The others had forgiven me, it seemed. Though I wasn’t able to leave Blackthorn’s room, Baylen would bring my meals sometimes or even just come to chat. Cookie came by once over the last week with the excuse of telling Fran something. I had a feeling he just wanted to check up on me, though.
Thankfully, Blackthorn had kept his distance, only showing up when it was bedtime and leaving right away in the morning. Though, part of me found sleeping beside him exponentially worse than running into him around the castle.
The last few days have worn on me. I barely slept, worried he’d make a meal out of me or worse. Though Fran continuously reassured me that he wouldn’t bite me without permission, I still felt an edge sleeping next to my captor. Which in turn didn’t help me stay awake or concentrate on the books Fran had brought for me.
“Mistress, why don’t you take a nap?” Fran shook my shoulder. “I’ll continue with this.”
I rubbed my eyes and shook my head. “No, I’m fine. I want to help.”
Fran sighed, clicking her tongue. “You won’t be any help at all if you don’t get some rest. You’re falling asleep right here on the couch.”
I tried to protest again, but my head bobbed, my eyes closing for a second before I jerked up. Lifting my arms over my head in a big stretch, I yawned. “I suppose I can rest my eyes for a few minutes.”
“That a girl.” Fran helped me to stand, leading me over to the bed. “Here you go.” She drew back the blankets and tucked me in. “I’ll be just over there so you rest now. Don’t worry about a thing.”
I sighed and yawned again before snuggling down into the bed.
When I opened my eyes once more, the light from the window had dimmed, the reddish pink hue telling me it was sunset. I sat up in bed quickly, scanning the room for Fran.
To my dismay, the older woman was nowhere in sight, and all the books had been cleared away. I shifted in bed, contemplating sleeping once more when my stomach growled.
Groaning, I swung my legs off the bed, scowling at the vine that served as my shackle. It had been just after lunch when I had laid down for my nap, it was no wonder I was hungry now.
I frowned. Usually, Fran would have brought me dinner already.
My feet touched the soft carpet on the floor just as the bedroom door opened.
Blackthorn.
I froze in place, my eyes tracking his every movement as he stepped into the bedroom.
Once more, he was dressed in all black with just a hint of crimson accents on his shirt sleeves and collar. His dark eyes didn’t even look at me as he walked purposely across the room.
Blackthorn reached up and took a book off the shelf on the wall, flipping through it before moving back toward the door. Without looking at me, he flicked his wrist and the weight of the vine disappeared.
“You will be joining me for dinner tonight.” His dark gaze lifted to land heavily on mine. “Don’t make me regret it.”
Scowling at the door he closed behind him, I rubbed my ankle where the vine had been. The skin surprisingly hadn’t turned raw or tender from the constant rubbing. Not giving myself the chance to wonder about how that was possible, I slipped a pair of slippers Fran had brought up from my original room on and hurried out the bedroom door.
I had to backtrack a few times because I got lost, but eventually, I was able to find my way to the kitchens. Without knocking, I pushed the kitchen door open and found the warm room filled with all the servants, just as it was the first time.
At my appearance, everyone paused what they were doing. Then, all at once, they started talking, coming toward me like a mob in the streets. I almost ran out of the kitchen until Cookie put his large frame in the way and pushed everyone back.
“Now, now, everyone. Calm down.” His large hand wrapped around my shoulder as he led me to the kitchen table. “Give mistress some room to breathe. I’m sure she is as happy to see everyone as we are.” He gave me a sideways smile before bending down to mutter in my ear. “Fran explained everything— well, as much as she could — so you don’t have to worry. We understand.”
I nodded numbly, taking a seat at the table.
The twins were at the other end again, this time peeling potatoes. Cookie said they understood, but the suspicious look the twins were giving me didn’t make me feel that was completely true.
Unable to handle the thick silence, I turned to them. “Which one of you is Elise?”
The one on the bench beside me lifted her knife hand before going back to peeling. The other adjusted a piece of cloth tied around her head before answering my unasked question.
“I’m Daphne. It’s alright if you get us mixed up. We’re used to it.” She offered me an encouraging smile. “One way to tell is that I usually keep my hair pulled back while my sister prefers to keep her wild.”
Elise sniffed. “I prefer all natural. It’s a lot better than that rat’s nest Luka has under that hat of his.” She gestured to the middle-aged man tending to the fire.
Luke looked up from what he was doing and gave her a rude gesture, making the others laugh.
