bottle of wine for Arabella. I think you are just as curious.”
Sylas hands Koi the tray as he pockets for the key. Grayer is still brooding, not making eye contact with any of us.
Sylas unlocks the door. I think we all expected her to escape, or at least bulldoze past us in a run once we opened it. But instead, we walk into the room with her splayed out on the bed. She must have been so exhausted, she didn’t even lift the covers.
The first thing I notice is her bare legs in the tiny shorts. I crave running my hands up those long pale legs. But then I notice how she must have changed the sheets. And also got to dusting? A dusty shirt lies on the floor.
“We forgot to send someone to clean the damn room,”Koi notes, mirroring my observation.
We all just stare at the little mystery, snoozing so peacefully.
Koi sets down the tray on the table by her bed with a clink. This has Arabella shooting up from her slumber.
“Wh-what are you all doing towering over my bed?”
“Your bed? No, darling, that is our bed. Already comfortable, I see?” Being so angry at her is only getting harder to do. Especially when she gives me that cute half-awake, curious face.
“Right. Wow, I didn’t realize how tired I was. What time is it?”
“A little past seven. We brought you some food.” Sylas points to the tray of food on her table. She crawls over to the table, basically showing us her perfect ass in those tiny sleep shorts. We all internally groan, except for Grayer, who groans out loud.
“What’s wrong?” The clueless little thief asks.
“Nothing, Sunshine.” Koi saunters over to help her lift the cloche. Arabella opts for the salad and bun right away. She eyes the wine but just arches her perfect eyebrow my way. As if to say,are you going to offer?
I sigh. “Care for some wine, dear prisoner?” She giggles. The sweetest sound.
“Why yes, Sir Prince of Iciness, I would love a glass of wine. If I had a corkscrew, I can cork itandpour it. Wouldn’t want to mar your delicate, pretty hands.” I try not to, but I smile.
“Here, allow me, Duchess. We don’t have a corkscrew up here. But…” Grayer uses his fire affinity to put a little heat on the neck of the bottle, which makes the cork pop out from the heat pressure.
He pours her a glass and hands it to her. But instead of moving away, he sits next to her on the bed. His smile is back, and it’s just for her.
She moans after having a sip. I adjust myself in my pants. I think I caught the others doing the same. We just watch her eat. As if it’s the most captivating thing on the planet.
“This wine is so good. Love the salad and bun! Thank you!”
“Why not the stew, Sunshine?”
“Oh.” She blushes. “I didn’t want to say anything and be rude. My diet doesn’t include meat. I have been a vegetarian since childhood.”
“Is it because you talk to animals?” Koi asks.
She almost coughs out her dessert. She clears her throat. “I-I don’t know what you mean.”
“Cut the crap, little thief. We all caught you commanding those snakes and birds. I have never seen snakes so organized, or birds so vengeful for no reason.”
“Just—please don’t tell my stepfamily. They don’t know. Few do.” She looks with those big doe eyes at all of us and waits as we nod our heads in compliance.
Two mice poke out from under her pillow. They are both wearing little shirts.
“This is Kip and Bert. My familiars and closest friends. Fuck, that sounds so lame. But it’s true. They were the ones who helped with stealing your pendants.” Both mice sit up more proudly as if confirming their treachery. She giggles. “Yes, you are the bravest mouse in all the lands, Kip.” She kisses the tops of the heads of the little mice. They jump off her palm and sit next to her on the bed, accepting the tiny crumbs left over from her bun.
“So, you can communicate with animals. Is there anything else you can do?”
“Nope.” She pops the ‘p.’
