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Her tension eased significantly, though she still felt a void late at night when she was alone in her cottage. The house seemed emptier than normal since Darien’s departure. It was a familiar feeling, one she’d experienced after her parents’ deaths. One she knew would eventually ebb. To an extent, at any rate.
She played cards with Lisette at the tavern when she wasn’t serving drinks. Lisette had become a regular and Jade suspected that had something to do with the older woman wanting to keep tabs on her, just like everyone else. Even Michael seemed to watch her more closely.
Apparently, she gave off a vibe that intrigued or alarmed her friends, she wasn’t sure which. Maybe it was because she wasn’t as uptight as she’d been previously, when she’d realized she was being followed. Or perhaps it was the occasional smile that crossed her lips for no reason at all—at least none that they knew of. Thoughts of Darien would flit through her mind and she couldn’t help the thrill that chased down her spine. At night, when she was alone in her living room, she wore his necklace.
Granted, there was something a bit sadistic about the guilty pleasures she indulged in when half of her heart was elated to know he had such strong feelings for her and the other was shredded by the fact they couldn’t be together. Yet she’d spent so much of her life under a dark cloud that this one significant and sexy secret she kept to herself offered escapism from her otherwise gloomy thoughts.
Darien wanted her. She didn’t doubt that for a second. He couldn’t have her, of course. But still… Just knowing she’d affected him so profoundly had its own provocative impact on her.
Near the middle of the month, as Thanksgiving approached, Jade heard horses tramping through the deep snow outside her cottage. Along with what sounded to be a wagon attempting to slog through the thick drifts. She peered out one of the large front windows, looking around the lightweight curtains hanging over the panes. Her curiosity grew as she opened her front door and greeted Morgan.
“In the village for supplies?” she asked as she eyed the burlap covering a heap in the wagon. She knew the kingdom had its own suppliers and vendors, so she was at a loss as to what he was up to—until he spoke.
“No. Making a delivery.” He slipped from the bench and signaled the demon who accompanied him. He said to her, “Why don’t you go back inside where it’s warm? We’ll just be a few minutes.”
“Hmm. Planning to remain secretive, I see.”
“Do I have permission to enter the cottage?” he asked. “Just me.”
“Neither you nor the king are required to ask permission, but thank you for doing so. Yes.” She returned to the sofa where she’d been reading Alice in Wonderland, though her focus wasn’t on the text. A flurry of activity ensued around her in such a lightning-quick way she couldn’t have kept up with it if she’d tried.
True to his word, Morgan was finished not even ten minutes later and appeared by her side. “Why don’t you come have a look?”
She joined him outside, where his assistant had stacked at least three cords of wood adjacent to the cottage. He’d also erected a canopy to provide shelter so the provisions stayed dry.
“Wow,” she said. “That will last me quite some time. Thank you both.”
Gazing at the large pile caused a long-buried memory to inch toward the front of her mind. She’d received this generous gift before. Years and years ago…
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sp; “One more thing,” Morgan said, distracting her. He gestured for her to precede him back into the house and to her bedroom.
She drew up short, her eyes widening. “Oh!”
In the middle of the room sat an enormous bed that faced the fireplace. The tall headboard was made of tufted suede in a blue hue that matched her eyes, which her mother had always referred to as sapphire. The cream-colored sheets were luxurious satin. A mound of plump pillows were also covered in the same linen.
The duvet matched the headboard, and was so thick, she knew a down comforter filled it. She ran a hand over the soft material as she marveled at the brilliant color that instantly added vibrancy to the otherwise dreary interior of her home.
Darien had clearly remembered her excitement over Sheena’s offering of clothing that wasn’t drab.
“How did he do this?” she muttered in awe.
Morgan chuckled beside her. “He has people.”
She smirked at him. “I realize that. It’s just… This is so gorgeous.” The sensuous-looking bedding made her want to climb under the covers and never leave them.
Morgan said, “It’ll be a lot colder come December. Darien wants you to be warm.”
“Perfectly toasty is what I’ll be. Please tell him how much I love it. And I’m grateful to you and your helper too. Really, General,” she gave him a compelling look, “this is so kind of all of you.”
“Morgan,” he corrected. Then he turned sharply to go.
But the memory that had stepped into the light earlier made her call out, “Wait, please.” When he faced her again, she steeled herself and said, “You told me months ago that not all demons are evil.”
“Yes?” His expression gave nothing away.
“My mother used to say that very thing.”
