Page 45 of For the Ghastly and Beautiful

Chapter13

Adelaide

DAY THIRTY-FOUR

Awash of cold air replaces the warmth against my bare back. I turn to the opposite side, silently observing the Mongrel prince as he ties the drawstring on his lounge pants. The flexing of his shoulders causes me to sigh.

Ecaeris glances at me, shaking his head despite the daring smirk darkening his features. No words are shared between us, though his expression speaks volumes.

The soft click of the closing door is the finality this chapter needs. It reverberates around my empty room as we turn the next page. He’ll be back, but for now…

He’s gone.

It doesn’t surprise me or even hurt my feelings. But I hope… Just hope.

That he finds his place beyond royal duties.

That he confides in his friends.

That he learns to stop denying himself basic wants.

It’s a lot to ask for, so again, I hope one last time. For baby steps.

I wouldn’t ask anyone to change, but when it’s so glaringly obvious that he wants to, it’s hard to overlook. He needs someone to push him out of his comfort zone, and I can help with that. If he lets me.

A push for a push doesn’t sound like a bad trade.

After a quick bath, I change into some of the new pants Isolde has made and a corset-style bodice that cinches my waist while still being modest in the cleavage area. The fashion loving queen also sent up a new pair of sandals. Ones without the shin armor. They’re so light on my feet that it takes me a moment to adjust to the difference.

I leave my room, tugging my hair up as I skip down the hall. I’m brimming with joy, unable to contain the excess energy as I take the first level of the stairs two at a time. William Battlerain has invited me to help him in the cellar again. And while Connak isn’t thrilled at being roped in, I love the familiarity of the task.

But I suspect Will understands that better than most.

I stop short in the middle of the staircase, instantly on alert as my stomach knots. Poko Blackwater is standing at the bottom, his foot poised to climb. His hand tightens on the banister as he glances to the left. Then his head whips in my direction as he takes one step backward.

I fist my hands at my sides, my smile turning fake and forced as I contemplate why he’s here. He has no reason to come to Ecaeris’s wing, much less touch these stairs. So, why is he hovering, looking as though he’s a deer caught in the headlights?

I put both of my feet on each step before moving again, though I still leave two between us. He’s out of reach, but that doesn’t mean anything.

Why does he make me so antsy?

“Good morning, Ada,” he says while tipping his head. “I was hoping to find you. I believe I didn’t make such a great first impression, and I was thinking we could talk while I escort you to Talodus.”

That is my answer. He wants to be a nice guy, just not the good kind of nice guy. He plays this role the same way I use being meek and quiet. It’s a tactic, and it’s one that I notice easily now that I’m paying attention.

“I’ve been trying to apologize,” he continues when I don’t speak. “But you’ve always got company.”

“Trying to apologize for what, exactly?”

I inch down the last two steps, hoping he’ll back up, but he doesn’t. He stays firmly rooted to his spot, blocking my safe descent… Unless I brush against him to get by, which I won’t do. I smile through my anxiety, though he doesn’t seem to notice how strained it appears.

He rubs at his right ear, keeping it between his index and middle fingers. “I’ve found you in the village a few times, but you’ve had Rinya with you. I didn’t want to talk to you in front of them.”

“Them?” I parrot, latching onto the slip.

“Her and the villagers,” he corrects, grinning at me. “I thought that might make you uncomfortable.”

I almost scoff at his choice of words