Indebted by Amy A. Bartol

Author:Amy A. Bartol
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 9781481857192
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2012-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

Casimir

I spend my nights in Brennus’ room, trying to sleep alone in the huge bed, always pretending that I’m lying next to Reed. Sometimes, the longing that I have for Reed is so intense that it feels like my heart might stop beating. On those nights, I wake up to find Brennus sitting in my room, watching me sleep. He knows that I’m in pain. We don’t talk on those occasions. It’s like Brennus wants to replace the image of Reed in my mind, so that when I see him instead of Reed as I awaken, I’ll forget that Reed is out there somewhere. A part of me thinks he’s insane for thinking he can ever replace Reed and another part of me is afraid that I will lose the image of Reed that I am pushing really hard to keep ingrained in my mind.

At least Brennus hasn’t tried to kiss me again, not since the day when he kissed me in front of everyone in the hall. He likes to touch me though. I almost feel like a favorite pet at this point. He likes to play with my hair or stroke my wing when we are in my tower reading or when I’m eating breakfast in his office each morning before I get dressed for the day.

Brennus goes out of his way to spend time with me, even when someone is constantly trying to gain his attention for this or that problem. He takes me for walks around his huge estate. He shows me the cliffs where the sea meets the rocks far below. I love to go there now, even though it’s getting colder and windier as winter is creeping in. I want to fly around those cliffs, see what is in the caves far below us, but I’m not that good at flying yet, so I stick to practicing away from where the wind can toss me into a wall of stone and then down to the deep, treacherous water below.

Brennus is getting better at knowing me, too. I can tell by the gifts that he gives me. At first, he gave me things like a ridiculously expensive car that is more elegant than any I have ever seen before. It has seats that are more comfortable than a recliner. But, since I can’t go anywhere but around the grounds, it’s pointless. I can run faster. Then he presented me with more jewelry than I have places to put it. Every shape, facet, color and carat is covered, but when he notices I don’t wear any of it, he gets smarter.

Eating my breakfast in Brennus’ office, I watch him slide a perfectly wrapped box towards me with an expectant look. I eye it like it’s my nemesis. Continuing to spread jelly on my bagel, I ask, “What is it?”

“A gift. Jus open it,” he says casually, watching me with a small smile on his face.

Licking the jelly from the tip of my finger, I roll my eyes at him and reach for the box, hoping it’s not more jewelry.

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