Page 47 of Grotesque Love

Because you were distracted, Ari.

But this must prove that last night wasn’t a dream. Once I fell asleep they must have fixed my nightshirt and changed the sheets…somehow. I think back to how strong they were and realise that one of them was holding me while the others changed the bed. It isn’t too hard to imagine.

“Have you ever been inside the west wing?” I ask, trying to divert his attention away from my neck.

His eyes flicker with hesitation, “The west wing is off-limits to everyone, Miss. It’s best not to venture there.”

His cryptic warning only fuels my curiosity further. Whatsecrets could be hidden in the west wing that they – he and Carver both – are so adamant about keeping it locked away?

“I understand,” I reply, trying to sound casual. “I was just interested in the history of the place. I hoped to see some more of the house.”

He studies me for a moment, as if assessing whether to trust me with more information.

Finally, he lets out a sigh and relents. “Tis useless. The west wing has been locked up for decades after a tragic incident.”

Something in his expression makes me wonder if he’s…not lying exactly, but maybe not being entirely truthful with me either. But before I can say anything, he continues, “Some say it’s haunted by the spirits of those who once resided there.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end at his words.

Haunted? That’s the second time he’s talked of spirits, but he doesn’t think statues can move? How does that figure?

This place just keeps getting more mysterious – and contradictory – by the minute. I thank him for the information and make a mental note to find a way into the west wing later. But not today. Today I want to catalogue the statues until I find my monsters.

As the groundskeeper bids me farewell and heads off to tend to his duties, I’m left alone in the garden once again. The statues loom over me like silent sentinels, their stony faces watching my every move. And I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to them than meets the eye.

SAX

“I…I don’t really know what to say to you,” Arianwen mumbles, sitting down cross-legged before me. She avoids looking at me, reaching instead to pick daisies and pull at random tufts of grass. She squirms with embarrassment, but she’d see no judgement if she’d just glance up andlookat me.

When the sun rises, we revert back to our stone forms. Overthe centuries we’ve all become accustomed to knowing exactly when the sun will rise, and so it’s easy for us to position ourselves wherever we want to spend the day.

When Ari was bed-bound, we would take it in turns to perch outside her window to watch over her. When she started to move around the manor we’d be outside the bathroom, the solarium, maybe even the kitchen.

Now that she’s more herself, she wants to explore, to come outside and stretch her metaphorical wings, and so we enjoy the sun on our stone while still getting to spend time with her.

I had a feeling that Ari would come looking for us today, and I figured the easiest way for her to find me would be if I returned to yesterday’s spot – for her, I’d willingly spend my eternity locked in one place if she would only visit and look upon me.

A soft sigh falls from her lips, snapping my attention back to her.

“I guess I should apologise.”

A gorgeous soft pink blush blooms across her cheeks and it delights me. Not because she’s uncomfortable, but because for months I’ve had to gaze upon her colourless complexion dying to be able to breathe some life back into her.

“I shouldn’t have done what I did.”

I fight against my bonds, desperate to hold her, to reassure her that there’s nothing to forgive, nothing to apologise for. She can climb all over me and use me to her heart’s content and I will blissfully take it all. Even today, even after last night, the scent of her is ingrained into my skin, into my soul. I could never regret yesterday.

“But it did feel good.”

My heart soars at her words. Of course my main goal is, and always will be, to protect and cherish Ari, but once that’s accomplished, my secondary focus will always be bringing her pleasure. To know that she doesn’treallyregret yesterday pleases me greatly.

She sighs again and turns her attention back to the small pile of daisies she’s gathered in her lap.

“I’m guessing one of you got breakfast ready for me this morning. The flowers were a nice touch too. And changing the sheets.”

I have no choice but to stay silent and listen, but I don’t mind at all.

“I’m trying to work out who did what. Obviously not the mouthy one – I doubt he’d do anything nice for anyone. He would probably sneak a peek at me in my sleep though. I know you’re the big one. The bossman. You’re definitely the leader. Protective too.” She hums thoughtfully. “I can see you insisting on changing the sheets so that I was more comfortable. You would probably make me eat too. But…the other one…the smaller one. He’s so kind. So gentle. I can see him bringing me flowers.”

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