Steel Rose

Chapter 33

Belle Pov

   The morning had come and gone and Ptolemus had not made the effort to contact me yet. This was both filled me with relief and dread. I shouldn't have been surprised though, he had been away from his own family for about three months and their celebration probably lasted longer then ours. I don't know. And honestly, I couldn't bring myself to think about it too hard. 

   Along with my brother's return it was my birthday. My mother had made it hard to forget, ever since she found me and Christian sprawled out on the couch around noon. I didn't sleep well, so I was easily awakened when she cleared her throat her eyes filled with question. Christian was dead drunk so despite the attempts to wake him, going as far as smashing a pillow in his face, he didn't stir. So we left him there.

   "Get dressed Isabelle," she snapped with a smile as she stood over me. "Happy Birthday dear." 

   That was how my day started, in a trudge. But the sun was out, and the sky was light blue. So I quickly got ready, and my mother dragged me out the house and into the bustling city. 

Ptolemus Pov

   I could still taste the liquor on my tongue when I opened my eyes the next morning, early in the morning. It was the time when the birds were chirping and the sky was still a light grey and the winds were chilled. I took a long shower, a long hot shower that made the room steam when I left. Some of my family was awake, the older ones. The younger ones were still snuggled up in their beds. 

   I thought about if Belle was awake as I pulled my shirt over my head. Probably not.  I wasted the rest of my morning, doing nothing. My thoughts empty and unorganized. 

   When the afternoon presented itself, I figured she'd be up by now. It was her birthday, I remembered Christian had told me. I realized that I had no gift. I had nothing to give her. I sat on on my bed, pondering over what she liked. So many things, so many options, it had to be perfect. It had to be. 

   At some point there was a knock on my door. Eve walked in."Hey," she greeted stepping in. 

   "Hi," I answered looking up at her, "What do girls like?" 

   She tilted her head to the side, "Why?"

   "Isabelle's birthday is today, and I haven't the slightest idea on what to get her." I tell her and she looks past me. 

   "Seriously?" she asks taking a seat beside me. She shrugs, "I don't know. Something simple, I guess. Show to her that you've been paying attention." 

   "Attention to what?" 

   "I don't know," she sighs getting up again. "Whatever girls like her like." 

   I lay back on my bed. "Ugh." 

   Eve hits my shoulder, "I suggest you get moving now, while you still have time. Father will be wanting to see you soon."

TIME SKIP

   I pass the however number window shop today, the afternoon sun beating down on me. Eve was right. As I made my way out the residence, Father caught me and told me to be quick wherever I was going. I was needed back at the city guard, Maven had gotten some new information on the location of the lighting girl.

   I was getting tired I almost decided to give up, or to simply stop a girl on the street and ask her what she would have wanted her boyfriend to buy her. I pass a shoe store and stop. Red heels sit in the window, the metal design winking at me in the sunlight. I nearly gasp in relief.