Page 25 of Twisted Fates
I walked to the armoire, and when I saw my clothes, I smiled. “Thank you, Damian. I feel much better with this setup. At least for now.”
Damian just smiled. “I gave you blinds for the window. Again, we can work on style tomorrow, and if you want, we can go shopping…you know, the traditional way.”
I looked around the room and already knew what I wanted where. “I think I have what I need,” I admitted. I stepped into the library and found the books I kept by my bed all the time.Stuff from my apartment had come into this room as well, including books my dad had read to me before he ran off. It was the one happy memory I still had of him.
I moved a few other things around. Those I hadn’t noticed before including my old trumpet from eighth grade. I was never very good, but because of being in the band, I had my first boyfriend. So the trumpet always signified coming out, and more importantly, the love my mom and grandpa had encircled me with when I did.
The last item I moved was the silly old unicorn. I was delighted all the stuffed animals were gone, but I’d missed the little bronze statue the moment I’d given it away. Having it back was a treasure. I placed it on a little table next to the secret door so I could see it no matter where I was in the room.
When I was done, Damian, who’d been sitting in the music room chair playing on his phone while I did my decorating, came over and checked it out. “Oh, man, this is nice, and yeah, like upstairs, this is you.”
“Yeah, it does, and thanks for being so cool. I know you didn’t mean to have a roommate.”
“I don’t know if I want to call you that yet or not. So, we should talk, you know. I like you, and I’d love to get to know you–romantically, not just as friends or roommates.”
“Friends with benefits?” I teased, and Damian cocked an eyebrow.
“Benefits, for sure, but only when you’re ready.”
I leaned over to kiss him, and my stomach let out a loud rumble, making us laugh. “Okay, maybe I worked up an appetite, and sandwiches and half a muffin weren’t enough. Come on, I’ll treat you tonight, and you can tell me how much you’re going to charge me to live here.” I said.
“Nothing,” Damian said without hesitation. “I inherited all of this. I didn’t have anything, but now I have millions in the bank and a house worth goodness knows what. No, you’re here for free, same as me.”
“Well, shit. Then I’m definitely taking you out to dinner.” I said, and Damian laughed. I wasn’t raised to be a freeloader, so he’d be getting over the idea I wouldn’t be paying, but there was no reason to argue now. We could come to terms with that later. For now, I was famished. I’d seen a seafood place on the way over here this morning, and I was chomping at the bit to try it out.
Chapter nineteen
Damian
The week passed muchquicker than I imagined. Owen and I had some epic make-out sessions, but the whole living together was clearly freaking him out. I mean, I understood, but damn, I really wanted to do things with that sexy little body of his.
I was beginning to get bored, especially since Mr. Stages, Owen’s boss, told me I was putting myself at risk of liability by driving and suggested I no longer do that professionally. “You have a significant portfolio, and we’ve not secured it from liability yet. I recommend you find ways to entertain yourself,” he’d said.
Of course, my mind went to his employee and all the ways I could entertain myself with him. I was moping about being lonely. I’m guessing because I looked as bored as I was, Orville, who I’m surprised to say I was getting used to seeing, told me I should begin my training.
At first, I had no idea what he was referring to. I’d forgotten the message on the parchment. I was supposed to use the advice from the parchment to train.
I didn’t hesitate to pull it out and place it on the old desk that hadn’t been replaced in my magical redecorating.
The moment I touched the quill to the parchment, words began to form.
Excellent, you’re ready to get started.
“Yes,” I replied. “Can you hear me, or do I have to write?”
I can hear you perfectly fine. Okay, let’s get started. First, you should allow my words to transfer to speech.
“Okay. How do I do that?” I asked.
The parchment took me through about an hour of instruction before I was finally able to do the spell, or whatever it was I did to make the words form audible speech.
“That took longer than it should’ve.” The words were spoken as they appeared on the parchment.
“Sorry, I’m not really sure how this all works.”
“No need to apologize, but you will need to trust your instincts. Have you not tried your powers before now?”
“Um, the house redecorated itself when I was dreaming.”
