Chapter 3
Arran
Deciding to occupy Bodin’s vacated seat, Katie makes herself comfortable on the low-backed armchair across from Calla and Annamae.
She quickly fills us in on Audrey’s imminent arrival, her theories that lead to this unexpected situation, as well as sharing her opinion on where Starry Hill’s newest temporary resident can stay.
“How about Aurelius’s place? He’s always the first to remind us that his home is big enough to accommodate one more creature.” The subtle insinuation in Katie’s voice almost has me reassessing my stance on hosting guests in my castle.
Maybe I’m reading too much into the suggestion, but Katie is well-known for her dismal attempts at matchmaking.
After Katie fluttered into my castle with the news that Tilly needs Bodin, the big orc rushed out of our housing meeting with nary a second glance.
In the monarch fairy’s defense, she did try to explain that it had nothing to do with Tilly or the twins’ health, but Bodin was out the door before she had a chance to finish the full sentence.
Why does it bother me so much if Audrey and Aurelius are paired together? It’s not like anything happened between me and the fiery human when she stayed here.
An image of Audrey’s scarlet lips flashes through my mind, the numerous fantasies I’ve had of them pressed to various parts of my body since the last time she was on the island flitting behind my eyes so quickly that a groan builds in my throat.
I swallow it and fold my arms across my chest as I lean back in my seat.
No matter what, Audrey definitely can’t stay with me again. It’s way too dangerous to have the temptation of her so close.
My jaw tics as I look around at the rest of the housing committee sitting in my darkened parlor and the way they’re actually considering Katie’s proposition as a viable option for Audrey.
“Do we have any other available spots for her?” Annamae asks as she conjures up a posy of roses. She smiles sweetly and arches a brow at me as she arranges the flowers in the empty vase on the table.
My eyes lock on the ruby-red petals, their rich and velvety floral fragrance caressing my senses, reminding me of a scent I have no business thinking of while I have company over.
“I know Audrey said it’s only temporary,” Annamae continues, “but we have to consider the rate at which our lovely human ladies have been falling in love with Starry Hill creatures. If Audrey just so happens to follow the same trend, she might never want to leave us either.”
The casual statement rips me out of my rose trance, and I quickly cover my choke of surprise with a cough.
Who would Audrey be falling in love with? It most certainly can’t be Aurelius.
Pierre, Starry Hill’s grocer and perhaps the grumpiest creature on the island, leans forward. “She could stay in The Winged Apple’s attic.”
Fuck, is the gargoyle throwing his hat in the ring too?
Calla’s earrings clink as she shakes her head. “Generous offer as that may be, Pierre, I hardly think a young lady with so much life would want to live between all the bric-a-brac you’ve accumulated in that stuffy room.”
I nod absentmindedly along to Calla’s fine observation. I don’t know Audrey well, but it’s not difficult to deduce that a dusty attic in the middle of town would not be her cup of tea. She’s way too vibrant to be contained in such a small space.
Neither will Aurelius’s spare bedroom suffice for her. For some reason, the thought of Audrey taking up residence with either the flamboyant mothman or the grumpy gargoyle makes my skin itch.
We are, however, low on other options. Never before have I felt the weight of the island’s housing shortage as I do at this moment.
Katie forges ahead with another appeal for her candidate.
“Since Aurelius is spending so much time at Peregrine’s place, his cottage is practically empty.
But,” Katie drags out the conjunction, her wings giving a tiny flutter of excitement, “if he were home, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind the company.
Those two, or three, could even have some fun together. ”
My back stiffens as an odd sensation one could almost liken to jealousy—almost but not quite—flits through me. Despite my best efforts to thwart the feeling off and remain present in the conversation, it lingers, nipping at my heels, pushing me to find a better alternative for Audrey.
I ignore Calla’s inconspicuous glance in my direction and swiftly rearrange my scowl into something more neutral.
The discussion about Starry Hill’s housing shortage continues as a buzzing sound fills my ears, and I graze a sharp fang across my tongue, hoping the slight sting will anchor my feet and keep me from pacing.
Bodin has been leading the construction team through a couple of smaller projects over the last couple of months, but as far as I recall those are nearly done. If we could start work on a new cottage soon, then Audrey wouldn’t have to wait too long.
Maybe she could even stay with Bodin and Tilly until then? That would eliminate any kind of dick-measuring contest between Pierre and Aurelius.
Though, come to think of it, Audrey’s wicked smirks and intelligent eyes tell me that neither of those two would be able to keep up with her if she even deigned to give them a chance.
Me, on the other hand… No, I couldn’t. Shouldn’t. Wouldn’t.
Seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, I meet my committee’s gazes.
“Bodin is almost done with the extension on his cottage for the twins, and Pack Morgan’s additions are also complete.
We can now shift our focus to building new cottages.
If Audrey wants her own and is patient enough to wait for one, then she’s welcome to have the next completed cottage as her new home. ”
Calla reaches over and pats my knee in a motherly way, despite me being about three-hundred years older than her.
“That’s kind of you, Arran. But the poor girl still needs somewhere to stay until then.
I can guarantee you that she’d want to be out of Bodin and Tilly’s home sooner rather than later. ”
Annamae’s bracelets jingle as she points an agreeing finger at her friend.
“Not only is their couch not a viable solution until a cottage is ready, those two would want some ‘alone time’ before the twins are here, if you get what I mean,” she adds with an unnecessary wink.
“Nothing kills the mood faster than having family in the next room.”
Pierre crosses his arms over his chest, his big gray wings flaring slightly. “Well, what do you suggest she does until then? It’s not like we can magic cottages out of thin air within a week.”
Katie claps her hands together, her eyes shining brightly as she looks around the room. “Can you imagine if we could? It would make life a lot easier. The island would be teeming with all kinds of creatures, houses popping up wherever we want. We could be our own little city.”
I shudder at the thought. Thankfully, everyone else looks equally appalled.
Calla takes a fortifying breath as she turns to me, her eyes soft as she takes one of my hands between her spindly fingers.
“I hope you don’t take offense to this suggestion, but, as the founder of Starry Hill, and her cousin’s closest neighbor, and the creature with the biggest home, it could be nice if Audrey perhaps stayed here, with you?
In an unoccupied wing of your castle? Temporarily, of course. ”
I go absolutely still, nearly ceasing breathing as everyone turns to me, waiting for my response.
Replaying the moment she walked into my foyer and patted my chest, the feel of her hand on me, confident and unafraid before she sauntered upstairs, I…
No, Audrey can’t stay here again. The temptation would be too great.
Someone like her, so vibrant, so fragrant, living with me?
It’s impossible. I’d be constantly ravenous for Audrey.
For her zest for life, for her touch, for her blood.
It’s been decades since my last dalliance with a human, even longer since I’ve drunk directly from a source.
The lure of Audrey is stronger than anything I’ve felt in centuries, and this is the exact reason she can’t stay with me.
If I say yes to Audrey living here, what else would I have to agree to in the future?
Would my home become some kind of an inn that creatures will use whenever they want?
Turning it into a bazaar of sorts, constantly bombarding me with noise throughout the day when I try to sleep, filling it with various scents and creatures until I no longer feel at home in the sanctuary I built with my own hands.
Though, opening my home to this single human, providing Audrey refuge in her time of need… I guess it could be a kind thing to do, if I can control myself.
I scrub a hand over my close-cropped hair and bite down on my tongue as I process Calla’s suggestion, ignoring Annamae’s expectant gaze as she adds another, much larger, rose to the posy.
A couple of months ago, Charlie the werewolf stayed here until we got the apartment above The Bandaged Heart fixed up for him.
Neither of us seemed to be comfortable having the other in his space—something about the territorial nature of vampires and werewolves—but we managed well enough, all things considered.
If Audrey lived here, I’d need to put certain measures in place in order to avoid her as much as possible.
The castle is big enough that days could pass by without us seeing each other, if we were to stick to our respective wings.
Plus, considering she’d be keeping daytime hours while I’m intrinsically a night owl, it might just be possible for us to coexist without much interaction.
However, would Audrey even want to live here, with me?