The heavy book I held open in my lap wasn't all that interesting. In fact, it was incredibly boring and filled with spells I'd long since mastered and had no reason to study further. Fortunately that didn't matter, I hadn't really taken it from the bookcase to read it.
Tick. Tock.
The ornate wooden clock on the mantle continued it's steady rhythm, the hands moving but all else in the room remaining perfectly still, even Camille, who's stone cold chest had no need to even rise or fall.
I was watching her instead of my book page, enamoured by how the glinting gems in her hair brought out the enticing green of her eyes, and how soft the flesh exposed by her evening gown's low neckline looked. She stood by the fire - not too close, mind you - as though it would do a thing to warm her slender body. She stared into the flames for a few ticking seconds, and then at me, looking somewhat disappointed. I hoped that the sorrow came from missing her days as something human, something that could feel the warmth of the fire or be effected by the steady ticking of time gone by; rather than from tiring of me.
Whatever the reason, the look was gone in an instant, replaced by an expression of revulsion mixed with anger.
"Take your feet from my table, Magnus. It's more antique than you are."
"I doubt that."
"You're only two hundred." I chose not to bother arguing with that point, it was a little white lie I always told when the topic of my age came up. I preferred people not to know.
It didn't matter, then, anyway. I slowly and deliberately moved my booted feet from the polished table to the floor. It was all a game I played to test her, see how long it could take her to notice. It seemed only fair, the woman enjoyed toying with me in her own ways, so I figured that I, too, was entitled to my fun.
She began to walk towards me, and I could hear the faint rustle of the many layers to her expensive skirts.
"You won't escort me then? To the party?" She stated with a tone that was more curious than it was irritated. I'd expected her to be angry.
I wanted her to be angry.
"No, I have important spells to brush up on" I gestured to the book for emphasis. We both knew it wasn't true, but she smiled at me like a parent indulging their child. Because she knew, but she was going to let me have my way. "You'll have plenty of company, Darling"
"Not in the carriage", she sighed dramatically as she walked behind my seat and towards the door, I didn't watch her go. "Until dawn, Magnus."
When the door closed it was like confirmation that by letting me win, she had won. Again. I would have to try harder next time.
With a sigh, I clapped the book shut, wishing that I still knew what we were playing for.
Wow, that is much shorter than I realized. This is actually a little tiny drabbel that led to me writing a different story, "The Bones You Gave Me" which is in my profile if you want to take a look.
Hope that you liked it,
~ Emi