CHAPTERTHIRTY
I walked on steady legs toward Mr. King’s door.Steadylegs. Immortality had its perks. This morning, when I had climbed out of Finn’s bed, my ankle no longer hurt. It was completely healed.
I smiled at Finn. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“Of course.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close. “It’s very kind of Poppy to give you lessons on defense…but I could have helped you too.”
I chuckled, the sound content. As I was. “I know. But I like this. Poppy’s someone I wouldn’t mind spending time with—girl time.”
Actually, I had chased her down like a demon before she and Mr. King had boarded their train to leave last night. I wanted this so much my chest constricted at the thought of being defenseless any longer. I was fairly certain Poppy had seen that in my eyes when I asked.
She was a good woman.
I stopped in front of the door and stared.
Pointedly.
“What the hell is all over this beautiful lion sculpture?” I exclaimed and then leaned forward to further peruse the beast. “Are those tiny little hearts?”
Finn choked next to me, his face turning a shade of pink. “Oh, fuck. I hope God hasn’t seen that yet.”
He rubbed at one of the little hearts, his chest lowering in relief as the pink ink rubbed off onto his finger. “If that had been permanent, Poppy would have been in some deep shit.”
My eyes widened. “Poppy did that?”
“Yes.”
That made no sense to me.
It was an exquisite piece of artwork.
Finn offered, “She thinks it’s a bit much.”
“It’s breathtaking. Perfect.”
“I think so too. I may have a white tiger fashioned.”
I nodded curtly. “That’s a splendid idea.”
Finn knocked on the door.
Both of us were studiously ignoring the thousands of golems lying at our feet. Apparently, Mr. King hadn’t cleaned house yet.
Poppy opened the door with a grand smile. “Hello!”
I instantly pointed at the statue. “That is not appropriate, Poppy. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Her smile didn’t falter. “It’s great to see you too.” She opened the door wider. “Come on in.”
Finn and I walked inside.
I glanced around the interior. “You have a beautiful home.”
“With fun statues to draw on.”
I narrowed my eyes.
She chuckled. “I might enjoy kicking your ass today.”
