A black bird flew onto the sun-drenched windowsill and settled on the ledge, distracting her from her thoughts.
“At least one of us is having a good day,” she murmured to her feathered companion, rubbing her temples. But the achy wooly sensation inside her skull wouldn’t ease, and worrying only made her head hurt worse. With hunger gnawing her stomach at missing lunch, Darci left the silent, book-lined room and made her way to the kitchen. As she opened the door, Hedori turned and smiled. “M’lady, what can I get you?”
The shock of what he’d called her struck her silent for a second—right, she was with Blaéz. He called Echo the same, didn’t he? Darci scrambled to find her voice. “I wanted a sandwich.”
“Any preference?”
“No—no. I’ll get it.” She wasn’t used to people doing things for her. With a slight incline of his head, Hedori went back to slicing vegetables.
From the fridge, she pulled out a Tupperware of sliced roast chicken and a jar of mayo. She set about making her sandwich then asked Hedori, “Can I help with anything?”
His odd orange-green eyes came back to her. He might be older than the warriors, but he was just as good-looking, and his eyes were very pretty, she realized.
“No. It’s all under control. I like working in the kitchen.”
Really? She usually put things off and cooked when she couldn’t stomach any more take-out. “This is such a huge place. How do you see to everything?”
Hedori scooped the sliced cucumbers into a salad bowl. “I take care of the warriors’ quarters. With the rest, I have help.”
Darci paused from adding low-fat mayo to her chicken slices. “I thought people—humans—didn’t come here?”
“They don’t. I have others who work here…” he paused. “Fae.”
Her mouth dropped open. “As in fairies?”
“No,” he said, smiling. “That’s fairy tales. Faes appear like you and I. These ones are from Exilum where most of the working folks live—they do this for Michael. They’re a reserved lot, don’t like to be seen by humans.”
It would explain why their rooms were always spotless and dust-free, despite her tidying up. Unable to wrap her head around that, Darci walked back to the fridge, took out the apple juice, and poured some into a glass. As she sipped her drink, she glanced at the kitchen door. Perhaps it was instinct that had her setting her glass down and walking out into the corridor.
Blaéz stepped out from a room she had yet to see and limped away from her down the hallway. He was hurt?
“Blaéz?” In a burst of speed, she sprinted after him. He stiffened. It would have thrown a spanner in her flight, but she was too worried to care. She rounded his side and faced him. Horror surged at his bruised face.Oh, dear God—not again!
A split on his brow had scabbed over, and an ugly purple contusion marred his left jaw.
“What happened?”
He shrugged, his stiff movements hiking her worry. “A fight. I’ll be fine in a few hours.”
“A fight? With demoniis?” She really hated his job. He got hurt every time he went out. She reached for his arm. “Let me help you.”
He stepped back, jaw tightening. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. You can barely walk upright—”
“Chrissakes, leave it alone. I’m not a babe that needs tending to for every scratch.”
She stiffened at his curt words. This wasn’t the tender lover from last night. She knew he could be cold, just never expected him to be so with her. “So, what do you suggest?” she snapped. “Not care when I see you injured and just walk away?”
He slipped his hands into his pockets, head lowered, he stared at her. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then he just shook his head. “I’m okay.”
As he walked away, Darci stood there and inhaled a shaky breath, lost in a sea of confusion and hurt. She watched him limp toward the back stairs, disappearing into the stairwell. After the most incredible night with him, she hadn’t expected this.
The ache in her chest spread. Was that the kind of relationship he wanted? Sleep with her and nothing else? The thought stole the air from her lungs.
“Darci, wanna grab a bite?” Echo asked.
Wonderful,she had to have heard them. The younger woman came in her line of vision, her mismatched eyes dark with concern and sympathy. Darci couldn’t even force a smile, so she didn’t try. “I’m not very hungry. I-I’m going to the library.”
