Book 17: Pleasure and Pain

Posey

I don’t deserve this for what I’ve done. This room. This dream of mine coming to fruition. I run my fingers over every surface, count the steps from one side of the room to the other, and stare out of the trio of windows along the curve of the wall for a long time.

The stars hang heavy when I finally ask the spirits of the house for help. The female is eager, pleased with the state of the room and the list I give her, which is quickly whisked away and disappears into the shadows of the highest rafters, where my footsteps echo as the male spirit moves things around and reorients the space for me. I only leave to change out of my pajamas in the adjoining bedroom, which is small but cozy and well furnished, when I realize there is no way I’m sleeping tonight, not with my thoughts so tangled and my heart wracked by guilt.

I try to call Willow i