Unmasked by Kelsey Chapman

Author:Kelsey Chapman [Kelsey Chapman]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kelsey Chapman
Published: 2023-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The warm sun coming through the ancient windows wakes me gently. It takes a moment to realize where I am, the stupor of sleep still hanging over me like a fog. My mind begins to clear, bringing on a pleasant smile with the memories of last night: the lovely moments after the curse was broken, after the terror of it all. It almost feels like it happened in another lifetime in this soft morning light, like a nightmare chased away by the light of dawn.

Vases full of beautiful white anemones, my favorite flowers, have been placed onto both bedside tables, and I remember it was something I had told Maddox in passing during our weeks together. My small grin grows into a bright smile as my chest swells at the thought of him remembering such a tiny detail. But the rumbling of my stomach pulls me from admiring the lovely flowers, reminding me that I haven't eaten since before the ball. Dragging myself out of the luxurious bed, I pad quietly into the hallway.

Just as I pull my door shut, another door opens from somewhere behind me. Claire emerges, stretching her arms in the air and yawning as she steps into the hall.

"You're up early," I say, startling her.

"I couldn't force myself to sleep any longer. I am starving." She groans as I meet up with her, beginning our search for the kitchen.

As we descend the grand stairway, I laugh and gesture to our surroundings, "I feel like I should be dressed better. I stick out like a sore thumb among all of this."

She waves her hands to her fuzzy pajama set, depicting her favorite childhood cartoon, "Tell me about it. I felt like I was somewhere I shouldn't be in my room last night."

We turn down a hallway, searching for anywhere we might get sustenance, when we hear the voices of our friends through an open door. Claire and I step tentatively into an impressive dining room.

At the back of the space, Gothic arched windows reach from the floor to a gorgeous vaulted ceiling, letting in the bright morning sunlight and leaving no need for the iron chandeliers suspended there. Intricate tapestries hang along the light stone walls, their colors beautifully complimenting the large royal blue rug running the length of the twelve-person table.

At the head of the table sits Maddox, the rest of the warriors taking their seats around him. Surprisingly, they don't notice our presence until we reach the table, too deep in their conversation.

I take the empty seat adjacent to Maddox, Claire claiming her spot beside Theo as she proclaims, "Why on earth are you guys already awake and dressed?"

Theo laughs at her, sweetly running his hand along the back of her hair, "Training, love."

She pouts slightly. "You trained without us? You could've woken us up."

"We thought we would let the both of you rest," Maddox explains. "Last night was something neither of you could've imagined. You deserved to sleep in."

Mairead comes through a door behind us then, bearing plates of breakfast and humming all the way.

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