Glycerine | Astarion

Chapter One

Several minutes into her bath, she listened as Delphi began to hiss from inside of the opposite room.

"Delphi, what's wrong?" She asked, sitting up. She peeked out, watching as the cat stared directly out the window.

"Are you fighting with Mr. Hycol's cat? He won't get in, Delphi. He's not allowed."

Xynaa released the tub's water and got out before drying herself off and pulling her robe on. She walked back into the room, noticing the hair standing on the cat's back.

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Delphi, come on. Let's sleep."

She neared the bed and drew the cover back before slipping into her bed. Delphi finally moved away from the window, purring once again as she jumped onto the bed.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

The next day, Xynaa was busy with a new order that had come in right before the shop opened for the day. There were several boxes to unload.

Towards the end of her shift, Delphi sat on the counter and cleaned herself as Xynaa stowed away the few books she had pulled from the boxes and organized.

With an incense burning and a few candles, the shop offered a warm welcome, along with the friendly owner. Xynaa was quiet, but when it came to books, she didn't know how to shut up about them; they were her happy place, they were her safe haven; a peace and serenity.

Bending over, Xynaa placed a few books on the very bottom shelf as the bell above the door rang through the door.

Ten minutes before close, this wasn't usual. Most of the town knew when the shop closed.

Standing up, Xynaa turned and noticed a young man as he stood there, waiting. His eyes, dark, glinted as he watched her for a moment. His soft snow-white curls blew gently as the door closed swiftly behind him.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware you were closing. I can come back another time—"

"No, it's all right. I have nothing to do, other than to put these books away." She explained, nearing the No counter. "You must not be around here much. I don't recall seeing you. Welcome. Is there anything specific you're looking for?"

The man turned his head, avoiding her eyes with his own as his lips pursed. "A warm welcome, indeed. To be honest, I'm not sure what exactly I'm looking for. I'm looking for something. . . Mysterious, I suppose. Something that might take me off guard."

Xynaa watched him for a moment, taking in his charm and his features. He was tall and handsome, but there was something more. Something that drew Xynaa in, wanting to be closer. To feel more.

Her hands pressed against the counter as his eyes met her own. In the dim light, his eyes appeared to be a dark color, with a slight red hue. He stared at her for a moment, tilting his head as he waited.

"Um—" she quickly went through the books in front of her. "This one. This is new, it's not anywhere else yet. I was reading on it some this morning, perhaps it is of your taste."

He hummed as he took the book from her hands. "Perfect."

His fingers skimmed over the thick leather cover, over the crease of its spine as he allowed it to fall open in his hands.

"You have a nice little shop here, how long have you been in business?"

"A few years." She said, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I feel as if I might know you from somewhere. You said you've never been here before?"

He observed her carefully. Squinting lightly, he shook his head. "I'm sorry, darling, nothing is ringing a bell. But I do very much want this book, how much will you take?"

"5,"

The man dug into his pocket and pulled the gold from there, placing it on the counter. "Keep the change. I may be back for more. And thank you, . . ."

Her stomach flipped at he rose a brow, waiting.

"Xynaa. My name is Xynaa."

He smiled. "Thank you, Xynaa. I will most definitely be back for more."

As the man exited the shop, Xynaa stood there, speechless.