Page 33 of Kill the Queens

"What the fuck, Shelby?" She rubbed at her shoulder, sitting herself up. In the fall she'd hit her boots and they'd fallen to their side next to her.

"Who am I to stop you from getting out of bed?" He scrubbed at his face, speaking through his fingers.

"I didn't mean to wake you up." Not yet at least. She would have probably woken him up sooner or later to get the day started, just not while he clung to her in such a way.

"You didn't." He squinted into the sun that was coming in. "I mean you did but it wasn't because you got up or moved. I felt your nervousness or something like that. I'm not really sure, I was sleeping."

This whole him feeling her emotions sometimes thing was really not going to work for Ace.

"That's annoying." She snorted. Shelby's brows pinched together, so she continued on. "You get to know what I'm feeling all the time even if it's some weird little glimpse at it. Meanwhile, you’re a locked box of secrets and distrust. I never know what you're thinking."

"A locked box of secrets and distrust?" he repeated.

Ace nodded, narrowing her eyes at him.

"I'm not even going to comment on that." The bed frame groaned as he threw his legs over the side and began sliding hisfeet into his boots. Ace followed suit and when her shoes were laced up she stood and walked to the window.

Outside their little room was a view of the street. They were far enough up that she didn't think they had to worry much about people peeking in to see them but the closed curtains had been nice.

"Didn't we close these last night?" She rubbed the thin burgundy material between her fingers.

"What?" He looked up at her. There was only about a foot of space between them now. The orange in his gaze looked a little brighter than she remembered and she wondered if that was just something that happened in the morning or if her mind was playing tricks on her.

"The curtains. Didn't we close them?"

"I don't know."

She sucked her bottom lip under her teeth chewing against the soft flesh.

You're sounding a little paranoid,Greshta tsked.

Can never be too careful, Sylik said.

Oh, so you're back to talking now? Great. Super. Love that.

We are never gone long dear, Greshta reminded her.

She's too nosey for that. There was a rumble of laughter from Sylik.

Ace sighed and let the curtain drop. She walked across the room to the door and shook the handle to make sure the lock was still locked. It was. When she turned back around Shelby had tossed the blanket back across the bed and was tugging it neatly into place.

"You know they make the beds for you right?" She leaned into the door, her stomach rumbling far louder than she'd have liked.

"Excuse me for being helpful." He rolled his eyes.

A silence stretched between them, neither of them wanting to talk about what they were planning on doing today. Or maybe what they planned on doing ever. Another day wasted. Another day the queens got to live. Ace wondered how the events they'd been missing were going.

"Want to get some food? I think I saw a little diner down the road." She pointed behind her and gave him half a grin. "It's on Petu."

"Sure. I've got to drop the key off with the front desk girl before we go." He patted his other pocket, the reassuring sound of jingling coins coming from it. Had he slept with all that in his pockets?

What's the plan for today, Ace?Greshta asked even though Ace was certain the gods already knew. Weren't they supposed to be all knowing or something?

Ignoring the question, Ace opened the door and gave a quick peek down the hall. Empty. Now she really was being paranoid. She kept her gaze sweeping back and forth even as they made their way down the creaky stairs and into the small dirty lobby. She made sure to flick her hood up over her face before reaching the bottom.

Shelby set the key down on the desk, startling the girl who seemed to always be sleeping, before they left the small hotel and went toward the diner. Several horses were tied up on a long post outside the building and many seats inside were already taken, she realized, as they looked into the windows.

Ace allowed Shelby to step in front of her, leading them into the restaurant. The first thing that hit Ace was the sweet smell of pancakes. Saliva flooded her mouth. It had been far too long since she'd been able to steal a sweet treat from Ishaan. Man, she was missing Maipeg and its desserts extra today. Maybe after this was all over she would return to that city and find a way to really make it her home.