Page 68 of Beyond the Cottage

His eyes remained fixed on the ceiling, but they grew thoughtful. When it became clear he wasn’t going to say anything else, Gretta rolled to her back and let the seed she’d planted grow.

As the silence lengthened, she dangled her watch like a pendulum, following it with her eyes. Just when she thought Ansel had nodded off, he sat.

“I’ve wanted to ask you something,” he said. “What happened to Crumb?”

Crumb.

She hadn’t thought about him in so long. They’d found the baby rat gnawing on breadcrumbs in the Eater’s pantry and had made a pet of him. After their escape, Gretta had smuggled him home in her apron pocket.

“I hid him in my bedroom,” she said, throat tight. “He lived for another year.”

“I’m glad you kept him. I used to imagine him curled on your pillow while you slept.”

“I think he missed you, actually. I know he was just a rat, but he was never the same after I brought him home.”

Silence returned, and she resumed spinning the watch.

“Gretta…” He wrapped his arms around his knees and settled his head on the couch’s armrest. “Can I buy another hug?”

The watch dropped to her chest. She fumbled it into her pocket. “What’s with you and hugs? It’s getting weird.”

“I’m not sure. I never used to mind going so long without affection. Now I guess I realize how much I’ve missed it.”

“That isn’t my problem. Besides, you don’t have anything to sell.”

He tilted his hip off the floor and dug in his pocket. Something came out draped over his open palm.

Gretta sat. “What is that?”

He brought it closer, displaying it in the moonlight.

When she realized what he had, she gasped.

Chapter 25

Transfixed, Gretta stared at the silvery braid. Black hairs threaded the gray, and frayed kitchen twine tied off each end. She brushed a finger over it, as enthralled as she was repulsed.

It had been her first trophy. She’d taken it after stabbing the Eater in the gullet with a paring knife when the witch dragged Ansel from their cage to the kitchen. While bleeding out, the Eater had appeared stunned and fascinated that Gretta had it in her. Afterward, they stuffed her frail corpse in the oven. Gretta had given the braid to Ansel so he’d always remember the cunt was dead.

“You still have it,” she breathed.

“I thought about burning it many times but ended up carrying it around with me, instead. I don’t know why.”

“You’ll let me have this if I give you another hug?”

“I’d consider it a bargain.”

Gretta gnawed the inside of her cheek. Same as their previous deal, his terms wildly favored her, but this time it felt riskier, likediving off a cliff without knowing the water depth below. Just looking at him while he waited for her answer made her stomach flutter with anxiety.

Which was so absurdly stupid, it wasn’t worth examining. She’d traipse naked through Antrelle for one strand of that hair. And hell, maybe a quick cuddle would serve her cause. If she made the hug friendly enough, he might change his mind about the capital that night.

It wasn’t a big deal, either way.

Gretta clipped the braid to the ring on her belt and slid to the floor. “Okay, but this is the last time I hug you.”

He flattened his hands on his thighs and dug his fingers into them. Shadows concealed his face, which improved the nerves Gretta absolutely didn’t have.

She sat on her folded legs, facing him. “Um. Neck or waist?”

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