Page 70 of Alchemy of Souls

Then he walks out of the door and closes it behind him like this were just another day instead of the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in years. I immediately start flipping through Aurora’s section of hanging skirts, landing on a short maroon one. I pull it off the hanger, but as I do there’s a knock on the door and I jump.

“Sorry, Miss,” a girl in a maid’s uniform says when she sees my startled expression. She’s got gorgeous high cheekbones with warm brown skin, silky black hair twirled in a high bun, and startling, light green eyes. I’d guess she’s only a few years older than me. “Graysontold me you were in here and that you might need help with some of the spells?”

“Oh,” I say with a relieved breath. “Yeah, actually, I’d love your help if it’s not too much trouble?”

In no time, we pick out a pretty silk shirt and black shiny flats.

When I have it all on, she looks me over and says, “I can improve this. I’ll change the neckline of the shirt to slip off your shoulders a bit.” She runs her fingers along the fabric, weaving a spell. “Yes, better. And let’s make the sleeves shorter. Now for that skirt—”

“Wait,” I interrupt, touching her wrist and accidentally startling her. I pull my hand back. “Sorry, I just don’t want you to exhaust your magic,” I say a little sheepishly.

She looks confused and I scramble to explain myself.

“I mean, I don’t know what other magical work you need to do today and I don’t want you to exhaust yourself on my outfit.”

For a split second she’s silent, looking at me questioningly. “Are you from a Laboring family?” she asks.

“I am,” I say. “My gran and mom are housekeepers. I know the toll of working long hours for Mage families that don’t care what your magical limits are. And I’d just hate to think I was the reason you had a hard day.”

She smiles at me so genuinely that I nearly tear up and I don’t know why. Maybe she reminds me a little bit of my family.

“I can see why he likes you,” she says, and now I’m the one who startles.

“Believe me, Grayson does not like me,” I say, flustered.

“You sure about that? Because I’m willing to wager you’re wrong,” she says. “Now back to that skirt.” She twirls me so I face the mirror and stands behind me. “It’s a perfect color, but…” She flicks her wrist and the skirt loses inches and conforms to my body like a glove.

I’m not tall, but my legs look miles long. “Wow, okay, you’re incredible.”

“Don’t I know it,” she says, and I laugh. She runs her fingers along the back edge of the skirt hem. “Just a few loose threads.” She says a spell under her breath, and the fabric glows, giving off a light static charge.

She steps back, putting her hands on her hips. “And you’re finished.”

“Seriously, thank you—” I say as she heads for the door. “Also, I didn’t get your name?”

She smiles and I swear she’s one of the prettiest people I’ve ever seen. “Sage.”

Sage exits the room, closing the door behind her, and leaving me alone in front of the floor-length mirror. I unbraid my hair, shaking out my brown waves that fall to my waistline.

Which is when there’s another knock.

“Come in,” I say, and Grayson opens the door.

His hair is mostly dry, hanging in waves around his face. His black T-shirt shows off his tanned arms in a way that’s hard not to notice. His dark jeans ride low on his hips and his shiny boots scream luxury. When my eyes meet his, the heat of his gaze makes me blush all the way to my toes.

“Do you need help with—” He stops, looking at me with wide eyes. He swallows. “Oh,” is all he says.

“Is that a goodohor a bad one?” I ask.

“Definitely good,” he says hurriedly, and for the first time ever Grayson looks flustered. Now I’m wondering if Sage was right. But she couldn’t be, could she?

CHAPTER 36Grayson

Eloise’s outfit is going to be my undoing. I can barely look at her and remember how to form thoughts, which is just—

I don’t get flustered over women. I don’t get flustered overanyone.

“Is this Adrien’s house?” Eloise asks, looking at a moderately sized tree house with a bunch of Uni students drinking on its wraparound balcony.