Page 152 of Flirting with Darkness

His eyes narrowed on me, then he threw his backpack onto the sofa that matched my armchair. “She’d better quick with that food she promised. Now, if I’m right…” He opened a door I hadn’t noticed, half-hidden in a wooden panel, and groaned. “Oh, Stars a-fucking-bove. Jackpot.”

“What is—?”

He disappeared before I could finish, and a moment later the sound of running water drifted through the open door.

Running water? Wow, this place really was fancy. I’d heard the Hawthornes had it, but had neverseensuch a thing. I hurried over, about to peer inside, when the door shut in my face.

“Suppose it’s your turn first.” I sighed. Hedidlook like he’d been on the road a long time, so I busied myself exploring our room. A fire roared in the hearth, warming the space, so I pulled off my cloak and opened the wardrobe and…

It was full of clothes already. Faolán hadn’t even opened his bag yet, so they couldn’t be his.

I peered more closely. Brocade and satin, gauzy chiffon and organza, all in colours so rich it was as though I’d never truly seen the world before. Midnight blue velvet studded with silver stars. Slippery golden fabric, so heavy it could be made of real gold. Deepest, darkest black. And plenty of that crimson red that wove through the house’s decor.

When I pulled out a piece of wine-red velvet so soft it made me gasp, I found it was a gown. It didn’t tug on me in the same magic-touched way Ari’s sewing did, but it was so beautiful, I couldn’t help but hold it up, careful not to let it touch my dirty clothes.

I looked into the mirror that stood next to a tall chest of drawers. Grimy, strawberry blond hair coming out of its braid, I was a mess, but the gown? It would be pretty damn close to a perfect fit.

And a midnight blue suit alongside it was cut wide enough to fit Faolán. The fae lord who’d taken Ari was tall and broad, but nowhere near as big as Faolán, so not all fae men were his size. It didn’tfeellike coincidence, either.

I grabbed another garment. A gown in my size. And the next? A jacket in his.

Worrying my lip between my teeth, I shook my head. “Whatisthis?”

The rattle of wood on wood had me turning on my heel with a gasp.

But there was no one there.

I peered behind the wardrobe, under the bed. No one hiding. I held my breath, listened.

Another rattle—or more of a clatter, perhaps—from the tall chest of drawers.

Something was in the drawer.

11

INK & SILVER

The drawer jiggled again.

Heart beating just a little too hard, I crept closer and grabbed a hefty candlestick. That seemed a safer bet than my iron knife—if we were stuck with Granny for a whole month, I didn’t want to insult her on the first day. I blew out the candle and deposited it on the side, never taking my eyes off the drawer.

When I was in arm’s reach, it went still.

Candlestick raised, I pulled it open.

Despite my tight muscles, there was no movement within, no creature, just…

“Oh!” The sound fell from me in a breath that fluttered the delicate items inside.

I put the candlestick down, transfixed by the frothy lace and fabrics so lightweight, my breath had disturbed them. A black nightdress that looked like it would fall apart if I looked at it wrong. A tiny pair of… “Is this meant to beunderwear?”

Castors squeaking, the mirror slid out from beside the drawers. I almost inhaled the underthings, I gasped so hard. The mirror tilted, revealing my reflection.

My eyes were so wide, I could see the whites all the way around the sky blue irises, and my mouth formed a perfectO.

I held my breath and peered around the mirror. Nothing behind it—noonebehind it.

What the hells was this? Maybe I should ask Granny.

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