Sounds of Fire

18

Nan was none too happy to find out that Lady Grace and Anatolia had slept together. In the same bedroom. In the same bed! She hadn't minded when they were cuddling and took a nap together the day before, but that was different. They were in the living room, where anyone could see them, and that was a neutral zone. To sleep in the same bedroom, Lady Grace's bedroom no less, was inexcusable. Who knew what they got into when the moon rose? Nan shivered to think. They weren't married. It wasn't right.

She strode into Lady Grace's bedroom without knocking, flinging the door open with one quick push. The crash that the door made gave the desired effect. Both Lady Grace and Anatolia shot up in bed.

Anatolia struggled out of the blankets and was about to start in on a string of curses and threats, her gift at the ready, but calmed when she realized it was only Nan. Her adrenaline still pumping, Anatolia held back the intense urge to punch Nan in the face. Despite knowing that Nan was a part of the household, and practically family, Anatolia's loyal and protective nature wanted to throttle the intruder to Lady Grace's room.

"Nan!" Lady Grace shrilled, holding the sheets to her chest. She placed a hand on Anatolia's arm, fearing by the look on her face that Anatolia would attack at any moment. Anatolia sat back on her heels. "What are you doing?"

Nan scrutinized the scene before her, glad that both women were fully clothed. "It's the morning, time to get up." She clapped her hands twice to stop Lady Grace from inspecting her clock, which wouldn't go off for another half hour. "No time to waste."

Anatolia growled, her chin falling to her chest, and shut her eyes. She wanted more sleep. She kind of had to use the bathroom.

"You never wake me up," Lady Grace said. "And by the look on your face I'm guessing you're only here because of my company."

Anatolia's head shot up at Lady Grace mentioning her.

"Nonsense," Nan said, sticking her nose in the air. "You two look to be doing nothing wrong. You have to get to work, anyway," she huffed. "So get up. Anatolia, you better shower and get ready in your own room."

As Nan left, leaving the bedroom door wide open, Anatolia flopped onto her back. She curled into herself and closed her eyes, yawning ferociously.

"That woman is slowly earning her walking papers," Lady Grace grumbled, hooking hair behind her ear. She looked down at Anatolia laying the width of the bed in the fetal position. "Who do you think told we were sleeping together?"

"I don't care," Anatolia said, eyes still closed. She smushed her face into the blankets, her next words muffled, "Do we have to go to work today?"

"I suppose not. But I'm sure Nan will come back if we don't at least get up and get dressed."

Anatolia growled but lifted herself up. She shoved her hair out of her face and rubbed her eyes. "Fine, fine. The next time Nan wakes me up like that, though, I'm not liable for the damage I cause."

Lady Grace chuckled and rolled her eyes. She stretched, yawning, and got out of bed, then kissed Anatolia on the cheek. "I'm going to take a shower. Better get to your own room."

Nodding, Anatolia absentmindedly rolled out of bed and headed to her own bedroom. She didn't even realize that Lady Grace had kissed her until she felt the residual heat from Lady Grace's lips as she walked the hall towards her room. The sensation made her heart beat a bit faster.

After her shower, Anatolia dressed and went to Derek's room to check on him. He was awake and ready, too, but he was relaxing on his bed, closely studying one of his artifacts. Anatolia told him that they wouldn't be going into the firm today and he grunted his understanding, too focused on his artifact. As she was leaving, she heard Derek tell her to have fun with Lady Grace. There was no malice or sarcasm in his voice so Anatolia appreciated it and said thank you, telling him that if he needed anything he should ask.