Another whole day passed as the travelers from Sumoia and beyond slept away their exhaustion. The snow had continued to fall lightly. The sun had fallen dim in the dismal grey sky as Clara awoke, and realized Mallach was already gone.
Thoughts of the night before came back to her, and she felt sick as she went to the outhouse to relieve herself.
As she left, Mallach came back in, looking for her.
“Woman!” he cried, walking to the middle of the cabin. “Where are you? Everyone is waiting for you at a restaurant down the street, and you’re nowhere to be found!”
The back door opened, and Clara came in, her hair curled around her face.
“What are you yelling about?” she asked, yawning.
“I came to get you so that we can eat. Octavious says it’s impolite to start dining without waiting for everyone to be there.”
“I apologize, your majesty.” She spat back, turning her back to him, tearing her nightgown off and reaching for her corset.
She struggled to tie it up. Mallach’s stomach growled impatiently.
“Here, let me help you.” He said hastily, and started tying the strings up far too tight.
“You’re hurting me!” she cried, facing him and pushing him away.
“Stop complaining. You can breathe just fine, Siren.”
She hit him in the shoulder.
“I can breathe just fine, but what about my ribs, you ass?”
He sighed heavily.
“Let me try again. I’ll be gentler this time.” He replied. She glared at him, and after a moment, turned around again.
He laced up slowly this time, and she felt his fingers were trembling.
“Why are you shaking so?” she asked, fiddling with the front of the corset.
“I’m afraid of hurting you, now.”
Clara then felt extremely bad. He finished up, taking his hands away from her, and she hugged him suddenly.
He hugged her back, feeling her sag into him. He let her relax, and then her stomach growled like a wild animal.
“Hurry up and dress,” he replied, “lest your stomach comes to life itself and eats me for dinner.”
Clara laughed, finding her dress and pulling it over her head quickly.
As they walked out the door, Mallach inquired if she was having her monthly visitor, and was promptly pushed into the snow.
YOU ARE READING
Siren
FantasyClara Reilly has been banished from her home by her half brother, Edward. Leaving nothing to chance, Edward hires in advance a deadly assassin known as "Orcus". What neither Edward or Orcus knows is that Clara is half Siren - and carries the curse o...
