Page 8 of Finding Her
I sucked in calming breaths as I accepted defeat, content to have put up a fight. Having a “fuck-off” attitude was my only means of defense as I came to realize that—much like those outside of this house—he was the predator in the room. I didn’t have claws or fangs. I would offer him an appropriate amount of gratitude and trust as he proved his intentions, but until I knew more about my strange host, he was to be reminded that I bite when in a corner—even if my teeth weren’t as deadly as his.
“I don’t like the blonde,” I stated defiantly. “Do what you want to it.”
His brows tilted in on themselves, and the emblem on his neck melted back to a soft orange. “You should wash your hair so it’s wet.” He looked down at my feet. “Would you accept assistance getting upstairs?”
I scowled. “I can walk.”
I stood painfully, ready to storm out of the room and find some air in a space devoid of his turmoil. As I turned the corner of the couch, I felt a soft hand gently grasp my wrist and twist my arm. Graysen stared down at the bloody marks left from when he yanked me from the door, a look of devastation shadowing his face. His eyes grew wide, his mouth gaped wordlessly, and a wet sheen covered the cool gray under his dark lashes.
“Faeryn.” His voice was hoarse. “I-I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s barely a scratch.” I pulled my arm from him. “Next time, use your words.”
Dripping from my bath, I opened the tall, narrow cabinet in search of the black robe Graysen suggested I wear for the dyeing process. It was made of a soft terrycloth and smelled clean, although smoky.Everythingin this house smelled just a little smoky, and it was easy to connect the dots now that I had seen him summon fire into his hand without getting burned.
I shrugged on the robe and felt it hang loosely on my shoulders. Clearly, it had been tailored to fit his wide frame. I assumed it was meant to come down to his knees, given it rested an inch or so above my ankles. The inside was lined with soft cotton, and for a moment, I considered staying in this rather than his dress clothes. If only it didn’t keep threatening to reveal my breasts as it shifted with my movements.
I looked around for a trash can to put the bloody bandages from my feet in, with no luck.That’s fine, I’ll leave them on the sink. After our prior interaction, I was no longer desperate to be the perfect, considerate guest. If he was going to make decisions for me like I was a child, then I would act like one. I couldn’t suppress the bitterness that brewed as I looked in the mirror one more time at my shining blonde hair. After two baths and a full night of rest, it looked so healthy. Even if he was telling the truth about the dangers it posed, it was easy to resent him for the change.
“Are you ready?” Graysen’s voice was calm as I rounded the corner into the living room, holding onto the belt of the robe for added security. He had seen me naked once, that was enough.
“How are we going to do this?” I replied, observing that he had spread out a large sheet in front of the now extinguished fire.
“Come sit with me.” He patted the ground in front of himself. “I’m going to rub my ash through your hair. It should leave enough of a tint.”
I hesitated for only a moment before walking over and lowering myself with my back to him and my legs crossed in front of me. Every stubborn and defensive bone in my body protested, but my mind was set. If this was my key to existing in the outside world safely, then so be it. This was a small price to pay to avoid house arrest or getting eaten by a local.
“May I touch your hair?”
I scoffed. “Sure.” It wasn’t like he had left much room for negotiation earlier.
“Can you say ‘yes’? I don’t want to do this without your consent.”
“Yes, Graysen. Go ahead. It’s not sex, you don’t need to be so weird about it.” Why was he making everything difficult? I had the distinct feeling that if anybody else had found me, things would have been far morenormal.
His large hands rested on my scalp, and I felt a grainy powder being slowly scrubbed into my damp roots. His fingers massaged my head in large circular motions as they worked the ash everywhere, before focusing on one strand at a time. I felt my shoulders relax. Fuck, that feels almost… good?Now was not the time for pleasure to hijack my emotional state, but I couldn’t help but melt a little at the soft sizzling and firm grip.
“It doesn’t have to besexfor me to care how you feel about something.” His voice turned gravelly as he stroked a thumb over the nape of my neck. “It’s a part of you, and I’m sorry I have to be the one changing it.”
I didn’t expect an apology, nor did I particularly want one.
“Why did you say you didn’t like the blonde?” he asked, discontent marking his tone.
Because I didn’t want you to think I was affected by this.“I don’t have any particular attachment to the color. I thought it looked like straw the first time I saw it.”Before I washed it, I thought that. It was pretty when I woke up.
Despite my resentment for the whole ordeal, I fought a moan as his fingers ran behind the backs of my ears. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been touched pleasantly. Although that wasn’t saying much, considering I couldn’t remember the last time I’d experiencedmostthings. I tried to remind myself he was just dyeing my hair and that was it, but it felt overwhelmingly intimate having him grasp the base of my neck while his own ashes exfoliated my skin.
“Why ashes and not hair dye?” I asked, trying to distract myself from the contented noises that were threatening to escape my throat. I had to focus on projecting my words, at risk of sounding listless.
“It’s illegal to sell hair dye here.” I heard him scoop up another handful of soot from the fire that he started rubbing in mid-strand.
“Ah.” For a moment, I was sad his warm palms had left my head to work further down the length of my hair, the occasional knuckle brushing against my back wasn’t nearly as relaxing. “How puritan. Why?” He said nothing for a long moment, only running his hands through my hair.
“It’s complicated,” he finally sighed.
“Of course it is.”
“I’m almost done, it seems to be taking. While it sets, can I get you anything? Food? Water?” He changed the topic, signaling he would not be explaining the complications.
