Whispering Suits

I wake up in a room I actually recognise, this time. I wonder how I should feel about Cyrus bringing me back to his place, but then I move and I can feel the tenderness on my face and body from where Maya hit me and realise it might have been a purely strategic move. He couldn’t exactly take me home to Gran all bloodied and beaten up, she would totally get the wrong idea. I try to sit up, but everything hurts and aches. I suppose I should be grateful Maya just slapped me about, and I try not to imagine how much damage she could do if she really wanted to hurt me. Cyrus walks in, his face a mask of worry and concern, and he breathes out a sigh of relief when he sees I’m awake. “Indigo, thank the seasons, are you okay?” He says, and for a moment I truly believe the concern in his tone is real. I have to force myself to remember he is a Faerie. I can’t go all soft on him just because he may have saved my life. “I’m fine, nothing that won’t mend. At least, I hope so.” I say, but it’s difficult to talk through the pain. Cyrus sits on the end of the bed, and I have to look away from him or I’ll be drawn in by those puppy dog eyes. “I wanted to apologize. Maya crossed a line, but she only did so because of me. I should have gotten to you sooner. I’m sorry.” Cyrus’s voice is back to its soft irresistible velvet tone, and I feel suddenly aware that we are in a bedroom. I cross my arms and try to seem un-bothered. “I think I’m more upset about you calling me your property. But…thank you for coming. I wasn’t certain you would. I’m not an idiot, I know it could have gotten a lot worse if you hadn’t shown up when you did.” I say, finally meeting Cyrus’s gaze. “Thank you”. Cyrus runs a hand through his hair, and I can just about make out the red tattoo like symbols on his arm from when he used that Tarot card. I feel myself flush as I remember the sight of him shirtless, and I have to look away again. I can’t tell if Cyrus has noticed the effect he’s started to have on me, and a part of me deeply hopes he hasn’t. He certainly doesn’t seem aware right now, when I manage to look back at him, he is looking up at the ceiling seemingly lost in thought. “Yeah, I’m sorry about the property thing. There is nothing else really stopping Maya, or any other Faeries, from messing with you. But, if I claim you as my property, they have to give you at least some courtesy. It was the best thing I could think of at the time, but it’ll likely get me in trouble with my….with the Summer King…Can I ask you something, Indy?” Cyrus turns to look at me, and I manage a nod. “Why didn’t you just agree to leave our deal? I would have understood, afterall, it’s not like this is all working out as planned. Maya wouldn’t have hurt you if you’d just agreed to not see me again, so why didn’t you?” I can feel myself blushing, and I pull the blanket up protectively to shield myself. It’s a good question, I could have saved myself the pain I’m in now if I had just given in. And, really, how do I expect this all to pan out. I know things are only going to get worse, especially now that I’ve had an actual confrontation with the Spring Queen herself. But, I couldn’t do it. Why? I feel Cyrus’s eyes on me, the heat in them makes me feel…. I take a deep breath. “I just didn’t want to lose my leverage. Afterall, without our deal there was no reason for you to come save me, right? So, practically speaking, agreeing to give up said deal would leave me at a disadvantage. Besides, the smug bitch didn’t say ‘please’, and wouldn’t you know it I’m just really big on manners.” I steady myself on the bed, I'm going to need a rest after this. Cyrus sits and considers what I've said. “Is that really the only reason?” He asks, his voice quiet. “Is that you cashing in your one question?” I quip back, surprised at myself for how defensive I'm being. Cyrus shakes his head. We sit in silence for a moment, then Cyrus stands up. “I should let you get some rest. I'll bring in some food and some medicine in a bit, you're going to have some bruises for a bit. You might want to think of a story to tell your family, or not, it's not really any of my business”. Cyrus pauses at the door, looking back over his shoulder. “Shout up if you need me, alright” he says before finally leaving. The air around me feels colder now he's left and I feel almost guilty for shutting the conversation down like that. But I wasn't being dishonest. Right? I can't think about this now, I didn't mean to hurt his feelings but what could he expect. He's a Faerie, and I'm a mortal with the Sight. We're the closest thing to natural enemies you can get. I only ever agreed to this deal so I could learn to keep Dan safe. I curl up in the bed, the sheets are soft but they don't smell right, mum always used this lavender soap on our stuff at home and I'm used to falling asleep to that smell. At least it's warm, and I'm too tired and I think I might have a minor concussion from Maya whacking me around the head. I'll give it to her, she certainly scared me. As I fall back to sleep, the persistent question that has been bothering me comes back to the forefront of my mind. Who exactly is Cyrus?