Academia of the Beast: A Dark Retelling of Beauty and the Beast(12)

“Prince Conall?”

There was no reply. Conall was nowhere to be found. All that surrounded her were fluffy white pillows and the softest blankets she’d ever felt. She was inclined to lie back down and let her body melt into the mattress.

Instead, Allyn tried to stand. She doubled over and groaned. She knew that she’d overdone it with the alcohol. The sound of footsteps coming up the stairs startled her.

She stood, still a bit drunk, and watched as Conall came up the stairs in a pair of maroon pajama pants and a T-shirt.

God, he looked good with wet messy hair and in casual clothes that clung to his muscled arms and chest. A hint of his abs shown through the white cotton and she forced her gaze to return to his face.

“So,” she said, forcing a sheepish smile. “Princes sleep in old T-shirts just like everyone else. Good to know.”

He chuckled and shook his head as he crossed his arms. “How are you feeling?”

Shrugging, Allyn looked down, realizing that she was still in the dress Aude and Khia had let her borrow. “I’ve been better. Thank you for taking care of me.”

“Of course. I shouldn’t have given you more wine.”

“You couldn’t have known how much of a lightweight I am.”

“True.” He nodded toward the half-wall that overlooked the rest of the apartment. “I’m making waffles if you’re keen.”

Allyn licked her lips. “Yes. Please.”

He clasped his hands together. “Good. I think it will help soak up some of the alcohol. I’ll put some bacon on too.”

“Wow,” she said under her breath. “He cooks.”

“I heard that,” he said, a crooked grin on his lips. “Why don’t you take a shower and meet me in the dining room. It should be ready soon.”

Allyn glanced at his bathroom. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I did,” Conall said. “There are fresh clothes on the vanity. I had Eden pick some up for you.”

“Damn. You’re too good to be true.”

He laughed again and turned to head back down the stairs. “Try not to pass out in the shower, Miss Carmody.”

Allyn smiled despite her throbbing headache. Whatever was happening, she wasn’t complaining.

Once he was gone, she walked across the cool dark wood floor to the pristine, white bathroom and turned on the shower. Her eyes widened with delight at how many shower heads sprouted hot water into the rectangular shower. She clapped her hands and almost squealed with excitement. She hadn’t had a hot shower in weeks since the power was cut off. She was lucky to have water at all and found herself having to run all of the taps throughout the day and night to keep the pipes from freezing.

This, she could get used to. She slid the dress off of her shoulders and watched the mirror fog with steam.

Too bad she’d be sent back to the streets at any moment.

After her shower, Allyn put on a pair of black pants that she tucked into flat slate-gray boots and an evergreen sweater. She glanced at herself in the mirror, pulling her hair into a ponytail and pleased with Edan’s taste in clothes.

The smell of bacon and coffee ushered her from the bathroom and down the tall, winding, black stairs that led to the main floor. Prince Conall stood behind the island, making their plates. With the push of a button, a television lowered from the ceiling, its screen curved inward. The images of the imperial news channel played before the screen in 3D that one could almost touch.

Allyn watched scenes of riots in the neighboring kingdom and her brows furrowed. “Goodness. It’s getting pretty bad.”

“Same stuff. Different day.” Conall glanced at the screen and changed the channel to a documentary on how the pyramids were leveled during the war.

“I suppose,” she said.

“Hungry?”

She nodded, licking her lips as she looked down at the pretty plates he’d made. She hadn’t eaten such a well-balanced and colorful meal in ages. Fresh fruit, waffles with butter and syrup and bacon made her mouth water. Her stomach grumbled when he picked up the plates.

“Let’s sit on the balcony,” he said and led her across the floor to the enclosed balcony that overlooked the white-covered city.

They sat at a black table and the soft hush of snow and sleet provided an ambient soundtrack to their breakfast. Hot coffee, sugar, cream and syrup already awaited them on the tabletop.

She took one bite of the crispy bacon and moaned. “This is so good.” The taste of maple, mixed with the salty flavor awakened her taste buds.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said and poured more syrup on his stack of waffles. “You mentioned your father last night. What about your mother? Tell me about her.”

Allyn tilted her head, looking into her cup of coffee. “She died when I was a little girl.”

Conall paused pouring the syrup. He lowered the bottle. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. It was a long time ago. I just hate that it was so sudden. She wasn’t even sick.”

“That’s awful,” Conall said, shaking his head. “I lost my mother as a child as well.”

Allyn nodded. “I know. We have something else in common.”

“More than I’d anticipated.”