“What the?—?!”
The bottle of rosé slips from her hand and rolls across the floor, while a cat digs in with its claws, yowling with outrage.
Snow tries to pry him off, and I step back as fur and fury erupt around her head. I clench my fists to keep from grabbingthe animal. I have to shove down my urge to intervene. I don’t want to burn the creature.
Aurora rushes to help, which leads to more of a struggle.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let go. Good kitty,” she attempts to coo, but the cat is having none of it.
That isnota good kitty.
At last, the cat launches off poor Snow, landing on the coffee table with a disdainfulmrrreow.
Its fur sticks out at odd angles, as if electrocuted or bathed against its will. Maybe both. Hackles up, it hisses at all of us before darting under the couch.
“Lucifer! You absolute asshole,” Snow yells, arms flailing. “You ruined my shirt.”
The black band tee she changed into after her shift is now ripped in several places, though I have to say it looks rather deliberate and matches her torn black jeans.
Snow stalks over to the mirror hanging in the hallway to investigate the damage. Red welts have risen along her skin, and there are a few scratches mark her cheek.
“I swear I’m going to kill that cat,” she screeches.
Aurora kneels down to peer under the couch. “I don’t think your cat is going to come out.”
Snow’s nostrils flare as she whips around, stabbing an accusatory finger in the direction of the feline's hiding place. “Thatis not my cat. That little monster terrorized me and my former roommate for months, uninvited. He kept breaking in here to piss in her boots and attack me at random. Last I knew, the little demon had gotten himself trapped in the Midnight Realm, and I hadn’t seen claw nor fang of this little fucker for six blissful months.” She smooths her hair in an attempt to compose herself. “But I guess the little guy still has a hard-on for this apartment.”
“Lovely,” I say flatly. “You’re saying our new accommodations come with the cat.”
“‘Fraid so, big fella,” Snow says, patting my leather clad shoulder. “Whoa, you really do run on the warm side, don’tcha, hot boy?”
Aurora climbs to her feet and mouthshot boyat me, her lips twitching with barely suppressed amusement.
Apparently, Rap’s nickname for me is going to stick.
No one in the Realm of Roses even dares bring their gaze up to meet mine. Now I’m getting pats on the shoulder, inappropriate nicknames, and new furry roommates. All in barely acceptable living conditions for a princess.
A wave of exasperation washes over me, and I suppress a sigh.
Aurora’s eyes sparkle with amusement in response.
“You,” Snow says, nodding at Aurora, “are officially one of us now. Meet me outside Poison Apple at eleven a.m. We’re goth-glamming your ass before your first shift. You need combat boots and a choker, stat.”
“It’s already three a.m.,” Aurora points out, voice soft with suppressed laughter.
“Exactly. Sleep while you can.” Snow picks the wine bottle back up then makes her way to the door, throwing a middle finger toward the couch where the furry monstrosity still hides.
“Welcome to the club, new friends.”
I pretend notto notice the fabric of Aurora’s dress sliding down her body in the bedroom as I peel off my jacket, letting my bare chest and shoulders breathe.
I’ve seen Aura naked thousands of times, and in far more compromising positions, but something about the new environment makes everything feel more intimate. New.
Aura dons a silk sleep dress she brought in her pack, and we turn out the lights.
The couch is a lump beneath me. My shoulders are too wide for it, my body already overheating the cheap fabric. Thankfully, it’s fae made materials, otherwise I’d set it aflame.
Aura’s bedroom door remains open.
