Page 92 of A Whisper of Cinders

She wraps an arm around my shoulder and guides me to the doors where Aramis waits for us. I see his coat and realise I don’t have mine with me. I’m about to say so, when he hands me over the coat that was definitely in my room. “How did you…?”

He smirks. “Magic, of course.”

Right. I feel like everything that will happen from this point on will somehow be blamed on or explained by magic. I put on the coat and walk with the two siblings out the warm embrace of the building.

To my surprise, Siri joins us and Neoma, the girl I saw earlier too. Along with Aramis’ friends, we form a nice little group and I didn’t know I needed this.

We walk for a little while, following a path I haven’t yet walked on before, until we are suddenly surrounded by cosy wooden houses, some big, others small where the centre snow free path leads to a now frozen fountain.

Ami suggests we go window shopping, since there are many little shops in every street. Unsure of where to go, I follow the girls and see that the men are walking in the opposite direction.

“We’ll catch up with them later, they’re going to grab a drink.”

I’ve never drank alcoholic beverages before, it’s not something they had at Anima and even if they did, the patients weren’t allowed to drink them. Although I could’ve used it many times before, I’m sure.

As I let myself get pulled in the shops, browse through everything they have to offer and see things I would love to have, I realise I’m actually having fun. And when I’m convinced we’ve seen every shop there is, my feet start to ache and night has fallen, night stalls pop up around every corner with even more things to admire.

They have stalls where you can buy food. I opt for something that’s called tartiflette, a dish with potatoes that smells like old feet but tastes divine.

And although most of these people — fae — are strangers to me, they are kind and genuine and show interest, trying to pull me into a conversation which I’m so grateful for.

When the thought of food makes my trousers rip and I’m starting to feel a little tired, we go back to our rooms. I wave the men goodbye and nearly run to my room, the tiredness suddenly overwhelming. Ami gives me a quick kiss upon the cheek and asks me if everything is okay. I nod and explain I’m tired, to which she advises me to get some rest and not do other activities. Whatever that might mean.

The silence of my room welcomes me, I’ve had fun, I really did, but my social battery has run low. My bed is calling my name and I head into the bathroom and change into my silken pyjamas.

I’m lifting the covers, ready to get in when a knock sounds at my door. I sigh, but get up either way.

“Ami, seriously I’m fine, I just need to get some rest and —”

But it’s not Ami standing in my door opening.

It’s her brother, leaning against my door frame, an intense gaze set in his forest green eyes.

“Aramis? Is everything alright?”

“Hi, yes, all is good.”

What is he even doing here?

“Did you forget something?” I ask. “Or did I?”

He nonchalantly rakes a hand through his golden waves. “No! No, that’s not it. Not at all. I just…I had to see you.”

But we just saw each other like, ten minutes ago?

“Alone.”

Why would he want to see me in private? His eyes fall to my lips and it answers my question.

Oh!

I’m frozen in place, unsure what to do.

“May I come in?”

Since my mouth doesn’t seem to cooperate, I nod and open the door so he can enter. A male. In my room. Alone. What is this world I am living in?

I close the door and turn around, faking nonchalance and spontaneity. Brave, like the women in my books. Leaning against the door sounds like a good idea, one of them did as well. I cross my arms in front of me, but it only pushes up my breasts and I become aware of how little I am actually wearing. Again.