Page 152 of The Grand Duel
But I also don’t think Lissie deserves to be left waiting.
I can’t quite stand the idea of it.
“I think if you can give her something, even a small part and explain there’s things you’re not ready to share just yet, and then give her time—because she will be hurt, and we can’t just shut that off—I think you’ll be alright.”
“You know, this might actually be good advice.”
“Charles, please, where do you think us girls learnt it? I’m glad you came to us for help, but it makes me kind of sad. You always know what to say and do.”
“I’ve lost my head with her, Megs,” I admit out loud. “I’ve never been so off my shit.”
“I can tell,” she says. “It’s exciting.”
“Don’t get excited. She hates me right now.”
“She’s asleep in your bed,” she corrects. “Go fix it.”
“Thank you, Megan.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll be home in a few weeks to see everyone. Be kind to yourself, please.”
We hang up, and I let out a long exhale.
When I look down and see the group chat has one hundred and three unread messages, I shake my head, leave the group, and head upstairs for a shower.
Lissie
I wake at the feel of something being draped over my shoulders. When my eyes flutter open and I see the bottom of Charles’s bed, his bedroom beyond, and his open door…I startle and go to sit up, only a hand on my back stops me.
“Lissie.”
I catch sight of Luna and place my hand on her as I turn and look over my shoulder. Charles is stood beside the bed, his hair wet from a shower.
“I’m so sorry,” I rasp, my voice groggy from sleep. “I had to shower because of the blood, and then when I came out, I sat down for two seconds with Luna. I must have fallen?—”
“I know,” he says reassuringly. “It’s fine.”
I allow myself to wake up fully and run my hands through my wet hair, wondering what I must look like. “I’ll leave. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want you to leave.” His eyes plead with me. “Please, don’t leave yet. I’ve ordered you dinner. You must be starving.”
I am. But that doesn’t mean I should stay here and eat his food.
I nod reluctantly, sliding from the bed and standing. Luna stirs, looks up at us, and then settles back down. “She’s so sleepy.”
“They said she would be.”
“I know,” I say. “I just hate to see her so…”
“Not herself.”
I look up at him and nod.
“Come downstairs. Our food should be here within the next half hour. Are you warm enough?”
I remember what I’m wearing, and a fresh wave of mortification washes over me. When I was done in the shower, I went to his walk-in wardrobe like he’d told me to. I quickly picked out a plain black T-shirt, slipping it on with my cream trousers before going to sit with Luna.
I look ridiculous, but better than I did covered in blood.