Chapter 9 Chapter nine
CRYSTAL
Soft.
That was the first thing that registered when my consciousness pulled me back from the darkness I’d been drifting in.
Unlike the two maybe three nights I’d spent in that stinking and cramped place, this…this was something soft. Warm. Clean.
Was this what heaven felt like? Did I really die?
My own voice kept ringing back to me. My eyes slowly peeled open to see for myself just what heaven looked like, but the first thing I saw was a white, unfamiliar ceiling high above. The soft chirping of calling birds outside. Somewhere.
I don’t know what I was expecting, but I always imagined heaven to be a bit more…grand? Panic began to claw its way up my throat before I could even stop myself.
Where--?
I tried to sit up, but just like before, my body protested against it. Pain exploded through my nerves like I was being torn up. Every muscle on my bones, of which I was most certain that they were broken, felt like it had been beaten with a whip and stretched too far out.
The pain was incomprehensible, but still, I forced myself upright anyway, gritting my teeth against the agony. This wasn’t heaven, if it were, I shouldn’t be in this much pain, right?
The room spun violently before settling into focus. There was a large window with dark heavy curtains that blocked out most of he light, but let in a thin stream to slip through the cracks. A carved wooden dresser sat in a corner. The air smelt of sandal wood and wild flowers. An odd, yet strangely comforting scent that would have put me at ease if it weren’t for the strange circumstances that brought me here.
A throbbing pang hit me in the head and I touched my temple, nothing the clean bandage warped around it and my arms. Like someone had really taken their time to make sure all the wounds I’d sustained when I made my daring escape last night where taken care of.
My breath caught when I looked down at my body in panic, because not only had I been bandaged up, but someone had changed me out of those obscene clothes that were damaged. I was dressed in a white shirt that was far too large for me, the fabric was soft and clean, falling near my knees. And it smelt of the sandalwood and wild flowers. The same scent that permeated the air.
Who could have done this? Barron? No. It couldn’t be that monster.
Then who? The masked man?
Before my mind could truly spiral the door was pushed open and I flinched so violently I nearly fell off the bed. My hand flew up instinctively, as I could defend myself with bandaged palms and exhaustion-weak arms.
But the person who entered wasn’t what I expected.
He was…whistling. Actually whistling some jaunty, upbeat tune like this was perfectly normal morning for him as he pushed a trolley into the room that was laden with covered dishes that clinked softly.
But I just stared at him. Really stared, because he was handsome in an almost offensive way. Bright forest green eyes that caught the morning light. Long red hair he’d pulled back in a loose ponytail. A tall, lean build that moved with easy confidence. And if it weren’t for the tail that swished lazily behind him, I would have thought him to be another human…
He paused mid whistle when he noticed I was awake, then his pursed lips curved into a lazy grin.
“Oh!” his already bright eyes lit up. “You’re finally awake.”
I recoiled instinctively at the words as I pulled the covers against my body. Where have I heard those words before?
“Oh please, I didn’t mean to frighten you, Crystal.”
I opened my mouth but no words came out. How did he know my name?!
The strange…man, however, didn’t seem the least bothered by my silence. He just wheeled the trolley closer to the bed with that same east confidence and smile.
When he got closer, I took in his form clearly.
He had on dark pants. A white shirt with the sleeves rolled up his elbows. And a tacky apron that read ‘KISS THE DEVIL.’ in bold letters across the front.
What the actual fuck is going on here?
“I was starting to think you’d be asleep forever,” he said conversationally, like we were old friends catching up over ox brew coffee. “I didn’t think today would be the day you woke up. Still, I’m glad I brought breakfast.” he turned to the drawn curtains then squinted. “Or technically brunch. Yeah, let’s call it brunch. Coffee of tea?”
He was speaking a lot of things that confused me. Sleep forever? Brunch? Who was this person?
When I didn’t answer his question, he began pouring me a cup of tea instead then handed it to me. I still didn’t take it. But I finally found my voice, though it came out as a rasp. “How long?”
“Pardon?”
“How long was I out?”
He finally took a pause, stroking his chin thoughtfully with one hand, while the other held the cup of tea I didn’t take. “four days.”
four days?! I’d been unconscious for four days?!
“You look shocked.”
“You think?! Where am I?”
“Ah. We’ll you’re in the master’s territory.” he said it like it should mean something. But it didn’t. which master?
When I just stared blankly, he added, “All you need to know is that you’re safe here.”
“Who are you?” I demanded, trying to establish some authority over the situation despite the fact I was sitting in a stranger’s bed wearing only an oversized shirt.
“Aquila Spironolax, at your beck and call, m’lady.” he gave me a mock bow that was exaggerated and his tail did this playful swish behind him that would’ve been amusing under literally any other circumstance. “Your dashing Demonic butler, and personal servant to the aforementioned young.”
“I’m sorry. This is all so…”
“Wonderful?”
The demon butler’s smile never wavered. Even in my state of confusion on what was actually happening, he still looked chipper. A stark contrast to the ordeal I’d been through all ready.
He said I’d been out for four whole days, but it still feels like that night had just happened, and any moment from now I’d wake up in that place…the cold of the slave establishment biting at my skin, except this time, nobody came.
“Oh my, you don’t look too good.” Aquila’s brows drew together as he picked up the tea again and sat at the edge of the bed. “I know it’s a lot to take in right now, but trust me, you’re in capable hands.” he purred softly as he held the cup to my lips.
My skin tingled at the sudden closeness and my breath caught a bit. He was truly handsome. A handsome devil. But his scent. It was different. I didn’t know what it was, but it wasn’t the one I woke up to. I dropped my gaze to the cup in his hands to see my own reflection in the brown brew.
I looked terrible.