The Writing Retreat(18)

“Beautiful.” Poppy’s nose was almost touching the canvas. “And creepy.”

“It’s perfect for Roza,” I said. “The whole story about Daphne, I mean. The same dark, disturbing vibe as her books.”

Taylor narrowed her eyes at something that looked like a twisted, blackened human organ. “Maybe she’s channeling Daphne’s demoness too.” Straightening, she looked at us. “Ready to see the bedrooms?”

The landing gave an even more impressive view of the hall and chandelier. The front of the house was dark and sunless. So if the sun was setting in the library’s windows, that meant the hall faced the south. There was something about this house that made me feel like I needed to orient myself. Taylor led us towards the left, down another hallway. The indigo-and-gold-patterned wallpaper glinted in the light from the wall sconces, which were nymphs staring determinedly ahead.

“How do we know which room is ours?” Poppy asked as we approached the doors.

Taylor winked. “You’ll see.”

“This is me,” Keira said as we came to the first door on the left. “The green room.” Poppy and I stopped in the doorway, taking it all in. An enormous four-poster bed took up much of the left side of the room, which was draped with velvety green bedding and pillows. It matched the emerald wallpaper, which showed an intricate leaf motif. A chandelier shone soft light over the room, its golden boughs intertwining in an intricate wreath. There was a large oak dresser near the bed and a wardrobe across the room, next to a stone fireplace.

We exclaimed as we went in, almost shyly. I studied the oil painting over the fireplace, which showed a shadowed naked woman standing next to a deer in the woods. Towards the back of the room, in front of one of the two windows, sat a sleek desk with a padded leather chair. It was the only modern piece of furniture in the room. I wandered closer, seeing that it was neatly covered with notebooks and other office supplies, either black or gilt-colored. Keira’s laptop sat in the center, and on top was a black jewelry box.

“Now this.” Taylor grabbed the box. “This is a welcome gift.”

“Oooh,” Poppy cried. “What is it?”

Keira watched, her expression inscrutable, as Taylor lifted out a long golden chain. Poppy studied the charm at the end of the necklace and I leaned in to see. It was the head of a lion with diamond eyes. I instinctively reached out and Taylor dropped it in my hand.

“Wow, this is heavy.” I raised and lowered the necklace. “Definitely real gold.”

“You an appraiser?” Taylor asked, eyebrow raised.

“Just an appreciator.” No need to get into my family history. I glanced at Keira. “So this was in the room when you came in?”

“Yep.” Keira folded her arms. “Wrapped up with my name on it.”

“You know, that probably makes up for a month or two of lost income.” Taylor nudged her. “If push comes to shove.”

Keira playfully elbowed her back. “Like I’d sell a necklace Roza Vallo gave me.” I handed it to her and she slipped it on. “It’s actually my style, something I’d buy. If I could afford it.”

“Did you get one too?” I asked Taylor.

“I’ll show you.” She strode to the door. “Follow me!”

Taylor’s room was much the same as Keira’s, only decorated in shades of blue. Above the fireplace was a painting of a boat on a stormy sea. While Keira’s room had been pristine, Taylor’s bed, chair, and desk were already covered with clothes and notebooks. Taylor swiped the box from the bed and brought it over.

“Aww.” Poppy cupped the small, golden figure at the end of the chain. It was a rabbit, again with diamond eyes.

“Less intimidating.” Taylor smirked. “But more bizarre. Which I’m into.” She slipped it over her neck. “We have to wear these to dinner, don’t we?”

“Absolutely.” Poppy was already at the door.

The room next to Taylor’s held Poppy’s suitcase. This room was done in hues of red and blush. Poppy beelined right to the desk, picked up the gold-wrapped box, and tore it open.

“Huh.” She wrinkled her nose.

“What is it?” Taylor bounded over and hooted. “No way!”

It was a pig. I reached out to touch its curly tail with the tip of a finger.

Keira studied it over my shoulder. “It’s cute.”

“Is this some kind of message?” Poppy laughed, but her eyes narrowed.

“That you’re adorable?” Taylor took the chain and slipped it around Poppy’s neck. She looked down and her pursed lips made us laugh.

She chuckled too. “It is cute.”

“So random,” I said.

“Let’s go.” Taylor hip bumped me. “I want to see what Alex got.”

There was just one room left across the hall. Relief bubbled up, a cool fountain in my chest. Wren wasn’t coming. Either they’d decided to ask only me or she’d had to decline, as unthinkable as that seemed.

But as we walked into the orange-hued room, I froze.

Instead of the giant four-poster bed, there were two smaller ones, side by side.

“Shit.” The word popped out. There were also two desks, pushed up against each other, each getting half of the window.