DH AN: Oh well I wasn't expecting to have this done pre-2019, but an update is an update and I'll take it! Enjoy Chapter Twelve of An Heiress' Mantle.

AN 2: Arlomhe Sharti First Person PoV and sort of simultaneous with prior chapter.


Chapter Twelve

My brain is going about thirty miles a minute and thankful doesn't even start to cover how I feel that my employer is strangely absent from my head at the moment- and has been for about a week. I know that should unnerve me far more than it does, but at the moment- I have bigger problems to deal with.

Like Benu staring me down in a way that unnerves me because I can't discern between amusement at my misfortune or more of a perplexed nature. All I know is that it's unsettling, and I need an out before she decides I'm no longer worth her time.

I offer two light taps of the hotel key-card against the table. "If I may, I should probably go give my employer the key-card to the hotel room… before he realizes that he can't get in and busts another lock…" Color me surprised as Benu's expression shifts with a raising brow- again still disconcertingly between amusement and perplexment. "It happens often enough apparently…"

"First time he's taken you along?" A half-smirk appears and to my displeasure shows no signs of fading anytime soon.

"He didn't." I bristle ever so slightly and I barely resist a frown at her small laugh. She's probably laughing at my terrible attempt at a glare. I somewhat begrudgingly take a quick sip of the tea- I possess enough manners not to outright refuse an offered beverage- not to mention the only thing I'll need after two cups is a bathroom visit.

"So, you snuck out to follow him then?" Of course- of course I nearly choke and then quietly seethe at her nonchalance…as well as when put that way- I probably sound like the dumbest person in his employ… possibly the dumbest on the planet. "Oh, that adds a whole layer to your predicament."

I tremble as the frustration etches into my face. "Don't remind me. Also, the answer to your prior question is yes- first time." I stand from the table with a frustrated sigh.

"Not looking forward to this, are you?" There's a hint of concern but it's pretty darn buried under her amusement at my discomfort.

"Oh shut up, Benni." The words slip out and I stop immediately. I don't know how much of a mistake I've made but I know without a doubt that I've made one. She's behind me in a painfully quiet instant.

"Huh… 'Benni'? I can live with that." I'm rightly stiff as a board as I view her from my peripheral vision. "I'll be nice to you since you don't get out much, and this is clearly your first day in this type of thing." My face twists slightly as I feel the color drain from it as she continues with a discomforting glee that I'm unfortunately very familiar with- hearing it from a … I suppose, a peer, that's new. "I'll let you in on a little secret. My good moods are very rare."

"Not much of a secret." I let the phrase slide under my breath, rolling my eyes hard enough that if they could go out their sockets, they'd hit the door and bounce off it.

"And fortunately, you've caught me in a good mood, Little Lookout." I'm starting to hate that nickname- but I don't have time to properly seethe, as a firm grip takes hold of my right shoulder, and despite my attempts to reign in a reaction- my body still protests. The protests lessen as the pressure vanishes.

"Everyone but me forgetting that I'm injured is the norm apparently." I barely resist a wince.

"You don't sound as bitter as you should be."

"I'm not ready for 'Oh no I'm turning into my employer' to be my life's mantra yet."

"You probably shouldn't keep Mr. Rarely Happy waiting." It's my turn to feel perplexed. My expression lifts slightly but is still somewhat weighted by a palatable sense of pending doom. But Benu is right- it's not a good idea to keep him waiting- especially if I'd like that lock, as well as whatever of his usually slim good graces I have, intact.

If I have any…

Before I have any time to further contemplate, I've stepped out the door. He has a phone jammed to his left ear and his right hand is against his lower back, open and presumably waiting for the key-card. I don't step forward until he ends the call- I'm in no position to be caught eavesdropping.

"I don't like this either." He doesn't acknowledge that I've stepped forward and taken the key-card from my pocket. "But I don't have a choice."

You always have a choice. His voice resounds in my head- and I can't discern if it's present or past. If it's real or hallucination.

"I don't have a choice that will get what you want!"

I place the card in his hand and his grasp is light and he doesn't pull it from my fingers.

"And what makes you think you know what that is?" I still. The precision, tone and volume of his inquiry does not sit well with me, but despite my discomfort, it's an inquiry that demands an answer.

"I may not know with entirety, but I know you want that card." He takes the key-card from me and I swallow my trepidation down for only a second as I see him run his unburdened, closed fist lightly over the back of his head with the barest hint of a wince. "I'm your only way to get it."

He says nothing for a moment, but the way his shoulders clench tightly tells me plenty. "And why should I let you negotiate in my stead for something of which you know nothing?"

"Because you are not 'fine'."

"And you think you are?"

"I didn't say that." I barely manage to keep myself from severely bristling at the question. "But I'm not nursing a goose egg at the moment and I think that alone is something in my favor."

"Not a good enough reason."

"Is 'I've been specifically requested' an adequate one?" It's definitely a sore spot for him and I brace myself for a reaction.

He doesn't answer, and unnervingly, does not move. He tenses once more, taking a small step forward.

"On one condition, Ms. Sharti." The phrase is so strained that it fills me with dread.

"And that is?" My voice rises to a pathetically squeaky pitch and I absolutely detest it.

"I listen. By phone."

"You'll be muted on your end?"

"And just why would I do that?" His question carries a mocking lilt and I start to seethe.

"It'd be a little easier to clear with the other party… and I don't entirely trust you wouldn't butt in and make the task more difficult."

"So you're afraid of Little Benu then?" The lilt diminishes but isn't entirely absent as he turns to face me.

"Wary." I correct.

"And of me?" The amused lilt is gone completely and he pauses for a moment. "Which?"

My stomach immediately and painfully knots itself as his eyes seek an answer that I cannot give him.

"Perhaps it is both in varying measures." The statement offers a poor opportunity out but it's one I'll take anyway. Easing another has never been his strong suit.

All I can bring myself to do is nod somewhat limply.

He slides the room key into his back pocket. "I'll make the necessary arrangements, pack the bags, and meet you back here in two hours."

"I don't need two hours."

"You're only proving that you do."

I had plenty of time in the past month."

"Courtesy of an injury that left you unconscious for two weeks, and then caring for an undeserving-"

"I couldn't just let you suffer."

"Which is why you should take some time for yourself." His gaze drifts to the pavement to his right. "It would do you well to hone a skill early in your life that I likely will never master."

"And that would be?"

"Civility with the Vexing Little Bird." He again lightly runs the closed fist over the goose egg with a small frown as he turns once more toward the hotel across the street. "Or more aptly, perhaps reading your place in a room and acting accordingly- a measure that has far greater use than merely placating me."

"You really should have been more careful." His expression sours slightly at my admonishment "Put some ice on that bump, please?"

"I don't have to take your orders."

"I'd rather not be witness to aftermath of your recklessness."

"And I'd rather not allow another second of this newfound flippancy."

Wisely, I hold my tongue before an "Is it flippant of me to care?" makes itself known, but I cannot hide that it's etched onto my face.

"Your overabundance of care could prove to be your undoing, Ms. Sharti." I let him have the last word and step back into the café, still mildly shaken because he's right.

I slide back into the booth, greeted by cold tea and the still strong scent of the cinnamon bread. Benu appears lost in her own thoughts and I don't think it wise to announce my return immediately. A minute and a half passing brings me to break the silence. "You're staring at your cup."

In the moment she looks at me, one part of my brain wishes I wouldn't care- after all, she's done nothing but make me doubt everything I thought I knew about a lot of things…who in their right mind would exhibit any amount of concern in return?

But in that same moment, I see someone, scared, alone, and broken, trying so hard to portray nothing amiss- nothing out of place. A brokenness they'll never admit to.

So very much like me.


DH: Thanks for reading and accept my warmest holiday wishes for you and yours. The co-author fic In A Name will be the next update I have my hand in, so help me. Thanks for your patience on that- it's proving quite the task to tackle.