AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nox rises onto his forearms and stares down at me. His gaze is unreadable. But his blood tells me of his nervousness to leave me.
“I’ll be here until the last possible second,” he says. He brushes back a lock of my hair, and I lean into his touch. “Tears? For me?”
“For your cock, but yes.”
He barks out a laugh. “I’ll have to ensure you have use of it again in the future.”
“If not, I’ll find another,” I say with a teasing lilt to my voice.
“I know.”
“What?”
He makes a soothing noise and caresses the side of my face. “I know I’m not the only man to love you, but Iamthe only one whose love you actually return. That’s enough for me, Adelaide.”
“I…” I bite the inside of my cheek, ruminating on that impactful—and possibly insightful—statement. “I don’t understand.”
“You will. Now, I’m going to hold you. First, to fuck you again. The second time, to sleep.”
CHAPTER16
ADELAIDE
Nox is gone when I wake up the next morning.
I clutch my chest because of the void that’s taken up residence there. It’s an ache, a pain that I’m not familiar with, and I don’t know how to fix it. Maybe there isn’t a remedy for this emotional wound.
The melodious voices from the day prior reach me through the open window of the bedroom and I slide from bed to investigate. At finding myself sore between the thighs, a smile tugs at my mouth. Nox said goodbye quite thoroughly.
I’m still reeling about that and him talking about me taking on another lover—though I can’t act as though it hasn’t crossed my mind. What was meant to be a joke turned into something else entirely. He talked about that as though it was fact, without being resigned or jealous. Perplexed is not a strong enough word to describe the mindfuck he slapped me with.
So, I ignore it.
Avoidance is a defense mechanism I’m adept at employing. It’s the reason I didn’t ask Nox any questions about the time he sent me through the portal. I’ve already learned so much about my past, and I’m barely coming to terms with it. Knowing who I killed before I left Wonderland is going to remain a mystery until I’m able to handle the answer.
As of now, I can’t.
The notes from a slow melody grow louder the closer I get to the windowsill. I push against the glass pane and lean over to scout the area below. There’s a greenhouse in the shape of a gazebo.
Curiosity prodding me, I head to the bathroom with the intent to get dressed so I can go outside and visit the conservatory. My shower is quick, regret coating me when I use soap to wash Nox from my skin.
After I’m finished, I search for the dress from the night before. That’s preferable to the green hospital gown I arrived in. When I can’t locate it, I head for the armoire. The mahogany wood piece reminds me of the coat closet leading to Narnia, and I grasp the brass handle to pull open the door.
Within lies a full wardrobe of women’s clothing.
There are dresses in all the shades of the rainbow, all of them vibrant with color, each more beautiful than the last. One evening gown is soft and elegant, like the silkiness of a butterfly wing, while another’s fabric is as delicate as I imagine a cloud would be. Some of the garments shimmer as if wet, metallic and shimmering.
I select a blue dress. It’s structured with a long skirt that flows to the ground in a smooth material that catches the light at every angel. The satin is cool against my skin as I slide it on, and a set of stockings with blue ribbons complete the outfit. After digging through one of the drawers inside the armoire, I slip on a pair of ballet flats.
Everything fits as though it were made for me.
If this was any other place besides Wonderland, I’d question it.
I’m careful to open my door as silently as possible, not knowing the time and if Baxter is still asleep. My steps are soundless on the carpet and I take my time walking to the stairs while enjoying viewing the paintings along the way.
“There you are, little bird.”
Lucien greets me from the foyer at the bottom of the staircase with a devilish grin. His waistcoat is a ruby red, covering a white shirt that has a sharp collar and flared ruffles at the wrists. His overcoat is the same red hue with oversized gold buttons, and his pants are the color of a baby fawn. He’s not wearing spectacles, but his old hat is ever-present, sitting on his head at a rakish angle.
