Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
I stepped aside and furiously tried to keep from crying.
“It is a true warrior, a strong soul, who can endure so much pain,” Ivy House said, solemn for the first time I could remember.
“Just this way.” I motioned him toward the left, into the rarely used front-facing sitting room. In the corner, I showed him where the hidden latch to the secret door was. “This gets you into the veins of the house. The interior hallways. They are a maze, but don’t worry—Ivy House will direct you. Just tell her what you need, and she’ll guide you.”
The blue glow from the magically powered lights went out, and then one by one they turned on, the movement showing the way.
“You can get in from a lot of places.” I motioned him in and closed the door behind us. “Your room has an entrance. Anywhere in the house, just ask Ivy House where to get in, and she’ll pop a door open for you.”
We went up the stairs, around and up more stairs to the previously seldom-used third floor. The lights directed us, and I was quiet so Sue could get accustomed to the hush and the eerie blue glow. Slowly I let him take the lead, following the lights, letting Ivy House guide him. He was putting a lot of trust in both of us, and I wanted him to know both house and heir were in this with him.
At the far corner, an area I’d only been in once before when I was exploring, the lights all clicked on. A wall stood in front of us, perfectly matching those around it. I stepped around him and slowly put my finger on a decorative element. Without a word, I moved away.
He balanced the boxes in one hand and put his finger on the area. It clicked and the wall fell away, as though it hadn’t been there.
He glanced at me.
I went first. The lights clicked on in a little circular space that was fairly bare.
“I had Mr. Tom bring up some tools for you.” I motioned at a toolbox on the floor. “There is a hammer and nails and various picture-hanging things in there. You can hang the pictures wherever you want. If you want.”
I turned to survey the bench pushed against the wall.
“The seating isn’t great. It’s been here for…ever, I don’t know. Mr. Tom took away the cushion. It wasn’t fit for purpose. But I’ve told Mimi to order a couple chairs. We couldn’t do a couch because…we weren’t sure how to get it in here. But you’ll have better seating if you want to hang out. They’ll recline so you can sleep if you want. And an end table or two for heavy drinking. No judgment. Mr. Tom gave her the size of the space, so she’ll outfit it for you.”
I walked through, checking surfaces for dust. Mr. Tom had done a great job sprucing it up.
“We can get shelves, too.” I glanced back at him. His face and body were stoic. “Whatever you need. Just let us know.”
I clasped my hands in front of me, tears threatening with the way he held those boxes. With the knowledge that he’d had to move his family again. He’d had to choose his pack over his family yet again, taking them from his home. Back to not having a home.
“They can stay here forever, if you want,” I said, a tear breaking free. I wiped it away quickly. “This can be their space so you can visit them and remember them. If something should happen to you, they will live on here, protected by Ivy House. Watched over in your stead. They can outlive you here. Ivy House will make sure no one touches them.”
I wiped another tear away.
“Or maybe that is presumptuous,” I rushed to say. “Maybe you’d like something closer to your room until you can go home—”
“No,” he said, his voice gruff. His bearing stayed the same. “I expected a cubby in which to put a couple boxes. This is beyond—” His voice broke and he paused for a moment. “Thank you. This is perfect.”
“Okay.” I headed for the door. As I was passing him, I stopped and put a hand on his arm. I didn’t know what to say, or if I could say anything at all without crying. All I could offer was a simple touch to let him know I was here for him. Forever.
Aurora
“You’re needed.” Mr. Tom’s strangely strong grip took hold of Aurora’s upper arm. “This way, please.”
He pulled her away from the kitchen counter, making her drop her half-eaten sandwich on the counter.
Tristan waited at the doorway to the main sitting room, his expression hard. His gaze tracked her coming toward him.
“Get him down to Indigo,” Tristan told her. “She’s here.”
“What’s the status?” Aurora asked Mr. Tom as he essentially manhandled her up the stairs. She let him. It was easier just to go along with things where he was concerned.