“Chef usually leaves any extras in the fridge,” she replied and pointed to the fridge. “You can find dishes and cutlery here,” she continued and opened the cupboards and drawer. “Staples such as bread and spreads can be found in the pantry, here,” she finished and opened the pantry door.
“Is there anything else I may help you with, ma’am?”
“That is all,” Selene replied, and I watched her tense shoulders relax as Elise left the kitchen and shut the door behind her.
I felt awkward for a moment, not sure how to respond to what happened.
“You’re vulnerable,” Selene said. “I didn’t mean to respond, quite so aggressively. It seems my own emotions are currently running high,” she sighed.
“I feel a need to protect you, you understand—to care for you. The instinct is heightened,” she explained.
I understood, then, a clarity in comparison to my own needy state, to the intention or instinct driving her actions.
“It’s okay, I understand,” I told her and approached her, taking hold of her arm.
She reached out to caress my cheek before kissing my forehead and leading me to the fridge.
“Food for my pet, then bed.”
14. Please, No.
Persephone Flores
Selene was correct. The next morning my low mood had improved considerably, but I still felt clingy. I wanted to be around her. I worried that breakfast would be awkward with Sasha and Adamantia, given the previous evening—or rather, I worried I’d feel embarrassed when next seeing the two women—but I needn’t have worried. When we walked into the dining room, Sasha greeted me with a hug and kiss to my cheek, leading me to the table and the seat beside her.
“How was your evening?” Adamantia asked Selene as she sat down, with a slightly raised eyebrow, as if she knew already and was asking for her own amusement. I felt myself become flustered, before remembering that Adamantia couldn’t have known what Selene and I had done together.
“I heard there was an incident with Katrina, the new servant girl.”
“Yes,” Selene replied and reached across the table, pouring me a glass of orange juice.
No coffee at the table. I was disappointed. I felt like I needed the pick-me-up.
“Is that all you give? Only an acknowledgement that something indeed happened, but no details?” Adamantia asked, sounding almost affronted.
“I would be surprised if you weren’t already fully aware of what took place,” Selene replied.
“Leave her alone,” Sasha said. “Selene has never been one to talk about such things.”
“Our niece was hardly grown last she spent any considerable time at Ardens Estate, and was far less interesting—other than her womanising had already begun,” Adamantia joked.
Selene’s response was a deathly silence.
“Your promiscuity was such a short-lived adventure. Not yet at your twenty-fourth year, and already settled,” Adamantia added, and gave me an apologetic look.
“Do we have any report on the body from the maze?” Selene asked. I felt Sasha still beside me.
“Yes,” Adamantia sipped what I assumed was blood. It was too early in the morning to be wine.
“And?” Selene pushed. I could hear the frustration in her voice.
“A male, approximately early twenties. Shifter from his eyes, though we do not know what content,” Adamantia said.
There was an odd silence. Not awkward—the air seemed to be charged—while Adamantia and Selene locked eyes. Their stares were rather intense, and I wondered if they could communicate like Heidi, until Selene broke the silence.
“What aren’t you telling me?” she asked.
Sasha grabbed my hand. “Would you like to go for a walk, Percy? The morning air is crisp and the grounds shimmer in the frost,” Sasha said.
