Page 24 of Glass Hearts
Koi nods. I can tell he is just as desperate as Gray to get her in his arms. Not sure when that change happened. This morning, he was just as on board with collecting her for questioning. Did they talk when he said he was running off to the bathroom?
“Koi, stop looking at her like she is your salvation,” I reprimand.
“So, my princes,” Bernice approaches, once again eyeing up Arabella, “Where have you determined to place Arabella? I still think we are more suitable for her. We know her flaws and canmanagethem.” I hate the way she says manage. Arabella cowers and flinches at that.
“What do they do to Arabella? Did you all just see her flinch at that?”Grayer roars down the bond. Murder is in his eyes.
“Miss Arabella will join the kitchen staff. We need help there. Wallace will help you get all settled in your designated chambers. If you have questions, please let Wallace know.”
Bernice nods as Wallace motions for the gaggle of Baudelaires to join him. Once they finally leave, we all turn to our enigma.
“Are there rooms by the kitchen or something?”
“There are, but you, my duchess, will sleep down the hall from us instead. Though my room is always an option.” Grayer scoops Arabella up, bridal style, and enters the castle.
“Put me down!! I am way too heavy for you!” she screeches.
“You wound me, my love. You are quite light for me.”
“We need to talk about boundaries and intentions, Prince Grayer.” But she still wraps her arms around his neck.
“Again, it’s just Grayer or Husband to you.” Koi smacks him on the side of the head.
Things are getting complicated.
Arabella
My level of arousal is higher than it ought to be, especially during this precarious situation I find myself in. Being in Grayer’s arms is pure, unhinged sin. I can feel all his muscles as he carries me, like I weigh nothing, which is laughable. I also can’t help but notice the heated look in his golden eyes every time he looks at me. Even in my current drab attire.
It’s really confusing, especially as he always corrects me to call himhusband. I chalk it up to him just being temporarily amused by me; I have heard the rumours of Grayer. He has had many bed partners and has never settled down. Maybe when I turned him down at the ball, I was the first? So now I am just a fun, interesting challenge for him. I would be lying to myself if I hadn’t thought about jumping his bones. For science.
We make way for a set of opulent stairs.
“You can put me down now, Prince Grayer. I think you have made your point that you can carry me.”
“Nonsense, my love. I enjoy having you in my arms.”
He takes the stairs two at a time. Who the heck is this man?!
We reach a long hallway with ornate doors. A long red velvet rug lies along the long hallway. Red and gold seem to be the decor motif of the castle. Definitely not leading to a dungeon.
“You will be in this room, made for a duchess, if I say so myself! It’s dusty, and we need to clear out some of our crap. But once we get the maids in, it will be perfect for you.” He sets me down, but keeps his hand at the small of my back. The roomis stunning. A large four-poster bed sits in the middle, with its own little sitting room with a fireplace off to the side. It’s larger than the first floor of our townhouse; it’s really too much. Cream and gold touch every element in the room; it is fit for a princess.Definitely not a thief or servant.
“No, I can clean it.”
“Nonsense! I have no clue what your stepmother had you doing, but you won’t be doing that here,” Koi adds as he walks in. The space feels heated with the two half-brothers. Their facial features look quite similar now that I am closer to them together.
“Help with the kitchen, yes, that I can do.”
“Nah. You will just be in here.” Grayer draws little circles on my back, and it sends delicious tickles through my whole body. I should tell him to stop, yet I don’t. All his touches seem to calm me amidst all the anxiety brewing since they knocked on the townhouse door.
“So, Iama prisoner?”
“Well, it’s not like we can trust you, darling.” Archer walks in. The man seems to wear a permanent scowl. He is grabbing a few items that look to be cases of something. “You will not leave this room unless we ask you to. Your stepmother may want to see you, so we will have to get you a kitchen staff uniform for dinners and whatnot. But you may not leave this room.”
I let out a large exhale. This will be interesting.
“Arabelly! We could be in the dungeon. This is much better! Dungeons do not suit us!” I giggle at Kip; mice definitely roam dungeons. But I will not let my furry friend know that.
