Chapter 276: Hanging topics
The night was kind and quiet. The type that allowed even whispers to travel with the voice of nature.
Arabella did not wait for the meeting between Persephone and Ada to be done as Silas escorted her back to her room where Allegra awaited.
The vampiress helped her with everything before walking her to Silas’ room.
"You no longer need to knock," was the first thing he uttered upon welcoming her inside, "From now onwards, consider it your room as well,"
The young woman gave a sheepish nod, her cheeks seemingly struggling to hold steam from escaping.
The second thing Silas’ diamonds fell upon was the sheet or white fabric she held in her hands.
A thin smile accompanied his features, "Will you be changing right away or later?" he asked.
"Perhaps later," her gemstones locked on the nightgown she carried too.
"There is no rush,"
Silas held out his hand and when she took it, he guided her towards the thick curtains dividing his room into two spaces instead of the lounge chair.
The moment her feet crossed its threshold, her entire body froze, her irises fixating the... Elephant in the room; the bed around which most of his sculptures had been rearranged.
Brand-sparkling new, much bigger than the one she’d been sleeping on since her arrival, its frame standing a tad bit higher than she’d been accustomed to.
"I’ve had it delivered and installed this very morning," he stood right behind her, a warm and gentle hand on her back, "More furniture will follow, of course. I’ve never had much need for anything other than a closet and shelves for my creations,"
"Oh...," her eyes kept on flickering between corners and objects as her lips opened and closed several times in under a second.
When no words from her followed, Silas quickly added, "This doesn’t mean you have to move in tonight," his thumb went up and down, stroking her back, "It’s just a step I wanted to get out of the way,"
"Right," she murmured.
Her legs finally responded to her will and took her near the bed. Shy, reserved steps as though the still piece could come to life at any moment.
First, her hands connected with the immaculate, cold sheets topping the mattress, feeling its soft, thin texture with her bare skin before pressing on the squishy surface.
"It’s quite comfortable," she smiled warmly.
"As you may have guessed, I never was the expert when it comes to beds and mattresses, so I’ve tried to order one of similar quality to the one you’ve been using in the guest room," he paused before continuing, "The bathroom here isn’t that different from the one you have if not for the size of the bathtub,"
"That makes sense," she nodded.
"I’d like to do some more carving if you are not too tired to sit with me,"
"I am alright to, yes,"
She left the nightgown she brought on the bed and followed him back through the curtains.
Silas sat at his desk while Arabella went straight for the lounge chair.
The two of them enjoyed the comfortable silence that had fallen between them before Arabella felt the need to break it, "Would you like to hear some poetry as you work? I’ve read some new pieces,"
The vampire did not stop his doings and moved his tools around when answering, "To be frank, I wanted to speak with you on many topics that still hang unfinished,"
The young woman straightened her stance and turned her body to face him as much as possible while still seated, "I am all ears,"
"First, there are the obvious little things such as the spring equinox celebration which happens in less than a week. Cynric was quick to accept your proposal and has extended an invitation to Liriel. It is safe to say the fairies were ecstatic to learn that the celebration will happen in the caverns as is tradition,"
"That is wonderful," the smile on her was kind.
"The syndicate is quite happy with this turn of event as well, but they think it was I and my mother who convinced Cynric which upsets me quite a bit," Silas picked a slab of wood and settled it in front of himself.
"Why?" her expression turned cautious.
"Because if it hadn’t been for you... We would’ve been stuck with yet another conflict to solve and more blood would have been shed," he paused for a second and swayed his head in her general direction without fully looking at her, "I do not like the fact that you won’t be credited for your contribution,"
"It is necessary," she grimaced with an apologetic smile, "If the syndicate learns of the writings, they’ll try to evict the wolf folk from the caverns which will trigger a conflict either way,"
"I know," the vampire took a deep breath, "The second thing I will mention does not bring me any joy either as it concerns Katherine. Morgana has given no sign of coming any time soon and her condition doesn’t leave me hopeful,"
The young woman’s fist clenched around the fabric of her gown, tightening by the second. Although the words to comment on the last topic did not come.
"And finally, since its inception, my family has built, sold and maintained multiple businesses. My mother insists on handling our silver mines so I haven’t touched it. Then there is the northern horse trading which you’ve already seen. There is also merchandise trading. You’ve seen a glimpse of that one when we traveled to the island," yet another deep breath before an even deeper exhale, "I’d like you to get acquainted with them and pick one you think you can handle,"
"Pick... One?" her eyebrows didn’t fully knit together as they seemed frozen in place. Her mouth never closed entirely either.
"Yes," he looked at her, "You are part of the family now. You don’t have to work a day in your life if you wish not to, but I’d like you to at least remain involved,"