Page 59 of Heart of the High King
Chapter 25
“Wait until I’m finished,” Kitchi said, snipping his scissors. “It’s going to look great. You’ve got such fabulous, thick hair.”
“I really appreciate you doing this,” Aleksander told him. While Aleksander sat there patiently, the raccoon moved like lightning as he flitted around his chair.
“Not as much as I do,” Noirin drawled. “I had no idea that when I volunteered centuries ago to trim the hair of the D’Vaire men that I’d wind up doing it for so long. And a bigger bunch of whining babies about my work you’ve never met.”
“I never complained,” Aleksander argued with a glare.
“Okay, it was mostly Dray, and before that I had to deal with Brogan’s attitude. No one was happier than me when he decided to find someone professional to do it,” Noirin retorted.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to take much off the length,” Kitchi commented. “But it’s just screaming for layers and you know, I really think it’s going to make the blue stand out even more.”
Less than two decades ago, Aleksander was still seeking out every option to try and disguise his differences, including the blue of his hair. It made the corner of his mouth lift in a smile to think of the way his life had changed. Aleksander was now proud of how he stood out, and it connected him to the wonderful freaks that shared his house. That didn’t mean he was comfortable when he walked out of the bubble Sorcery D’Vaire had created to protect his land, but then, he had no reason to trust that outsiders would understand that diversity should be celebrated.
“It’s heavy and I’m grateful for your expertise,” Aleksander told Kitchi.
“You guys are so awesome to give me this little shop. Between making you guys hair-happy and working for Worth, I’ve never been so busy in my life. I’m loving every minute. Have I thanked you yet for letting me become a D’Vaire?”
Aleksander and Noirin both responded loudly in the affirmative.
“Seriously, Kitchi, you say it ten times a day,” Noirin added.
“Can you believe Worth is trusting me to help him?” Kitchi asked, letting out a musical laugh. “I’m so glad my computer classes and those few months working for that accountant are actually useful now, and I’m learning so much. And I do have to say, his hair looks incredible. His is nearly as long as yours, Aleksander.”
“He starts dyeing part of it blue, and you might want to start worrying that he’s going to secretly dispatch you and take over D’Vaire,” Noirin teased.
“You need to stop watching those crime shows with Blodwen,” Aleksander decided.
“I’m kidding. Worth adores you. It just still blows my mind how much you two look alike, and since he started growing his hair out so it’s your length, it is only more obvious.”
“He needs to put another desk in his office,” Aleksander complained.
Noirin let out a heartfelt sigh. “He won’t. Worth’s not taking Rafferty’s desertion well. Now that you have the empty desk, Kitchi, he’s adamant that he wants nothing to do with preparing things for his mate to show up.”
“I know,” Kitchi exclaimed. Running a comb through Aleksander’s locks, hair flew as he put his scissors back in motion. “He’s calling him his phantom mate and says he hopes he never shows up. It’s horribly sad. Aleksander, I hope we aren’t making you uncomfortable talking about it…especially me, since I never even met your other half.”
“No worries, Kitchi. I don’t want anyone to pretend it didn’t happen. That’s not how our family works, and I also don’t want anyone to think that just because Rafferty left that you’ll struggle with your mate when you meet him. I’ve tried to discuss it with Worth too, but he just clams up and walks away. Hopefully time will get him to calm down about it, or perhaps Fate will send his other half here, so he can see that for some people all they get is happiness. Look at Noir. She and Kendrick have been two wonderful peas in a pod since he showed up.”
“You guys are so cute together,” Kitchi told her, and she grinned wildly. “And the food—oh my Fate, it’s so good.”
“We have so much fun cooking together,” Noirin enthused. “We’re so glad everyone loves the food.”
“Okay, done,” Kitchi announced, peeling off the smock they’d bought him online along with everything else he needed to make a little salon for himself in the building just outside the mansion where they lived.
Aleksander was handed a small mirror. “This looks great,” he said, dragging a hand through his freshly shorn tresses. As promised, it still hung nearly to his shoulders, but there were long layers that made it feel infinitely less heavy. With not as much black obscuring it and whatever magic Kitchi had done with his scissors, the blue stood out more boldly than before. “I love it.”
Kitchi clapped his hands, and his brown eyes were bright with excitement. “Yay, we’ll have to keep to a strict six-week schedule to keep it looking sharp. I’ve got a little appointment app on my phone, want me to put you in?”
“Sure.”
Aleksander carefully logged the date and time into his device and thanked Kitchi again as he got to his feet. The exuberant raccoon embraced him tightly, and Aleksander bent to accommodate the eleven inches that separated them in height.
“Okay, Noir, it’s your turn,” Kitchi told her, and she hopped into the seat Aleksander had just vacated.
“How short are you going?” Aleksander asked his cousin.
“You kidding me? I’m not brave enough to do anything bold. All I want is a trim and maybe a few layers.”
