His Slave

32. Pancakes

Erin

I'm lying on the floor, staring up at the morning light filtering in through the glass ceiling up above when I hear one of the double doors on the other end of the library open.

I'm expecting James to come in, having finally cooled off enough after I exploded on him twice yesterday.

A bit of guilt wells up inside of me but I push it aside. No. I had a right to get angry about what he said. I definitely could have been a little more diplomatic, but it doesn't matter now. I know James won't report me for my violent, disrespectful, rebellious outburst. I just have to hope that Emily won't report me, either.

It's not James who enters, though, and I'm a little surprised when I hear Anna's voice calling to me on the other end of the library.

I let out a heavy sigh and pull myself up into a sitting position. "Over here," I call back, running my hands over my face. I didn't sleep well last night. I doubt James did either. He was probably seething all night, trying to decide the perfect punishment to redress my outbursts with.

"Those are some nice eye bags you got there," Anna remarks as she comes over to me.

I scowl at her. "Yeah well, you try sleeping in a fucking library," I spit.

Anna shakes her head at me. "Last I checked you made the decision to sleep in here last night, so you only have yourself to blame," she retorts, joining me on the floor.

I sigh. "I... needed space from James," I tell her, cracking my neck. Sleeping in an armchair is definitely better than sleeping on hardwood floors, but not by much. When I saw the first rays of the morning light filter down into the library I went and laid down on the floor to watch the sunrise. It was beautiful.

Anna grimaces. "Right. About that," she starts, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. "He asked me to come get you... for breakfast," she adds.

I scoff. "He can 'come get me' himself," I snap back. "Or is he too afraid I'll bite his head off again?"

Anna snorts, stifling a laugh. The look that crosses her features then is one of resignation and empathy. "Erin, I've never seen him so upset before," she adds slowly.

I throw my hands out in disbelief. "Is he surprised that somebody finally stood up to him for once?" I ask, letting out a cynical laugh.

"Erin, please?" Anna begs.

I narrow my eyes at her, folding my arms over my chest. "Give me one good reason," I demand. "And I'll go with you."

Anna thinks for a moment. "Well, I've never seen James Harrington cook pancakes before," she says, rolling her eyes flirtatiously.

"James hates pancakes," I say simply.

Anna shrugs. "But you don't," she replies, dragging out the words.

No. No, I love pancakes. James made pancakes just for me? I don't know why, but my heart swells a little at the thought.

I sniff a laugh. "I didn't even know he could cook," I remark.

"Neither did I," Anna replies and we share a laugh.

After a moment, I sigh, finally deciding to give in. "Fine," I say before getting to my feet.

Anna gets up too, leading me out of the library up to James' private kitchen on the top floor. "Good luck," she says, giving me a playful salute.

I laugh. "Thanks, Anna," I say as she leaves, retreating back down the stairs. Once she's gone, I turn back towards the door to the kitchen. I take a deep breath to steady my nerves before opening it and stepping inside.