A Court of Stars and Memories

48. Relentless Teasing

Mitsi blinked her eyes open and cringed at the brilliant sunlight filling her bedroom. She rolled over with a weary groan, throwing an arm across her face. "Lysander was right," she mumbled. "I feel awful." The thought of even attempting to get up was revolting, and thinking about flying all the way back to the Night Court, even more so.

Mitsi sighed again when someone pounded on her door before granting themself entrance. Estelle crossed her arms and peered down at her with a wicked grin. "Mikael was right."

"Right about what?" Mitsi grumbled.

"He said Aramis and Orion have been tripping over their own feet and throwing up half of the morning, and Eira refused to leave her hut, so you couldn't be doing much better."

"Wait, Eira didn't come back to the palace last night?" Mitsi managed to prop herself up on an elbow, though her headache spiked with the movement.

"None of them did. Aramis stayed at Orion's hut and Eira went to the one she usually stays at. I'm honestly surprised you're here and not with her."

A blush crept into Mitsi's cheeks as memories of last night came drifting back, some blurry and others as clear as day. "Lysander brought me," she admitted.

"Ah. I imagine he'll be wanting to leave soon. You should get up."

"That seems impossible," Mitsi complained, twisting onto her back.

Estelle just laughed and dragged her off the bed by the arms. "Come on. I'm sure you want to clean yourself up before leaving."

Mitsi's head sloshed as she forced herself to her feet, but she didn't protest when Estelle led her into the bathroom. The female ran a tub full of water for her, then slipped back into the bedroom. Mitsi sighed and peeled her pajamas off. She settled into the tub and quickly scrubbed herself clean. Her thoughts spun with memories all the while.

She blushed to recall everything she'd said to Lysander last night and how she'd behaved after he brought her back to the palace. She couldn't believe she'd asked him to help unlace her clothes! Mitsi's heart warmed with affection when she remembered how he'd turned away the rest of the time, however.

She rinsed soap from her hair, then gasped and buried her face in her hands. "Mother spare me," she groaned. "I said I wanted to kiss him. What was I thinking?"

But...he'd agreed to it, hadn't he? And she hadn't actually kissed him. Not on the lips. Mitsi exhaled a heavy breath and swallowed. She knew immediately after asking that he wasn't ready to kiss her. She'd seen it on his face. His hesitation and doubts. That was why she'd merely kissed his forehead.

And she was barely awake when he left, but awake enough to notice that he'd kissed her temple in return, and whispered something too. My Heart, he'd called her. Surely that meant something, even if he wasn't ready to act upon it?

Mitsi smiled faintly and finished with her bath. She dried off and pulled on her undergarments, then returned to the bedroom while combing her fingers through her hair. She blinked in surprise, finding her satchel already packed and waiting on the bed. Her leathers were spread out beside it, and there was a small breakfast set on the table before the fireplace, but there was no sign of Estelle.

Mitsi's smile grew and she dressed quickly before stashing her pajamas in the satchel too. She turned to the breakfast next. Food didn't sound very appealing at the moment, but perhaps eating something would make her feel better. Mitsi sat down and looked over the spread of oatmeal, toast, and fruit. She forced herself to eat a few mouthfuls and thankfully, each one went down easier than the first.

She was feeling slightly more like herself by the time she finished. Mitsi rose and cast a quick glance over the room, making sure nothing had been forgotten, then grabbed her boots. She slung her satchel over a shoulder and made her way out the door.