44
A Dream House
Touring the house is entirely overwhelming and altogether wonderful.
There’s a half-finished and torn-apart potions workshop—suspiciously similar to the one made for me in Elite Hall.
“This is where we got most of the supplies to make your potions room,” he admits what I’d suspected. “We’ll put it all back together eventually, once things settle and it’s safe for you.”
Downstairs, there is a beautiful open kitchen and living room that looks like it was taken straight off my modern Gothic Pinterest board. Black cabinets with golden fixtures and massive cathedral-style windows. Like if Dracula were alive and—wealthy—today, this would certainly be his aesthetic.
“You have a mixture of styles going on here,” I joke, thinking about the loft and entryway, which still scream basic beach house.
“Hey, I told you not to judge. I’m not finished.”
I smirk. “It’s incredible. Really.”
He beams at my compliments and ushers me around to more and more of this incredible house. The living room has dark walls, but there are books and plants sprouting everywhere. So many books on every surface. The couch is emerald green. And the wooden shelves behind it hold another few hundred books.
Somehow, there’s also an entire volleyball court on the bottom floor of the house. I’m so overwhelmed by this point I can barely register how insane it all is.
Jarron seems to sense this because he curls an arm around my waist and guides me back into the main living space. I flop onto the green couch beneath the beautiful books and plants while he strides to the kitchen to brew me a cup of tea.
“It’s amazing,” I tell him.
“I’m glad you like it,” he murmurs, setting the hot mug between my hands and sitting beside me. “I do think I’ve had an easier time of it than some of the past Orizians. That Pinterest site you use was practically made for this. So easy to know exactly what you like and bring it to life.”
I cough on a laugh. “So, you did you use my Pinterest boards?”
“I would be a fool not to.”
I lean into his chest on the couch. He shifts and folds one leg up to allow me to recline against him. “We can go back upstairs for the night.”
“You have to go back to Oriziah.” It’s not exactly the response he’s expecting, but that truth just kinda hit me. For a little while, reality just didn’t exist, but my mind spins through so many things. “And Lola and Janet will be concerned if I just disappear.”
Are they already searching for me? Hearing stories about Jarron exploding on Manuela.
“Laithe has been in contact with them.”
I suck in a breath. “Oh. Okay.”
“And I do have to go back to Oriziah soon, but this—you—are easily the most important thing right now. I wouldn’t even be capable of leaving right after this.” He squeezes me.
“They need you.”
“And I need you. My family and the courts will have to manage another few days.”
I frown, sipping at my soothing hot tea. “I could go with you, or is that not helpful?”
Jarron tenses beneath me. Whatever that emotion is, I can’t get a read on it, though. “We have a lot of things to discuss. Like this plan of yours with Beatrice and how we’ll manage our next steps, but we don’t have to decide all of that right now. We’re both overwhelmed and tired and high on this wonderful feeling. I’d like to not get ahead of ourselves and enjoy it.”
I nod against him. “Okay,” I whisper, eyes suddenly very heavy.
I take another gulp of my tea and set it on the coffee table, unable to help another glance around the intricately decorated room. This place doesn’t even feel real.
Without having to tell him that I’m ready, he scoops me up into his arms and carries me through the house and upstairs to our bedroom, purring in contentment the entire way.
45
