Page 27 of Brighter Than Gold

“So flustered.”

“I’m not flustered!”

I chuckled. She whipped her head around to see me failing to stifle a grin as I stared up at the ceiling. “I told you I should sleep on the floor.”

“Shut up.”

“As you wish, Princess.”

“Don’tcall me that.”

I stretched and sat up on the bed, running my hands through my hair to crudely brush back the wayward curls.

There was a gentle knock on the door, and I flew across the room. “Don’t move.”

Reyah turned and watched the door cautiously.

We heard the sound of a key entering the lock, and the deadbolt scrape free. Verosa pushed open the door, looking immaculate in a too-tight green dress.

“Good morning,” she crooned. She stepped aside for a lady wearing an apron to pass through the door with a large tray in her hands. The woman put the tray down on the table and collected the one from the previous night.

Without another word, Verosa began to shut the door again.

“Wait a fucking second,” I said, reaching out and stopping the door with a hand.

Verosa paused. “Yes?”

“You can’t keep us locked in here.”

A smarmy look laced across her face. “I can.”

I took a breath, settling my urge to answer back.

“Lazio will be down to see you in a few hours. Enjoy your breakfast.”

I released the door when she pulled it closed. The deadbolt clinked back into place before Verosa’s footsteps echoed down the hall.

Reyah slumped back down into the bed. A few hours before Laziomightlet us out? Wonderful.

The smell of the hot food wafted over to Reyah, and her stomach groaned with hunger.

“Come eat, I heard that from here.”

But the Princess was choosing to be stubborn, she wanted to stay in bed and refuse to eat.

“Reyah…” I coaxed. Finally, she swallowed her pride and pulled herself from the bed. She wasn’t the only one to consider now.

She sat at the table and pulled food onto a plate, tasting little bits of everything. There was a pot of coffee too, and she greedily poured herself a tall cup.

After a few heavy forkfuls she looked over at me. I was leaning against the door with my arms crossed over my chest, and ignoring my body’s own desire for the coffee.

“Aren’t you going to eat anything?” she asked.

“Not until you’re finished.”

Reyah rolled her eyes at me. “What if I finish the whole tray?”

Brat.“Then I’ll be happy you ate.”

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