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“I was concerned for your safety.”
“You were concerned for my safety from outside my balcony in the dark?”
“Yes.”
“How romantic.”
“It felt more dignified at the time.”
Morrigan steps delicately down from the chair and approaches. I hold very still. Olive watches with visible amusement. The ocelot circles my legs once, sniffing my boots, my trousers, the hem of my coat. Then she sits directly before me and stares up.
“What do I do?” I ask.
Olive’s eyes sparkle. “Earn her respect.”
“How?”
“Do not die of fear,” Olive remarks, resting her head atop her fist.
“Excellent. A familiar task.”
Morrigan lifts one paw and places it on my shoe, her claws extend. A slight warning, then she withdraws them and walks away as though I have ceased to matter.
Olive nods. “That went well.”
“She threatened my foot.” I gesture to my appendage.
“She did not draw blood.” Olive shrugs her shoulders in nonchalance.
“A generous woman.” I roll my eyes and cross the room toward her.
“Morrigan is not a woman.”
“She is clearly a duchess.”
Olive laughs again, and I decide, instantly and without shame, that I would be judged by every creature in this house if it meant hearing that sound. From somewhere above us, a heavy flutter echoes. I look toward the open balcony doors.
Olive’s smile turns wicked. “That would be Thanatos.”
“A vulture?” I point toward the monstrous creature lurking.
“Yes.”
“He is inside?” I state with caution.
“Sometimes.”
I close my eyes briefly. “Of course.”
She motions me toward her and slides her fingers into mine. When I look at her, the room seems to quiet around us.
31. Two Smiles, a Triumph – Lazarus
Somebody Else
I have always found silence suspicious. Silence usually means one of three things, someone is dead. Someone is about to become dead or Alcott Afton is thinking. The third is often the most dangerous. Tonight, however, the silence in my manor is softer.
Olive has gone to bed after an evening in the library with Edward, who read aloud until her eyes finally closed against his shoulder. She smiled today. Twice. Once at something Edward said, and once at Morrigan attempting to steal a ribbon from her hair.
