The stone floors are cold beneath my bare feet, sending shivers through my body with each step toward the palace kitchens. At least, I think this is the way to the kitchens. The moon is covered by clouds and isn’t doing much to pave my way. There’s a staircase around heresomewhere, and I hope my eyes adjust before I find it byaccident.
I can see better in the dark than before my transformation. This space is just so large and unfamiliar, and the shadows from the statues cause me to keep looking over myshoulder.
“This world might seem like a paradise,”Ruby’s words echo through me,“but it has threats, the same as any—it would be wise to becareful.”
At the time, I thought she meant the rigid social hierarchy, but now, wandering through the castle in the dark, I worry those threats might be more …tangible.
Shadows play against the wall, and my imagination runs wild with monsters and men that could be lurking behind the pillars—and you know what? Who needs snacks? Not me! No, this was an awful idea. I will suffer ’til morning, if I can figure out my way back to the bedroom, that is. I pivot and slam into the nearest thing—which happens to bebreathing.
Awesome.
Light laughter tickles my ears, along with a gentle and familiar heartbeat. When I raise my head, I’m greeted by Moth’s toothy grin, amusement dancing in his ruby eyes. He’s shifted back to his human form, and despite the harsh shadows that play across his face, he looks so much softer than the hulking creature who had been playing the piano.
“Just who I was hoping to find,” he whispers. He holds a candelabra in one hand and a plate of sandwiches inthe other.
“It looks like we had the same idea.”
He holds out his hand, and the flickering candles dance between us, igniting sparks deep in my stomach. Why are we fighting again? The flames cast yellow light across his strong cheekbones and make his eyes look like burning embers. This man is a painting come to life—moody and misplaced in this world of cream and pastels, and yet just as beautiful.
“You’re so pretty. Have I told you that lately?” I ask, reaching up to stroke just under his chin. He leans into my palm, like a cat who has been waiting all day to be stroked.
“I could stand to hear it again.” And there’s the smile again—that coy look with just a hint of pointed teeth.
I love him. I love him so much that my whole body aches to havehim close.
“You.” I kiss him, a quick peck on the lips that catches himoff guard.
“Are.” Another kiss, and he smiles against my lips.
“So, so,sopretty.” I flutter up to him, so we’re face to face and rest my forehead against his. “And I’mso sorry.”
“As am I,” he whispers, his hot breath on my skin. “It has been torture keeping myselffrom you.”
“Shame your hands are full,” I tease, running my finger up the middle of his chest where his shirt billows open, revealing just enough of his chest to make me ache. It’s not lost on me that he’s still holding a plate of sandwiches in one hand, and the other holds a candelabra he’s carefully holding away from our flush bodies.
“Do not think I would not cast these things aside and carry you through fire and glass toour bed.”
I swallow hard, imaging flames licking my skin and the crash of shattering glass. But louder than any desire is the sound of my stomachgrowling.
“Real talk though, I would actually really like some of those snacks… and more than that, we should probably talk, right?”
“That can bearranged.”
We flop onto the bed, a platter of sandwiches and fruit between us. We exchange apologies and kisses, both as life-giving as oxygen. I don’t know how everything got so thrown off—but I’m glad we’rehere now.
“You said you wanted to talk.” Moth stiffens in his seated position, his wings tense.
“Honestly, I just want to apologize. I can’t imagine what you are going through, and I was pushy and defensive, and … I’m sorry.” I shake my head until my hair is a curtain in front of my face.
“I was also not at my best. I apologize.” He shifts in his seat, pulling back my makeshift hiding place so we’re looking into each other’s eyes. “I would like to tell you more … about whathappened.”
“Oh, Moth, no. Isodid not mean to make you feel rushed. If you’re not ready—” I stop when his firm hand strokes up the middle of my back until it reaches the base ofmy wings.
“Iam ready.”
“Okay, okay, if you’re sure.”
“It is an unsavory tale.”
