Glass Dominion

Chapter Eight

Can you hand me those spices?" asked Vanya as she tossed together a mixture of something that was supposed to add diverse flavors to our plain, everyday eggs.
     She knew spices and flavors better than the rest of us, Nolan especially. From what I'd heard, I was fortunate to have missed the small meal he'd prepared the week before.
     "When we get rich and live in Cordolium, I'm never eating eggs again," Nolan commented while watching the pan of eggs as they cooked.
     Vanya forced a smile off of her lips. "I want to try a big juicy steak. With some beans and potatoes. Can you imagine how delicious that would be?"
     My mouth was watering just thinking about it. "I want to try all kinds of vegetables, they look like they'd taste so cold and fresh." I was tying together some tea bags after Vanya had earlier made the mixture to go in them.
     "I just want to try chocolate," said Niko, sitting at the table behind us.
     "Me too," Nolan agreed eagerly.
     Our cottage was filled with laughter that echoed through the walls. It was nurturing to hear that sound again. Everything, especially lately, had been strained under serious weight.
     It was rare to see Vanya free enough to enjoy making dinner, to almost smile at the topic of something as unserious as food.
     She had always been caught up in deeper, heavier emotions that sometimes I wondered if they were drowning her because it was so rare that she came up for air—stepped outside of her mind enough to live in the moment.
     Vanya believed that everything had a deep meaning behind it, that everything happened for a reason. The concept of simply living was something she overanalyzed. Seeing her almost smile was enough for me to know that she was still treading, and not completely overtaken.
     Being without Bertram had been difficult for her, she'd always had a particular unspoken fondness for him. Only someone who noticed the tiniest details, such as myself, would be able to recognize the stolen glances. Or the way Vanya let Bertram believe that he was the leader of our cottage when we all knew that wasn't true.
    The fondness, however, I wasn't sure was requited. Bertram had always been a man of the night, to put it subtly. There wasn't a young woman in our village I knew that hadn't warmed his bed.
     As long as I'd known Nolan he'd swung both ways. He was nothing short of a complete open book. We all admired him for his ability to breeze through life so carefreely. He was the complete opposite of Vanya.
     I wasn't sure how much Bertram's absence had affected Nolan. The two males had always butted heads, like brothers, they'd always been rivals. They were at each other's throats most of the time, yet they still did everything together.
     Niko followed them around and did everything they did, wanting to grow up to be just like them. He was too young to know any different. Being without for most of his life, they were his biggest role models.
     "Guy, do you think Bertram is okay?" asked Niko. The three of us stopped what we were doing.
     "I'm sure he's fine, Niko," Nolan said in a hollow tone. Even Niko could hear it had no meaning to it.
     "Yeah, you know Bertram," I added quickly, "he's adaptable, thick-skinned. And he makes the best of everything." I listed things off, not only for Niko's sake.
     Vanya didn't stop, didn't say a word, and her face was like stone. She wanted to say something, but we knew we couldn't discuss the matter while Niko was present. Burdening the unknown was meant for us, not him.
     Once I finished tying the tea bags, I took the kettle from the fire and filled four cups of water, not realizing I'd set out a fifth one.
     The eggs had finished cooking, and Vanya tossed her blend of spices over them and we all sat down at the round table amidst the kitchen.
     "Careful, Nolan," warned Vanya as he took his seat and knocked the leg of the table.
     "I swear," Nolan grumbled, "this thing is going to fall apart one of these days."
     Vanya still held hers and Niko's tea cups until Nolan got situated. "Well let's not make that day is today."
     We each divvied out our own equal portions and began our meal in silence. The eggs tasted much better with the seasonings, but there was only so much consistent fluffy texture I could take.
     The clinging of silverware against our plates was awkward enough, and it became worse when our tea had steeped and the slurping began.
     "Nolan," I decided to speak up, unable to stand the silence any longer. "Nolan, you and Niko could venture out tomorrow for some saplings. It wouldn't be too difficult to construct a steadier base for this table."
     He brushed it off quickly, not even thinking. "I'd probably ruin it further. That's Bertram's kind of thing, we'll let him—"
     A knock at the door cut him off. I didn't know who was more grateful he didn't get to finish what he was saying, him or the rest of us.
     "I've got it." Vanya got up before anyone else could as if she were in great need of stepping away from the table.
     I glanced at Nolan, he was already looking at me. His hands were lifted slightly in surrender, and he winced apologetically. I couldn't quite bring myself to shoot him a glare, to respond in any way. The fifth teacup on the counter made us no different.
     My attention was pulled to the front door by the hostile sound of Vanya's voice. "Who the hell are you?"
     "Greetings to you too." Sarcasm coated the deep voice. "I have been told that this is where I am to find Amelie Ambrose?"
     I stood quickly as my cheeks immediately flushed. I squeezed myself between Vanya and the door. Leaning against the doorframe, the blue eyes of the nuisance I met the week before lit at the sight of me. Ophelia stood tied off behind him, directly in the path of anyone who would happen to need to pass.
     Vanya had disappeared behind me, but I knew that there were three pairs of watchful eyes on my back.
    The autumn season had left a brisk breeze behind, and the man was dressed for it. Yet, the shirt beneath his coat was only buttoned halfway. I noticed a tattoo here and there, and a whole lot of unnecessarily exposed muscle.
     "Ambrose," he drawled through a cunning grin. 
     "What are you doing here?" I crossed my arms and swallowed the already rising frustration that simmered just beneath the flow of my blood.
     His eyes studied my countenance. "I require the assistance of a horse whisper. Do you happen to know where I can find one?"
     I rolled my eyes with a sigh, then faced the intensity of his gaze again. "I'm not helping you with your horse," I told him through the sudden dryness in my throat.
     "Denying business?" Christian clicked his tongue. "Now that's not a very professional reputation to keep, is it?"
     I scowled at him. He only smirked, because he knew he was right, and he knew that I knew it too. Behind him, my attention was pulled astray as a group of vegetable farmers had to squeeze their way past Ophelia.
     They walked by as if they had a fear for the horse, as they were vegetable farmers for a reason, and didn't have a job that required horseback riding.
     "Fine," I managed.
     "Ah, I knew you couldn't resist."
     I shot him a glare. "Give me a minute to change." I retreated into the cottage.
     "Take your time," he added.
     I made it halfway through the kitchen, followed by three pairs of eyes when I turned back toward the door. "And get your damn horse out of the path," I instructed him before closing the door behind me.
     I stopped and faced my cottage mates.
     "That guy looks like a prince," Niko exclaimed.
     Nolan sat still and played idly with the tea bag in his empty cup.
     Vanya tripped over her words. "Why is that stud of a man standing at our door? And to see you?"
     I wasn't sure what to be more insulted by, the fact that she thought he was there to see me in that way, or the fact that she seemed so shocked that he could've been there to see me in that way.
     I brushed them off. "He wants me to work with his horse. He looks practically made of Irja, I'll end up with a pretty good pay."
     "Amelie," Vanya gave me a condescending look. "That man looks completely smitten."
     Nolan chimed in. "Yeah, that horse looks completely fine if you ask me."
     "You're all mad." I was appalled by their assumptions. "That man is arrogant and infuriating. The only thing wrong with his horse is its rider."
       I made my way back to my sleeping quarters. I brushed my hair and put on my coat and the tall leather boots I wore when working with horses.
     "So where are you going with him?" Nolan asked, getting up from the table as I neared the front door.
     "The corrals," I answered him, though it was quite evident. "I'll be back later tonight."
     "Maybe I should join you?" Nolan suggested. Bertram would have done the exact same thing. But no matter who it was coming from, it still annoyed me greatly.
     "I'll be fine," I insisted. As I opened the door, Nolan's presence followed me like a shadow.
     "No, really, I'll just tag along." He pressed, still trying to follow me out the door.
     "Nolan," I hissed through gritted teeth, holding the material of his sleeve to push him back. "Stay here, I'll be fine."
       I could tell that Nolan did not know how to feel, and really, neither did I at that moment. His narrowed eyes finally lightened up.
     A slight curve in his lips. "Have fun with prince charming," he commented, and closed the cottage door, leaving me on the porch.
     I looked to Christian who stood to the side of our cottage where he'd moved Ophelia out of the way of passing foot traffic. He didn't even try to act like he wasn't listening in on my and Nolan's quarrel.
     I didn't say a word to him and started down the village's cobblestone path. He caught up to me within a couple of strides until we walked side by side. Ophelia trailed behind, her hooves clicking on the stone.
     "I hope I haven't interrupted your evening," Christian's voice filled the hollow silence surrounding us. His hand that wasn't holding his horse's rein was tucked into his pocket. His elbow consistently found a way to brush against my arm.
    "You have, actually." I looked up at him, the flawlessness and structure of his face as he stared ahead, taking in the village of Grassheen.
     I watched the perfect flow of his stride, his posture, long enough that he glanced at me. In just enough time, I jerked my gaze away.
     "Has anyone ever told you how lovely you are?" he cocked his head. Sarcasm, the only language he seemed to know.
     I didn't bother to respond to him. It was a busy evening in Grassheen, it seemed everyone was out and about. My luck would have had it no other way. The looks I was getting were solely due to the tall male no one had seen before walking closely beside me.
     "You didn't think you'd ever see me again, did you?" Christian rekindled our conversation if you could even call it that.
    I had to stifle the urge to roll my eyes and let out a sigh. My tone was tight as I responded, "Not everyone can have such a privilege, I suppose."
     I noticed his tongue glide over his bottom lip as he forced a curve off of his lips. "I wasn't aware villagers were so hostile."
     "They're not," I answered. The kind smiles on the faces of everyone we passed was a clear sign of that.
     "But you are?" asked Christian with such persistent audacity.
     My nostrils twitched as I withheld my rising frustration. "I'm actually quite nice."
     Christian huffed a laugh. A laugh. I'd never wanted to sock someone so much on their perfect face. Maybe then that arrogant smile would disappear.
     "You know, I didn't have to agree to help you with your horse," I snapped at him.
     He looked at me. I kept my gaze forward. "That is mere business, not kindness. And I'll be paying you for your time." His gaze fixed back on the path ahead of us. "I'm practically  made of Irja, after all."
     My face flushed red as the low-hanging sun burning distantly in the sky. But I didn't dare speak another word.
     We were nearing the forest's eastern edge, and the trees only became more vibrant in color. It was mainly from the setting sun that shone so beautifully, turning everything around to nothing but a silhouette.
      "The corrals are just ahead here," I told Christian, then branched off ahead of him to open the gate.
     Giuseppe and Aspen perked up in their stalls, which caused Ophelia to let out a loud neigh, to which the other two nickered in return. I closed the gate behind us once the man led his horse into the corral.
     "This is... fairly quaint," he commented.
     I wanted to laugh but forced myself not to. Quaint was the nice way of putting it, and yet it was still insulting. I knew he lived a grand life somewhere north of here. Why he even bothered, I wasn't sure.
     "It does the job," I answered simply. I took Ophelia's rein and tied her off, beginning my usual routine I stuck to with any horse.
     "How long have you been doing this?" He stalked around his horse, both hands in the pockets of his coat now.
     I was hesitant but found no harm in answering his question. "I've worked with horses since I started living in Grassheen, that was over ten years ago. Noviotzhev has only started sending me work in the last three years. It's an... alright income."
       I grabbed two brushes and shoved one into Christian's hands. He looked at it almost as if he didn't know what it was or what to do with it. "Should I call for a groom?" he suggested.
     I began brushing the horse. "We don't have grooms." I could have busted out laughing if I weren't foremost so frustrated. "I've found your problem though," I added.
     Christian made a point to stand close to me, and I hated him for it. Maybe he thought if he stood close enough to me, he'd be able to see right through. But that was one thing about me, I had never been an open book, even to those eager to read.
     "Care to share your knowledge then?" he inquired distractedly.
     "If a groom does everything for you, that leaves little time apart from riding them to have quality time with your horse," I explained to him. "You're a stranger to her."
     A light scoff from him filled the air. "So I'm the problem?" he drawled in realization as if it were something he hadn't already known.
     "Yes," I stated and faced him.
     His eyes widened, and took a step too close. "So, how should I go about fixing it, horse whisper?" Christian's lips curved but never quite made it to a smile.
     I shoved the brush I'd been using to his chest. "You can start by brushing your own damn horse."