Chapter 10 Chapter ten
“Hah, are you worried that it might be poisoned?” Aquila suddenly asked and I looked up from the cup to meet his eyes and a warm blush spread across my cheek when I realized he’d been watching me.
“No. I--”
“Let me clear your doubt then,” he said with a low purr that almost sounded seductive as he brought the cup to his mouth and pressed his lips against the rim.
They looked soft against the cup as he took a sip. Really soft…
“There.” he pulled it back, running his tongue against the rim of his bottom lip.
How could such an innocent action look so…hot?
My eyes dropped to the writing on his apron for a second. ‘Kiss the devil’.
‘No. Crystal. Now isn’t the time for such. Neither is it the place.’
A smooth chuckle erupted from his lips, drawing my straying thoughts back to him again. “See. Nothing to worry about.”
This time when he offered me the cup, I took it. Held it steady in my hands as the warmth grounded me.
“If you’d like, we could give your hair a nice trim too.” his long finger curled around my dark hair as he inspected it closely. His charisma made it hard to think clearly even through my panic.
“I need to leave,” I said. The words came out firmer than I felt them. “I need to get back to Covenant City.”
Aquila’s expression shifted slightly, and he let my hair slip through his fingers. Not quite a frown, but something close to pity. “Hm. That might be difficult right now.”
“Difficult? What do you mean?” My panic began to surface again. “If you truly mean me well, it shouldn’t be difficult for you to understand why I need to leave.”
I think my sharp words must have stunned the demonic butler, because since I’d awoken, this has had to be the most I’d said to him that weren’t small huffs or blank stares. His tail flickered once, then he stood to his feet with that infuriating smile.
“Eat first. Then we can talk about difficult things later. The young master will soon be back from his hunt.” he gave me a short bow before turning to leave, but my arm instinctively reached out to grab him, while the other still held the cup of tea.
“Wait…” I hated how my voice cracked.
“Aren’t you bashful?” he smirked down at me and I blushed, letting go of his arm.
“I get it.” his voice gentled, losing some of that playful edge. “You’ve been through hell, I’m sure. But I promise you, nobody is going to hurt you here. If we wanted you dead, we would’ve left you in that forest.”
His blunt words hit me harder than any reassurance would have, but he was right.
“The masked man,” I said slowly. “Is he…your master?”
“Yes. He was the one who carried you back.” his answer was smooth. “He’ll soon be back. You can meet him properly then.”
My brows knitted together again. Not once had he used his name. Just young master. I hated the mystery. But there was one more thing I had to know,
“Did you…” I looked down at myself again. The clean shirt. The bandages. The fact that I’d been unconscious and vulnerable for four days. “Did you dress me?”
“Heavens no.” Aqyila looked genuinely scandalized and I felt utterly embarrassed, but it was only natural to think that way. I didn’t know where I was or how I’d gotten into these clothes. “We had Miridath take care of your…private needs. I promise you, no one did anything weird while you were out. Sorry, we haven’t had time to get you proper clothes yet.”
That should have been reassuring, but honestly, it just made me even more wary.
“Why save me? What does he want with me?” I whispered.
Aquila was quiet for a moment, then his face went stone cold, no smile, or play. Just a seriousness that made me slightly uneasy. “To be honest. I wanted to leave you there…”
“What?”
“It’s nothing personal, but humans are troublesome,” he said seriously. I wanted to open my mouth to protest, because how dare he look like we were the problem in this world? But the look in his eyes said otherwise and it would be better for me to keep my thoughts to myself this time around.
“The young master has lived a solitary life already. He’d been hurt so much, but still, he saved me, and I’ve vowed to protect him with everything I have. I couldn’t tell you what he was thinking half the time though…” he paused. “But something about you made him consider bringing you home.”
He moved towards the trolley and lifted one of the silver covers. The smell hit me immediately and I remembered just how hungry I was. “So, save your questions for when you’re not running on empty, yeah?”
His smile returned when my stomach growled angrily at me and I winced at how loud it sounded in the room.
“And if you’re worried that this might also be poisoned,” he picked up a piece of golden toast a deliberate bite. “See? Not poisoned.” he finished it in one bite and sucked the tip of his finger, relishing the taste of the bread that still lingered. “Justo delicioso.”
Despite everything, I felt the corner of my lips twitch. Almost a smile. Almost.
“Eat as much as you want. If you still need more, or anything else, push that button.” he pointed at a small button on the wall beside the bell. “I’ll be here faster than you can blink. There’s a bathroom over there too in case you need to freshen up. I’ll ask Miridath if she can find you some proper clothes that fit. Although, I must say, that shirt looks stunning on you.” he winked bashfully at me and I frowned, pulling the covers around my body tightly.
“Thank you. You may leave me now.”
“You sure?” his grin widened as if he was expecting me to tell him to get in bed with me. And somehow, I felt he wouldn’t object to it if I’d asked.
I stared at the food. Then at him. Then the closed door behind him.
I was stuck here. In a stranger’s house with a stranger’s rules. And an even stranger man. But at least I wasn’t in a cell. At least I wasn’t with Barron.
At least I was alive.
“Yes. I am certain.” I smiled for the first time. It wasn’t a big smile like his. But enough to tell him that he could leave
me be and he did.
“All right then, I’ll leave you to your affairs, princess.”