Rainbows in Your Eyes by Tinnean

Author:Tinnean [Tinnean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Da’ric

I would have preferred staying in the vicinity of Drew Dorincourt, but the lure of being clean—of washing off the stench and the misery of the House of Oddities—was like a siren song. I started to follow the older gentleman up the stairs but had to stop. “One minute, sir?”

“Eh?”

I leaned against the wall, pulled off the shoes that were crippling my feet, and wriggled my toes, sighing in relief as the cramps that knotted them dissipated and blood began flowing through them. “That’s better.” So much better. I caught up the shoes and let them dangle from my fingers.

The older man smiled and resumed climbing the stairs. It didn’t take long to reach a suite of rooms that rivaled my grandparents’ for luxury although it was more compact. He pointed the way to the bathroom. “The shower is in there, young man. Erm…do you know how to work the taps?”

“I can manage.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound condescending.”

“Not condescending, sir.

Mr. Sayer raised his hand to pat my shoulder, but I backed away from him. “Sorry,” he said again.

“No, I’m sorry. It will take some time before I get used to human contact again.”

“Take as much time as you need. I’ll find some clean clothes for you.”

“Thank you.” Although I was fairly sure he wouldn’t be able to find anything that fit me. “I…I really wasn’t looking forward to putting these back on.”

“Am I correct in assuming they aren’t yours?”

I nodded, and the lines around his eyes creased in a smile that was warm with reminiscence.

“Tommy and I had to wear ‘borrowed’ clothing once. I had them burned afterward. Would you like me to…?”

“Oh, yes, please. I’d really appreciate that.” The men they’d belonged to wouldn’t much care. I was unbuttoning the shirt as I spoke and pretended to miss his interested glance. I didn’t think he would react well to knowing he had a killer under his roof.

He opened drawers in a large, antique-looking armoire and selected shirts, jeans, and some socks and underwear and laid them out on the bed. “I believe layers will keep you warm. However…I’m afraid these won’t fit very well.”

I could see that. Drew might be taller than the men in his family, but he was still a good four inches shorter than me. I usually had to have my clothes especially made. As for the shirts—it would be interesting to see how they fit, if they did fit, considering they’d be one on top of the other.

“Drew can go shopping for you tomorrow,” Mr. Sayer was saying. “The boy needs to take a break from work. These underpants however should fit you—your hips are a trifle leaner than Drew’s—and they’ve never been worn.”

“I couldn’t borrow them, not even if they’re brand new.” I wanted to cover my face with my hands. I cleared my throat instead. “That’s to say…I couldn’t borrow them.” It was too personal. The emerald-green silk boxers were beautiful, and I itched to touch them, but I wouldn’t, fearing I might somehow betray my prurient interest in their owner.

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