“Oh,” he says.He coughs.He takes another step back.
After bending at his waist again, he hurries from the room.As soon as the door shuts behind him, I sag against the wall with a sigh.
Dang that was close, but it’s a good thing I’mgetting a lot better at this lying stuff.
Pushing myself back upright, I head into the bathroom to grab the open jar of chillies.I put the lid back on it, then hide it underthe sofauntil I can see what’s in the box the guy brought me.
He said it was a gift from Richard.But why would you give a gift to someone you’re planningto execute?
My stomach twisting with nerves,I stare at the bouquet of shrooms for a very long time.They’re teal, with flowing, curving tops rather than the stereotypical dome.Small dark-purple flowersare arrangedin bunches between their folds,andtall stems of silverbellflowersrise gracefully above the shrooms.Tying it all together is black grass.
Doeshe know teal is my favourite colour,or is it just a coincidence?
Reaching down, I pickup the bouquetandbringitto my face.A smile dances on my lipseven as tears press behind my eyes.A hopeful future dances so callously out of reach.
Lowering the bouquet, I start to toss it back down on the table when I realise there’s a card inside.
Swallowing, I pluck it free.
For you, my queen
Despite how busy he must be today, getting everything ready for the ball,he tooka moment out of his day to write to me.That damnsmile twitchesat my lipsagain.And this time, agiddiness fillsme too.
Shaking my head, I put the card back.Who’sto say it’seven his handwriting?I’venever seen it before.Heprobably had the shroomist do it.
Walking away from the gifts, I stop in front ofone ofthe windows.The tree’s basked in the soft glow of dusk.Despite living my entire life in the forest, my breath still catches at how gorgeous this time of day is.When the sun caresses the landscape, like a lover telling it good night.But not good bye.Never good bye.AnI’ll see you in the morning.
Suchbrilliant hope those rays bring.Such soft kisses of light.
Turning back to the coffee table, I chew my lip.
The beauty of Aurelia’s Library comes back to me.The way Jace said her name.
Hope.
Such bloody hope fills me.
Walking back to the table, I reach for the box.I tug the bow free, lift off the lid, and gasp.
Another handwritten card staresback at me, and itis, without a doubt,his.
These are for you.
Choose to wear them or not,
but the toy is non-negotiable.
Swallowing, I place the card on the table and lift out the dark-purple dressinside.It unfoldswith whispers of sin and promises.Two thick black belts wrap around its middle, and sewn into its black corsetisa galaxy ofamethysts.
I suck in a ragged breath as Iholdit up to my chest.It definitely wasn’tNicholaswhopickedthisoneout.Looking back in the box, I pull out the shoes – black strappy heels withamethyststuds.My size.
But it’sthe jewellerythatsnagsmy attention.A leather choker necklace with the symbol of Raza inthemiddle: aravenkillinga snake in its talons.Matching earrings with dark-purple gemstones makingup the snake’s bodysitnext tothree black bangles and a ring.Thesearen’tthe sort of gifts you give someone youplanon executing.
They’rewhat yougiveyour wife.
“My queen.”
Fingering the amethystsin the choker, I imagine what a future here could be like.Toe-curling, hot, and sexy forsure.But maybe also kind.And soft.And… loving.
