19
The royal chambers of Houska Castle had walls of ivory and dark cherry wood. At least, that’s what Amanda thought it was. Sometimes it was hard to know what things were actually made of here. She strolled through the rooms, looking at the paintings and strange art objects.
Marc had written once that he liked to collect antiques and artifacts, and had promised to show her at some point. She’d never imagined them to be of such an... organic nature. What appeared to be a bizarre human-deer hybrid, hung suspended in a massive block of amber. The skeleton of the largest snake Amanda had ever seen curled around the walls of three entire rooms and ended in a head the size of a small car. Stuffed birds in rainbow shrouds filled one room, and strange abstract paintings in upsetting color-combinations lined the walls in another. There were, of course, weapons as well. Rune-etched blades mounted on pedestals – one dripping acid into a sizzling pool, another burning with blue flames.
When Marc first brought her to Hell to ask her out on a date, she’d never thought that she’d be back so soon. She took a grape from a fruit bowl and put in her mouth. Her face twisted in horror, and she spat it out on the floor. A dark red liquid pooled around it. She dried her tongue on her sleeve, desperate to get the foul taste out of her mouth.
Of course, that’s when Marc entered the room. “Ah, I see you’ve tried the aged harpy eggs. They’re a delicacy.”
“Disgusting!” Amanda said, spitting.
“They say it’s an acquired taste.” Marc shrugged and threw off his suit jacket.
“I’ll need real food if I’m going to stay here.”
“That’s not how it sounded a few hours ago.” Marc turned his head toward the ceiling pressed the back of his hand against his forehead. “‘Oh, please, Marc, take me with you! I’m begging you!”
Amanda crossed her arms. “That’s not how I sound!”
Marc smirked and strutted over to a cabinet, pulling out a tray filled with pots and plates. Amanda eyed the meat suspiciously.
“I promise you it’s beef,” Marc said handing her a fork. “And those are actual grapes. Enjoy.”
She sat down on a couch and started stuffing her face. She hadn’t eaten anything since the sushi at the mall, and that felt like ages ago. That day still seemed like a dream – a strange nightmare that wouldn’t leave her mind. She wondered if Sarah had ended up in Heaven or if she was around here somewhere.
“What?” Amanda said when she noticed that Marc was watching her.
“Nothing.” The smile still lingered on his lips. “I just like looking at you.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so she just whispered a quick ‘thanks’ and popped another grape into her mouth. She instantly felt awkward and rose out of her seat, walking over to an old suit of armor, pretending to examine it.
“What will happen at noon tomorrow?” Amanda said.
“Don’t worry about it.”
A shiver touched Amanda’s neck and arms. She hadn’t realized Marc was right behind her. She felt his hot breath on her neck, and his arms encircle her waist. With a sigh, she let herself fall back against his chest, the back of her head resting on his shoulder. The window in the ceiling showed nothing but darkness and one tiny bright spot.
“This is the closest spot to Earth,” Marc said pointing at the bright dot in the window. “That is a hole that leads to the surface – the only real sunlight in all of Hell. Apart from you, of course!”
“Oh, shut–” Amanda was cut off by Marc’s lips, kissing her gently.
Bursts of goosebumps exploded all over her skin. Her fingers dug into his arms. For a moment she thought she’d lose her balance, but Marc held her steadily. She closed her eyes, and a tiny gasp escaped her lungs. The feeling was a thousand times better than in her fantasy.
Blushing, she returned the kiss.