Chapter 23

Ava couldn't resist browsing through the books in front of her. The stories of love and magic were far more captivating than anything else in the room. If only such love and devotion existed in real life. Would that be a nice feeling? Lost in her thoughts, she is interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Milady?" Grant's voice cuts through her reverie, causing her to look up and meet his gaze. He sits down, resting his hands on the table, and studies her intently.

"How long have you been here?" she questions, still trying to gather her thoughts. His giggle breaks the tension, and he relaxes in his chair.

"It's been a while, milady," he replies with a warm smile. "I couldn't help but notice the expression on your face while you were reading. It was worth being here."

Ava narrows her eyes, feeling a certain unease around Grant. There's something about him – his smile, his cunning demeanor – that puts her on edge. She doesn't trust him.

"Why are you here, Grant?" she asks, her tone cautious. "I don't appreciate your presence. You emit a strange energy, and it makes me uncomfortable. I do not like smiling and cunning men like you."

Grant's smile doesn't waver as he responds, trying to put her at ease. "I heard that you haven't eaten, so I brought you some food. Your master, Damon, asked me to look after you while he attends to some business."

He pushes the tray of food closer to her, and Ava looks at it warily. She glances around the room, only to realize that it's gotten late without her noticing. How did she lose track of time?

"I have to go," she declares, attempting to stand up, but her body refuses to cooperate. She looks at Grant, frustration evident in her eyes.

"I assure you, Ava, I mean you no harm," he assures her, maintaining his friendly expression. "I told you to eat your food while we chat."

Reluctantly, Ava concedes. When she can finally move, she grabs the cup and gulps juice before opening the plate filled with delicious chicken. She can't deny that it tastes good.

"Are you interested in knowing where Damon might be?" Grant probes, seemingly eager to engage in conversation.

Ava ponders for a moment before shaking her head. "No, not particularly."

"And why is that?" I mumble in response to Grant's question.

"Hmmm," I drop the plate and gaze at him intently. "You trust him, I see." Suddenly, the atmosphere between us lightens. "Then I won't tell you about Zulu."

"Zulu?" I inquire, my curiosity piqued. Grant chuckles softly, clearly enjoying my reaction.

"Zulu is someone special to Damon, Ava," he explains. "I don't know if he feels the same way about you as he does about her. Zulu was his life, his reason for living. But then you showed up, and seeing Damon so interested in you... I want to know who he will choose between the two of you."

"There's no need for Damon to choose between us, Grant," I firmly assert, standing up from my seat. "Damon and I are just friends, nothing more. Excuse me." As I turn around, I realize that I have no idea where my room is located. "I need you to take me to my room. I have no idea where it is."

"Of course," Grant agrees, obliging my request.

Later that night, Damon enters the room. Zulu seems to be hiding, and I haven't been able to locate her. Tomorrow will be another day of searching for that elusive girl. She has a talent for causing me stress and frustration.

"Welcome," Ava's voice greets me. She brushes her hair and slips into a night dress. "This is the only dress I could find after my shower. I was thinking... I'll sleep on the floor so that you can have the bed. You look tired."

I don't say anything and head to the bathroom for my shower. Everything feels so strange, and I can't seem to think straight. Zulu's secretive behavior is out of character for her. She usually tries to make things easier for me and keep me from stressing. Her sudden disappearance is suspicious. Perhaps someone has captured her.

Being the last of her kind is reason enough for people to go after Zulu. I trust in her strength, but I can't rely solely on that.

As I walk out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist, I see Ava sitting on the bed, still engrossed in the book she's been reading. The lights flicker on, and I gaze down to find a blanket and pillow laid out on the floor. "You know," she looks up at me, "I was expecting you to be a gentleman and decide to sleep on the floor. But since you didn't, I took it upon myself to inform you that you'll be sleeping there."

"No way," I protest, slipping on my underwear and gently lying down on the bed. Frowning, I add, "We can both share the bed, Ava, like two adults."

"I don't think so," she retorts firmly.

"And why not?" I furrow my brows, pick up the book, close it, and place it in the nearby drawer. "Are you afraid you might molest or try to rape me later?"

"The one who might do that is you, not me," she growls as I turn off the lights. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to sleep, Ava. Today has been incredibly stressful for me, and it seems tomorrow will be just as challenging."

"Looking for Zulu?" she asks, anger evident in her voice as she mumbles Zulu's name. "Who is Zulu to you, Damon?"

"A friend of mine, Ava," I respond, noticing her withdrawal as she switches on the light again. I sit on the bed, sensing her unhappiness. What is she thinking? "Don't tell me that Grant fed you with foolish notions."

"He didn't," she replies, her tone slightly softer. "I just didn't expect you to be so caught up with someone else." She lies back on the bed, preparing to switch off the light. However, before she can do so, I grab her hand and hold it firmly. Looking into her eyes, I mumble.

"You don't have to hate Zulu before you even meet her, Ava. I'm not crazy about her, but about you," I whisper, leaning closer and resting my head on her neck, taking in her scent. "I'm crazy about you, Ava. Don't pretend you're not jealous."

"I'm not jealous! Why should I be? I don't even like you," she retorts.

"You like me, Ava. You just don't want to admit it," I insist.

"I do not."

"You do."

"Do not."

"You hate me."

"I do not," she quickly mumbles, but then admits, "I do." It makes me chuckle. I lie down and pull her closer to my body, resting her head on my chest as I turn off the light. "Forgive me if I made you think too much, Ava. Tomorrow... I promise to spend the day with you, showing you around."

"Really?" she asks, sounding surprised.

I nod, but what she does next catches me off guard. She leans in and bites my lower lip, locking eyes with me, just as I usually do. "You better not go running off to look for Zulu," she mumbles as she pulls away. "I won't be happy."

"Why do I feel like we're married?" I tease. "I won't." Using my hand, I lightly slap her behind. "Now lie down and sleep, silly. Stop acting like a jealous wife."

"That hurt."

"That's why I did it," I wink, and she frowns. "Fine, let me rub it," I say, using my hand to gently rub her behind. "You have one fine derriere, Ava."

"Stop it," she mutters, rolling to the other side. I don't bother pulling her close, instead, I turn to face her and lie between her, putting my head on her chest, nestled between her breasts, as I close my eyes. "Damon."

"If the mountain won't come to me, I have to move to it. Goodnight, Ava."

"I can't sleep like this!"

"Choose then, I'll stay like this or I'll lie on the bed and you can rest your head on my chest."

"I'll rest my head on your chest," she hurriedly replies, and I giggle, lifting my head to look at her, flushed and beautiful.

"Fuck, I want to get close to you, but not right now," he expressed, his voice filled with desire. She didn't say anything, but her actions spoke volumes as she licked her lips and playfully bit her lower lip before suggesting, "Let's get some rest." With that, she laid her head on my chest and let out a soft yawn.

"Goodnight, master," she whispered gently.

"Hmm," I muttered, gazing up at the ceiling. I couldn't deny the fact that my life was on the cusp of a significant change. Choosing to spend the day with Ava instead of continuing my search for Zulu was a surprising decision even to me. I couldn't help but wonder, what exactly was this amazing girl doing to me?

Was it her infectious kindness, her unwavering support, or the way she effortlessly made my heart skip a beat? Whatever it was, something about her had captured my attention and was slowly weaving its way into the depths of my soul.