Chapter Five

Stranger

Nova

This man must be courting death.

This stranger who sneaked into my house, who knew of my reputation and was but a hair’s breadth away from me, was actually daring to inch his hand closer to mine on the railing. I tightened my grip on the banister, careful of the other hand that was just before his neck. I could kill him, but honestly, I haven’t the strength or desire to deal with a dead body in the middle of night. Let alone during the freak spring blizzard that’s been howling since the morning.

I leered at this strange person. His clothes, which were entirely unusual in style and length for a man, were sticking to his body, and despite his bravado, I could see him trembling before me. Or perhaps it was due to the cold. Either way, I found his gall intriguing. There was something enticing about those vibrant green eyes.

“Do what you want.” I declared, stepping up and away from him. “Bailey!” I shouted, making sure that despite my back being turned, I could sense this intruder’s presence.

Swiftly, Bailey arrived. She was a bit disheveled. Her glasses were askew, and her hair was down for once, draping just over her shoulder. She was most likely properly asleep, unlike me who roams these halls at night like a phantom more often than not.

“Yes, Lady Nova?”

“Take care of this…” I dared one more peek at the man, watching as he dripped on my staircase. “…guest. He’ll be staying the night.” I declared before turning left in the hall towards my quarters.

“Of course.” Bailey gave a small bow in response. I was nearly around the corner when I heard my head maid say, “Mister…?”

“Ah,” the man started, as if he only just now realized he never introduced himself. “Calian. Calian Verity.”

“Calian.” I whispered the name on my tongue and found myself smiling for a moment.

The name was entirely unfamiliar. I couldn’t recall ever coming across such a strange person, and yet, just saying his name delighted me for some reason.

I chided my childishness as I hurried into my chamber—the last room at the very end of the hall.

I entered, frowning at the dried-up petals and leaves that draped along my nightstand and floor. They used to be a colorful array of lilies, but now they were nothing but mulch after I bumped into them when Calian entered the manor. I was planning to answer his knock, sword in hand, but my uninvited guest made himself at home instead. I carefully placed my saber down against the end table and picked up a petal from the floor. It crumbled easily, already too fragile to even be handled.

Irritated, I wandered over to the window, peeking behind the curtain to find that the wind was pushing against the window still as snow drifted to the ground below. My frown deepened, but at least the weather had significantly lessened compared to earlier in the day. Perhaps the storm will only last the night then. I hoped.

After a few minutes more, I began to pace, eyeing the grandfather clock in the corner of my room. It’s already been ten minutes. I thought. Where is—

There was a knock on my door.

“Enter.” I announced, and watched Bailey come in.

She proceeded to bow respectfully before she said, “I have seen your guest to his quarters, my lady.”

“How does he seem?” I queried.

“He’s…” she paused, pondering. “…polite.”

“Polite?” I looked at her in disbelief. “He did enter this manor uninvited. But good to know his etiquette is up to snuff.”

“Mr. Verity does not seem to have any obvious motives, if that is what you are looking for, Lady Nova. It is very possible that he simply got stuck in the storm.” Bailey countered, instantly understanding my meaning.

Not that I ever doubted that she wouldn’t. She is the woman who raised me after all.

Before I could comment further, my matronly maid glanced at the dead plant beside my bed. She walked over and grabbed the entire vase. “I will make sure this is cleaned up and a new bouquet is ready for you tomorrow. Please try and get some rest, my lady.”

“Don’t bother replacing them. I’ll only murder them again.” I muttered. “Goodnight, Bailey.”

The normally professional look in her eyes softened. “Goodnight, my lady.”

*****

I laid down for a bit, but it was pointless. I just kept thinking about the newcomer. I couldn’t get every little detail of his out of my head. His damp red hair, those emerald eyes, and that voice… He called my name with such familiarity. It was the first time in ages since anyone had done that. It made me all the more curious about this stranger.

“Calian,” I spoke softly, trying the name out again before glancing at the clock. It was nearly two in the morning.

For some reason, I couldn’t keep him out of my thoughts. There was something about him, but I couldn’t define it. Couldn’t quite figure out what this peculiar feeling was. Perhaps it was just the fact that he’s the first new thing around here that piqued my interest.

Whatever. I shrugged, rising from the bed and heading down to my office that was just a door away. It’s not like he actually matters. He’ll be gone by the morning anyway.

I entered my office and glared at the pedestalled flowers by the windows. They seemed to taunt me with their liveliness. There were two vases on separate pillars. One, a bouquet of red, yellow, and white roses, and the other, daisies of similar color except the red were replaced with pink. It’s brightness almost made me kill them on purpose.

I resisted the urge to decay them and headed over to my desk. It used to be my father’s but since he doesn’t dare take ownership of anything in this house now—myself included—I don’t feel guilty about using what once was his.

I sat in the red armchair, glancing over at the maps I left rolled up and sprawled about. I didn’t really venture into the world, but that didn’t stop me from learning about every nook and cranny in it. I daresay, I could make an excellent adventurer or mapmaker, should the occasion for either need arise. Not that it ever would.

I glanced at the closed blue notebook and sighed as I remembered that I never finished bookkeeping for the estate this month. I opened up to the bookmarked page, moving my hair to the side so that it wasn’t in my way as I read over what I did before, and what was given to us within the month. Despite my parents’ unceremonious abandonment of me at age three, they still manage their familial obligation by sending me monetary aid. Though, over the years, I’ve come to recognize it for what it is: a bribe. They get to live in the capital, surrounded by luxury and splendor, and so long as I stay holed up here, they pay for the minimal staff and necessities deemed fit to keep up the appearance of a marquess’ daughter.

My palm gently cradled my chin as it propped me up and kept me awake from the devastatingly boring task that was finances. Several minutes passed this way, and just as I was about to jot down the first new entry, I heard creaking.

My head snapped up to find my uninvited guest ogling me from the doorway. He looked a bit shocked to have been caught, but somehow unabashed. It was sort of charming.

“Mr. Calian, was it?” I leered as he nodded wordlessly. “Is gaping at women in secret a habit I should watch out for?”

He took a few bold steps into the room, approaching me. His eyes scanned the contents of my desk before meeting my dubious gaze. “I’m sorry if I disturbed you. I just… Not that I’m a pervert or anything!” he blurted out, forcing me to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing at the outburst. “I just find you… captivating.” His cheeks were bright pink as he spoke that last word.

Instantly, my amusement faded. I looked him up-and-down. He truly was one of the most handsome of men I’ve ever seen. Not that I’ve had occasion to spy a multitude of men in my twenty-seven-years. And to think he looks this good with his oversized night shirt and baggy trousers. I could only imagine what he’d look like if he was in proper attire. His vermillion-red hair was wavy and frizzy from his bath. His previously paled skin was now properly sun-kissed, and it only now dawned on me that he was quite a bit taller than me.

I scoffed as I realized just how hard I was looking at him, and how much I was enjoying it to boot. “You’re a strange one, Mr. Calian.” I announced, but he wasn’t the only strange one here. For the first time in ages, I felt a mild warmth that entered my face and made my ears hot.

Calian smirked, his jewel eyes sparkling as he placed his hands on the table and leaned forward towards me. “Just call me Calian. You can also call me Cal too. If you want, that is.”

The closer he inched towards me, the closer my hand got to the hidden dagger under the surface of my desk. My hand gripped the handle as I said, “Calian, it is.”

His smile was dazzling. Calian looked genuinely pleased to hear me address him. It made me feel odd. More specifically, a sense of satisfaction washed over me that such a simple gesture could truly delight him. My brows pulled together, confused by this sudden influx of emotions.

I rose, placing the point of the dagger just under his chin. He appeared shocked, but his grin only minimized into a small smile.

My lips curved cruelly upwards. “Your flattery is simply a distraction. What is it that you truly seek from me? Or is it perhaps, that you’ve simply come to see the rumored beast of Gravitas Manor?” I glowered, knowing what the citizens of Cisluna—those that knew of me, at least—said behind my back.

His smile finally dropped at my words. His brows were pinched as he sternly said, “You are not a beast. And screw anyone who thinks you are.”

My heart skipped a beat, taken aback by the sincerity in his tone. Calian inched just a bit closer, the point of the dagger causing a bead of blood to drip over his Adam’s apple. I gripped the handle tighter, pulling away gradually and reaching into the top drawer of my desk. I threw a white handkerchief at him. Calian jumped in surprise.

“Don’t bleed all over my paperwork.” I uttered; arms folded over my chest.

His smile returned, and a look I didn’t quite understand was in his eyes. Calian rubbed the pad of his thumb over the handkerchief before wiping up the blood that ran down his neck and holding it over the small puncture wound.

“Just so you know, I really wasn’t aware this was your home.” He started. “I was simply lost in the blizzard, and your place was the first one I spotted.” He sighed. “I’m just trying to get home, but it appears, I’ve strayed much too far.” He dabbed the fabric against his neck one last time before crumbling it in his hand and placing it inside of his pocket. His wound was shallow enough that it no longer bled. “I know that I asked to stay the night only, but… would you be amenable to letting me stay a little longer?” he must have noticed the surprise on my face because he hastily continued, “I-I’m not from around here! So, I just want to catch my bearings before moving on.”

I half-frowned, truly confused by this man. Does he truly not fear that I would kill him? That I wouldn’t simply sneak into his room in the middle of the night and graze a single finger over him so that he never awakens again?

“You may stay a week and no longer.” I finally decided, pointing the dagger threateningly towards him. “Do not cause my staff any heinous inconveniences.”

He grinned again, and once more, that strange feeling came over me. “I wouldn’t dream of it! Thank you!” he turned like he would leave but then pivoted back. He seemed a bit embarrassed as he asked, “Is it possible I could borrow a map of the area? I just want to make sure I know where I’m going. Of course, I won’t take it with me. I’ll make a copy.”

“You’re just full of demands, aren’t you?” I laughed but it sounded more like a scoff. “Fine.” I took a scroll off my desk, knowing exactly which one was for the immediate area. Holding one end of the rolled-up map, I gave it to him.

He took the opposite end, but rather than letting go, I held us there together, linked through the parchment. However, I hadn’t the foggiest reason why I chose to do so. Shocking myself, I released it, pulling my hand back to my side.

The man didn’t move though. Instead, he watched me intently before smirking. “Thank you for your generosity. Goodnight… Nova.”

I should have corrected him for addressing me so casually, but something about the way my name rolled off his tongue left me feeling warm.

“Goodnight… Calian.”