The Grim and the Grave by Sami Eastwood

Author:Sami Eastwood [Eastwood, Sami]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sami Eastwood

Chapter Twelve

The red did not suit her. In the dingy mirror of her room, Clover smoothed the long sleeves of her red Blood Solstice dress, the only color she was ever allowed to wear. She had never liked the red, the reason it was worn, the fact that she was forced to wear it, or the way it made her look. Sallow.

Clover closed her eyes, and when she opened them her room was filled with memory.

The bedroom door in her memory opened and Grant stuck his head in to look at her. The memory of herself, rather. A smile spread across his face. “Ah, a winter rose.”

“Stop it,” said Clover. “I’m no rose. More like a weed.”

Grant looked behind him to make sure his father wasn’t about before stepping into the room. He took her hands and moved them out so he could see her entirely.

“Yes, you’re right, that impervious weed. I see it now, though I forget the name of it. Only comes out in the summer and fall—green leaves, thick stems with the thorns—red blossoms. What’s that one called?”

Clover smothered a smile. “You’re not funny.”

“No?” He gave her a false pout, sticking out his lower lip. Clover stood her ground on the subject and shook her head. Grant finally smiled. “Don’t I at least get charming?”

“You always get charming. You would even if you didn’t try.”

Grant tilted his head. “So upset you don’t even know what I’ve gotten you yet.”

“If it’s not a kiss, I don’t want it.” She tried to walk past him. He grabbed her from behind and spun her around. Clover tried not to laugh aloud. He set her down and she leaned back so he could kiss her cheek. He let her go.

“It’s not a kiss, though I’m flattered by the request.”

She sighed. “You shouldn’t—”

He pressed a hand over her mouth. “I preemptively refuse your refusal.”

She pinched his arm and he winced, removing his hand.

“Be grateful I didn’t bite you.”

“Well, that would have been my Blood Solstice gift.” He chuckled. “Meet me in the tower?”

“Not if you’re bringing a gift,” she said.

He shrugged. “Fine. No gift.”

“You’re such a liar.” Clover laughed.

“Clover, please meet me in the tower. I swear I won’t displease you in any way,” he said.

She raised an eyebrow.

“In any way that can’t possibly be mended through time and effusive apologies,” he said.

Clover couldn’t smother her smile as she leaned forward and kissed him...

The door in reality opened behind Clover and Knox stuck his head in. The memory faded. Clover had been sitting on the ground while she was lost in memory.

“What are you doing on the ground? Did you fall?” he asked.

Clover shook her head. Her eyes welled with tears, and they spilled over. Knox checked behind him to make sure Van Doren wasn’t around before coming in and gently helping her to her feet.

“Hey, it’s going to be all right. Remember what we’re doing,” he said before frowning. “You do remember what we’re doing, right?”

“I remember. I wish I didn’t,” she said, referring to the memory he wasn’t privy to.

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