He waves his hand dismissively. “Yes, people’s nightmares wind up in here all the time, especially after Nancy cleans the king’s dream room.”
“Nancy does what?”
Stave sighs like he’s been through the ringer with Nancy more than once. “Between you and me, I think she lets them loose. She says her vacuum doesn’t work that great, but somehow it works perfectly when I turn it on.”
Oh, I really, really like Stave.
“Stave, I love all the lingerie, but I’m wondering if maybe I could get some jeans, T-shirts, some dresses—nothing too fancy.”
He eyes my shoes. “Are you sure?”
“Caught me! Just fancy enough, okay? It would be awful to embarrass Eryx. Oh, and what should I wear at dinner? Am I supposed to dress up? Eryx always wears a suit. Does he even own a T-shirt? Am I talking too much?”
Stave just laughs. “Not at all. I’ll have more clothes brought.”
“Oh, can you have Nancy do it? I’d like to meet her.”
“I’m sure Nancy would love to get out of afternoon duties, so yes, I’ll send her.”
I get the feeling I’m either going to love Nancy or hate her. Fingers crossed it’s the first one. “Thank you,” I tell him.
“You’re very welcome.” He runs a hand over his blond hair. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No, not right now.”
“Then I’ll send Nancy.”
With that, Stave leaves and I turn back to Elmore. “I can’t believe you didn’t introduce us,” he tells me.
“What? I thought you’re supposed to stay hidden, make sure I don’t die. That sort of thing.”
“Technically, yes. But I could have methim.”
My eyes narrow. “Elmore, do you think Stave is hot?”
“I don’t use words like ‘hot.’ I’m too old for that. But I do like the word ‘yummy.’”
I snort. “He is yummy.”
“Excuse me, you’re a married woman.”
“Please. I’ve only known the man three days.”
“Which means it’s probably true love.”
When Elmore says that, something loosens in my chest. True love? I’m not sure if I believe in that—for me.I do think my sister Addison found her true love in Feylin, and my sister Blair, too, in Devlin Ross.
But me finding true love? I frown.
“Why so glum, Chelsea?”
I grab a pillow and hug it to my chest. “I think true love is for other people, people who don’t look at love the way I do.”
“As something than can hurt you?”
I nod.
He sighs. “Chelsea, just because Ovie wound up with Charlie doesn’t mean you’re bound to live the same life. Look at your own parents.”
