“I don’t like lying anyway, but you knowing I’m lying makes it even worse. If it makes you feel better, I absolutely love mint chocolate chip ice cream.”
“Why lie about ice cream?”
I shrugged and walked to my door, “To be funny.”
“But why lie about that specifically?”
“You sounded irritated I was being honest and everyone loves mint chocolate chip ice cream so I figured if anything was going to trip you up, it would be that.” I said, hearing the door shut as he followed me out.
“Everyone but you it seems and it sounds horrible.”
“It is. It tastes like wax.”
We walked past the dining room Salem had pointed out last night and I guess I had missed something because I thought we were going to eat breakfast.
“Is breakfast over?” I asked, pointing to the dining room door that was now behind us.
“No, we were waiting on you. We take breakfast in the breakfast room.”
“Do we also take lunch in the lunch room?” I said, my tone full of sarcasm, but he answered simply.
“We don’t have a lunch room. Lunches are served on the terrace if the weather permits or the dining room if it’s not.”
I rolled my eyes, but didn’t comment. Breakfast rooms? Terrace? As someone who was happy to down a bowl of cereal while standing or stuff a breakfast burrito into her mouth on the way to class, it sounded ridiculous.
“So where are all the people who make a place like this run? You know, servants, maids?”
“I relieved a lot of them with pay after Abaddon started getting more dangerous. The ones that stayed on have their own quarters on the floor below this one.”
“I haven’t seen anyone aside from Charon.”
“That’s because they know how to stay out of sight.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but he had stopped and pulled a door open for me. It would seem we’d reached the breakfast room and I decided my questions could wait.
Jane and Tasha sat on one side of the table an empty seat next to them and on the other side was another empty seat and a blonde woman. I took the seat next to Jane, which was kitty-corner from the woman, leaving Salem to sit next to her and directly across from me. The blonde wore a pale pink dress that matched her lipstick shade and the glitter that coated her eyelids.
“You must be, Nyx.” Her voice was sickly sweet and I fought a cringe.
“And you’re Briella.” I almost tacked on a, “Nice to meet you,” but it was too early to start lying right out. The ice cream had been a joke. This, Salem would hear and even if I could mimic her voice, I doubt Briella would find me believable.
“Everyone’s been talking about how you’ve come to help. I don’t see how someone like you could do anything Salem can’t.”
I smiled as Fitz uncoiled from my wrist and peeked his head up over the table. I didn’t know if it was her tone, which implied that I was no better than the dirt on Salem’s shoes, or if Fitz could sense my automatic dislike for her, but his dark eyes stared across the table at her in a decidedly unfriendly way before he slithered up onto the table.
She didn’t see him at first, but when she did her eyes widened and her chair nearly toppled over as she pushed away from the table.
“Oh!” She squealed, “There’s a snake on the table!”
“He’s my vessel.” I explained, “and he’s hungry too.”
“He’s well behaved, Briella.” Salem added, sounding bored, like this kind of outburst happened often. “Sit down and let’s eat. I have a busy day.”
“You want me to sit down with that thing and her snake?”
Fitz hissed and I hid a grin.
“Yes. Or don’t and you can leave.” Salem stated.
“Why does she get to stay?”
“She isn’t preventing the rest of us from eating for one.” Tasha muttered and Briella’s eyes narrowed on her.
“He’s pretty!” Jane chimed in, “Can I feed him?”
Fitz liked compliments. He held his head a little taller as he slithered over to her and she giggled as she petted his head.
“What does he eat, Nyx?” Jane asked, looking up at me.
Usually, he survived on souls, but when we were younger, he’d eaten whatever I did. He liked sweets and if it came down to something filling or gorging on cookies, he’d pick the latter. I didn’t allow him to do it often though, it wasn’t healthy.
“A little of everything.”
Charon walked in then, wheeling a cart in with him.
I was a little nervous to see what was under all the different lids, but the sandwiches last night had been delicious so hopefully it wouldn’t be too bad.
I was glad to see their breakfast seemed to be the same as ours.
Bacon, eggs, toast, sausage, there were even pancakes.
Charon served Briella first, then me and then everyone else. I thanked him as he placed the food I’d chosen on my plate and Briella sniffed as if I’d done something impertinent.
When we’d all been served, Charon disappeared and I wondered what his role was here and where he ate. Maybe I could join him next time.
Joshua was notably absent and I wondered briefly if that was my fault. The little bit of insight Tasha had given me last night still had a light layer of guilt twisting my gut. I wanted to apologize. Always wanting someone’s praise and approval, forever thinking that would make them love you more, was a hard thing to deal with. Add never wanting to disappoint them and the bar was set pretty high. I should know.
That made me identify with Joshua in a way I didn’t want to, but couldn’t help.
I was going to ask Tasha where Joshua was when Briella started in on me.
“So, how long will you be here, Nyx?”
“I’m leaving as soon as the situation has been resolved.”
“And how long have you been a guest at the manor.”
“Not long.”
“Have you enjoyed your stay so far? The manor is magnificent.”
“I haven’t seen much of it.”
I was being purposely evasive and everyone knew it, including her. The more questions she asked, the less definite I responded and then she switched it up.
She stared at me as she reached for Salem’s hand, rubbing her fingers in slow circles over his knuckles, which she hadn’t noticed were white from the tight fist he was making. If she was trying to make me jealous or feel out how protective I was of him, she was going to be here a while.
“Salem’s very kind to be taking care of you.”
Instead of eyeing her or watching her fingers, I looked at him with a pointed glance.
“Yes, he’s shown me nothing but kindness since I arrived.” I said, having to bite my cheek to keep from laughing. Tasha used a cough to cover up her laugh and took a sip of water, but the most interesting reaction was Salem’s.
His lips twitched. The ends lifting the tiniest bit before fixing themselves back into an impassive line.
Mercifully, Briella started eating again and I turned my attention to Jane who was feeding Fitz little bits of pancake with chocolate syrup. His reactions were adorable, his eyes closing after each bite and then opening again when he wanted more. Jane cooed over him and Fitz liked that too.
“Miss Nyx?” Jane spoke up after Fitz had had his fill.
“You can just call me Nyx, Jane.” I said with a smile.
“Nyx.” She corrected, smiling back at me. “I was wondering if you wanted to read with me today?”
“I’d like that.”
“Jane, sweetheart,” Briella piped in. “I was going to ask Salem if I could take you shopping.”
From the looks that went around the table, and from Charon too since he’d started collecting dishes, I could tell this wasn’t something Briella would have even considered if Jane hadn’t been trying to make plans with me. But Jane’s eyes lit up at the offer. Even though I knew what Briella was doing, I wasn’t going to treat her as the pawn Briella was.
/>
Jane looked back to me, her bright smile dimming for a beat when she realized she had to pick one and I smiled at her.
“I have some things I need to talk to Tasha about. We can read when you get back. This way you get to do both.”
The smile was back and the joy accompanying it made my heart melt. “Okay!” Turning to Salem she said, “Can I go, Salem? Please?”
All eyes turned to him I caught the flash of anger in them. His jaw tightened as he took in Jane’s eagerness, but as quickly as it marred his features it was gone, long before I could decipher the reason.
“That’s fine.” He said, his voice tight, but his face smoothed into a mask of calm.
“Yay! I’ll go change.”
“I’ll help.” Tasha said, and I realized that she had picked up on Salem’s anger too. As Tasha stood, I watched Salem take his hand from the table, removing it from Briella’s reach.
Briella dabbed her mouth on her napkin as she announced, “I couldn’t eat another bite.” Looking to Charon to remove her dishes. She had barely touched the food, which was too bad because it was amazing. Charon took the cue while I shoveled the remainder of my food into my mouth. I wanted to get out of here, but I wasn’t going to waste what I had left.
Charon looked over at me and smiled, “Are you finished, Nyx?”
“Unfortunately. If I had room for more I would eat more but I’m going to pop a seam in my pants if I try.” I smiled when I realized I’d said the same thing as Briella, except I had been telling the truth. “Thank you, Charon. It was really good.”
“I’m glad you liked it, miss.”
“Do you need help doing the dishes?” I asked, “I promise not to break anything.”
Charon’s smile widened, “No, miss. The staff wouldn’t hear of a guest doing the dishes. I’d be lynched.”
“Not to mention the impertinence of a guest suggesting they needed help doing their job. They’d take offense.” Briella said, and in her tone, I could hear her smile, but it wasn’t kind.
Charon winced and I realized Briella was telling the truth. I hadn’t meant it that way. I didn’t know anyone that thought an offer to do dishes was offensive.
“Oh, I didn’t mean—” I started, looking from Charon to Salem and then back, but cut off my apology to quickly explain. “At home we switch off doing dishes. I wasn’t trying to be rude, I was just trying to help.”
Charon’s smile was back and he winked at me before he said, “I understand, miss. Think nothing of it.”
He cleared my plates and exited the room, but not before he threw Salem a glance that seemed to communicate more than words would have.
“Well, Nyx. It was so nice to meet you.” Briella said, smiling at me as she stood. I couldn’t say the same, but she knew that. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you.”
“Salem? Walk me out?” She said, looking at him and holding out her arm. He stood, threw his napkin down and walked out without taking it, leaving her to hurry after him.
Briella’s dress had barely cleared the door when it was pushed so it was only left slightly ajar and I heard Salem hiss, “What was that?”
“What?” She asked, feigning innocence.
“With Jane and Nyx.”
They were blocking me in and I didn’t appreciate it. I could go through the door Charon used, but I didn’t know if that would be offensive too. So, I decided to stay put and sip my water.
“I thought Jane might want to get out. She’s always stuck here. I thought it would be nice to take her into town.”
“You haven’t offered to take her shopping once in the months we’ve been seeing each other. Why now?”
“I was free.”
“Do not lie to me!” He growled, in a way that would have had me taking a step back, or several. Briella wasn’t a total idiot, because she did just that. The back of her dress came into view again.
“Fine, I don’t think she should spend time with Nyx. She isn’t a good role model. I don’t know why she’s allowed to stay here when I’m not. It isn’t fair.”
I couldn’t help it, a laugh escaped before I covered my mouth and prayed they hadn’t heard. I probably wasn’t the best role model, but this wasn’t really about my effect on Jane. It was about me getting a privilege she wanted and hadn’t gotten.
Salem didn’t take the bait, and I gave him some credit for that.
“Briella,” he snapped, not bothering to try to keep his voice down anymore. “Jane damn well better have a good time and if you ever use her like that again, it will be the last time you are allowed on the premises.”
The door flew back open with such force it hit the wall in the hallway and Salem met my eyes.
“Nyx, come with me. We have things to discuss.”
Was I in trouble too? I hadn’t been nice to him this morning and then I’d offered to do the dishes and pissed off his girlfriend. I guess if we were getting into it we could talk about him taking away my door last night. I still wasn’t happy about that.
I stood and he moved to the side to allow me to pass. I didn’t glance in Briella’s direction as I passed her.
“Salem!” Briella said, but Jane appeared at the top of the stairs and cut off whatever she’d been about to say.
“I’m ready, Miss Briella!”
Schooling her emotions, she tried to sound sincere when she spoke, but it fell flat. “I’m so glad.”
“Have fun, Jane.” I said, as Salem grabbed my hand and pulled me up the stairs behind him.
It was then that I realized he didn’t actually want to talk to me. He was using me to get to her like she’d used Jane. We were both pawns.
Hell. No.
I didn’t look back to see Briella’s reaction, but I heard the front door slam as she left.
I pulled my hand from Salem’s and stopped on the landing.
“Don’t ever do that again.” I said, planting my hands on my hips.
“Do what?” He was still angry, and as he turned to face me, his anger focused on me.
“Use me like she used Jane. It’s offensive.”
“I didn’t—”
“Oh, you so did. If you don’t like her, which from one meal I can tell you only tolerate her, why string her along?”
He looked like he was about to explode but instead of another refusal or a retort he bit out, “You are too observant for your own good.”
“Maybe, but that doesn’t change anything.”
“Briella is the least irritating of the women I have to choose from. I am expected to get married and have an heir. It’s one of the requirements of the position. I tolerate her because I can’t tolerate the others.”
Well if that wasn’t the saddest thing I’d heard in the past twenty-four hours, I didn’t know what was. If Briella was more tolerable than the rest, I hated to think what he’d been through with them.
“You’re telling me your other choices are worse than her?”
“Much.”
“Well…” I started, blinking in an effort to find words but there were none. “Shit.”
What was I supposed to say? Tolerating her because she was the least irritating didn’t give off the warm and fuzzies. Much like us finding someone to impregnate one of us and then taking off. For once, our situation didn’t seem quite as bad. At least we didn’t have to live with the person.
“Before you start to feel bad for her,” he ground out, stuffing his hands into his pockets, his eyes to the floor, “she’s using me for my title as much as I’m using her.”
I couldn’t help the smile that spread over my lips, “Salem, there is nothing in any world that could make me feel sorry for her. I do however feel sorry for you.”
He sucked in a breath that almost sounded like a laugh, “The truth again.”
“I’m sorry if it irritates you, but the truth is easier than lies.”
He said nothing, and I figured our conversation was done and I turned to head back down to the library.
I was halfw
ay down the stairs when he spoke, though it was low enough I wasn’t sure I was meant to hear it, “Not irritating, refreshing.”
✽✽✽
Jane did have a good time with Briella. By the time they got back, we’d already eaten dinner and I was glad because it meant Briella didn’t stay.
Tasha and I had gone through more books today, and I had to agree, the situation was dire. The more Tasha explained, the more I realized they had been out of options. Did I agree with the kidnapping and hostage part? No, I still wasn’t happy about any of that, but it didn’t take a genius to see all of them, Salem and Joshua included, were decent people. By the time we’d put the books away and Tasha had laid out a plan that seemed like it would work, I hoped I was a step closer to getting home.
Dinner had been what I assume breakfast would have without Briella. Tasha spoke to Salem about what we’d finished, and he seemed happy with our progress. Charon had even joined us, sitting down at the table while he listened to all of us talk.
“When Joshua gets back from the business Salem sent him on, we’ll go over the plan with him.”
“I think we’ve got it this time, Salem.” Tasha said, unable to keep her excitement from her voice.
“Let’s hope so.”
We had been walking out of the dining room when the front door had opened and Jane walked in with several bags on her arms and several more being carried by Briella. I’d followed Jane up the stairs, avoiding Briella at all costs.
I read to Jane while we put away her purchases and she giggled as I tried to do different voices for each character. I kept reading as she picked at the food on the tray Charon had brought up and then I tucked her in per her request.
I was headed towards my room before I realized that I was completely alone.
Peaking over the railing, excitement rocked my body when I saw the front door was in its place. I looked down at my pants, shoes and sweater, Fitz curled around my arm under the sleeve and saw freedom.
I could go.
I was down the stairs, across the entry and just about to the front door when my conscience caught up to my brain an inch away from freedom I froze.
Fury Page 6