Page 28 of Crowned A Traitor
“Want anything?” Klara called out as she snapped off the lock and looked to Frendall who stayed outside the open door. “What’s his is mine,” Klara smiled and received silence in reply. She saw the red packets of Tayto cheese and onion and grabbed a bag. Frendall’s favourite to steal when they would raid the pantry as children.
Armed with treats, Frendall shook his head in dismay as she made her way back to the kitchen so the Doomed could return to their chores.
“It’s not all for me,” she said, and tossed him the small bag of Tayto. He caught it, staring at the red packet before placing it in front of him.
“Don’t worry, that body won’t go all soft after one bag,” the words escaped her before she could stop them. Frendall cocked an eyebrow, and his lips threatened a smile.
“That wasn’t what I was thinking,” he said, and she ignored the glint in his eyes.
“I haven’t had these in years,” Frendall said while Klara grabbed some sour patch kids from the centre of the table and a bottle of water.If a missing heart won’t kill me, dehydration will.
“Well, eat up,” she said awkwardly, sitting beside him at the counter. The pull of her chair startled her as Frendall pulled her closer to him. On instinct, Klara reached for her missing axe.
Only centimeters apart, she saw the confusion in his eyes. The fresh cut on his cheek had already sealed. Frendall’s eyes drifted to her lips, and she didn’t want to move. His arm slid around her waist, and the sensation both thrilled and scared her.
“What are you doing?” Klara asked, but his lips brushed against hers, and she stilled. Light and tender, everything he wasn’t. Frendall pulled back, and she felt his grip on her waist loosen. Frendall stood abruptly, and she gripped his shirt and leaned forward.
“What are you doing?” Frendall looked as startled as she felt, but she pressed her lips against his. This time he leaned into her, his lips firm and delicious against hers and she didn’t want it to end.
This was different for their first awkward childish kiss. Klara released his shirt from her fists, and her hands found his chest. His calloused hands caught her wrists, and he broke away from her sharply.
“What’s wrong?”
“We shouldn’t have…” Klara panted as Frendall paced the kitchen. “I knew it,” Frendall rested his hands on the counter, “that you felt more for me.”
“Was that what this was? Proving a point?” Klara asked, hurt and confused. “Two kisses in one night, you certainly know your way around Hell,” Klara spat and went to the door, but Frendall blocked her path, his hands raised in submission.
“Mila is nothing but a social climber, desperate for Lucifer’s favour.” Klara moved to the other side of the counter. “I would never lay a hand on her willingly,” Frendall said.
“What you do in Hell is none of my business, I don’t think one stupid kiss binds us for eternity,” Klara regretted her words as his hands dropped to his side.
“No, you wouldn’t. There is only one thing that occupies your mind.”
Klara swallowed as he closed the distance between them. His hand brushed her cheek, and the touch of her skin forced the words from his lips.
“I saw what you did to the Ghouls, the jewels concealed by the Crossroads Demon. All that chaos so you can escape to Kalos.” Klara felt her chest constrict.
“What are you talking about?” she said and stepped back from his grasp.
“I sensed you on Grimm’s path, followed you to the Beanstalk.”
“How dare you follow me?” Klara asked, and Frendall laughed.
“Our Heir is consorting with Crossroads Demons, and you lecture me?” Frendall ran his hand through his hair.
“I wasn’t, and I didn’t kill them for jewels. They were smuggling Humans in the Forest.”
“How can I believe you?” Frendall asked. “Why else would you hide the gems and now so much talk of the border.”
“Since your mind is made up, what was that? A goodbye kiss before you turn me over to the Queens and the King?”
He didn’t answer.
“Why were you even sneaking around the Forest?” Klara asked, but he dodged her touch.
“Are you planning on leaving?” He barked. “I have no idea what you are talking about? Hiding jewels isn’t a crime last time I checked.”
“I can hear your heart racing. I know when you are lying to me.”
