Bound to Earth

12: At Least I Mixed The Paint

"Why can't I paint the whole room black?" I growled at Brynjar and the front door open to a living room filled with boxes, jewelry, and photos. My entire staff had looked at the two of us incredulously when we lugged cans of paint through the lobby.

"Even the lady said pitch black is a bad choice." Brynjar held up the cans of light lilac paint to me. His eyes flickered with humor, swaying like the flames within him. "Besides, you didn't mind this color. It suits you."

The purple itself was more gray than purple and gray was close to black, the only reason I agreed. Yup, it was the only reason I agreed to purple over the black. "Well, she can go fuck a duck. I like dark colors, black."

Malachi smirked, hearing me and Brynjar argue. It wasn't often when I'd fight with someone other than Malachi. "You like black, huh?" He ignored the bored glance I sent him, grabbing a few paint cans. "Who's fucking a duck? I already lined the walls with tape and covered the floors and windows with rosin paper."

"This bitch who told me I can't paint my room black." I pointed to the cans, scowling at them as if they were the lady who'd helped us today. "So I had to settle for a prissy princess color." I actually didn't mind the color, it was soothing, pretty. But I was already this deep into the argument that never really mattered to me. May as well see it out until I piss everyone off.

Malachi chuckled. "It is going to be your tiara room."

Alistar picked up a can and frowned. "You don't have to paint the room this color if you don't want to. I can go return it and buy black."

"No. It's fine." I sighed and dragged the last of the paint supplies to my new crown room. Complaining about the lady giving me a color I didn't want and how I couldn't pain my room black was much more reasonable than admitting my jealousy. It would give them leverage they didn't need, knowing I was jealous of the way she kept eyeing Brynjar, asking him the questions, and ignoring me.

The smirk curving Brynjar's lips and flames twinkling in his eyes mocking me, as if he already knew the real reason I was complaining. He wouldn't have bought the paint if he knew I didn't like the color.

"Is Valentino still gone?" I hadn't seen him since yesterday morning, when he'd promised to help me furnish my room then left. I should've had Alistar keep those boxes of shelves.

"He'll be scattered for another few days." Alistar took the bags from my hand and set up the paint. They all acted as if Valentino ghosting everyone was normal, expected.

"The fucker better hurry. I need to buy new shelves." I swirled the paint with the stick, a headache starting to form. While I used small bits of my power on a daily basis, I hadn't been able to feed the same as I used to. My body craved more energy, fear. I was slowly starving.

"Well someone is in a peachy mood today," Malachi taunted. He stood in the middle of the room, hands tucked in his pockets and doing absolutely nothing to contribute.

Smooth paint dripped from the wood as I lifted the stick out of the can, not bothering to scrape the sides. Malachi had relaxed into his stance, casually watching me mix the paint. I flicked the wood towards him, sending a chunk of paint flying through the air. Lilac sprayed across his dark skin, blue shirt, and jeans. 

I sat back and snickered.

"So childish." Malachi rolled his eyes and grabbed a brush, dipping into the tray of paint Alistar had set aside. Cold, thick paint smeared against my skin as he dragged the brush down the side of my face, my neck.

My hands clawed at the paint, keeping it from running in my eyes. "I'm childish? You bastard." I clicked my tongue scowling. He'd declared an all out war, one he wouldn't win.