I had always been one for surprises.

The first thing I noticed when answering the knocking were the colors. Morning Light streamed through the wings of my guest, causing an effect not dissimilar to a stained-glass window. It entranced my eyes as I watched the blues and greens ripple across the chipped and cracked bricks.

It was hypnotizing, and beautiful, and perf—a smack echoed around the hall.

I stood, blinking away my shock as I drew my eyes from the wall and towards the two women who stood in front of me. Butterfly wings flapped behind them both, and that combined with the short statue let me know immediately what I was dealing with, Fae, creatures of the plane of endless Forrest, and will know tricksters.

The youngest of the pair wore clothes that were expensive but from around here, a direct contrast to what I guess was her mother. She wore a ballgown the likes of which I hadn’t seen outside a historical drama, all flowing silks and modest cut. A silver circlet nestled into dark hair, and her green eyes narrowed at her companion.

For the briefest of moments, I contemplated mirroring the expression. Nobody enjoyed being charmed. I resisted, however, as I knew why they were here. No point poisoning them against me this early.

The regal woman spoke first.

“You would be the one seeking a roommate?”

Her regal voice was silky, exactly the type I’d expected from a woman dressed like she was.

“Yes. Um,” My eyes darted to the circlet, and I figured overestimation wouldn’t hurt. “Your Highness?”

She gave the nearest hint of a smile, and I swore the younger one rolled her eyes.

“Your Lady, or Lady Silkrose, will be sufficient. I would dearly loathe it if my sister thought I was usurping her rank,” With a flick of her wrist, she gestured. “And this is my little Waterfall Silkrose.”

The grimace was plain as day. “Sal Jones. If you would. Please.”

Not a fan of her name, then? A chuckle escaped my lips as I tried to imagine having to write it on every form they would force her to sign. Though, her distaste of it opened up some possibilities around the house. By the way her eyes squinted, I knew she could sense the direction of my thoughts.

I smiled and showed off the barest hint of teeth as I stared Sal down. “Please. Come in, make yourselves comfortable.”

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We sat at the second hand dining table and made small talk as I skimmed through the forms. It wasn’t my first time doing so, but I’d never seen such beautiful penmanship before. As I read, I listened to them talk in what I assumed was Fairianse. Not that I understood a word of it. Whatever words they spoke had a musical quality, and I may have gone over the same section a few times to hear more of it.

Eventually, though, I had to stop the pretence. Their conversation cut off abruptly as I pushed the form away.

“It looks good so far, but I have a question.”

“I’m single,” Sal’s’ mouth curved up into a smirk. “But not for the likes of you.”

I chuckled and leaned back in my chair.

“Waterfall. Silkrose.” The Lady’s face was the picture of calm. Her words, however? A small boat in a tempest.

Sal flinched, and it took an effort not to mimic her.

“Not what I was going to ask,” I raised a hand at The Lady’s apologetic look. “I was most curious. Why here? Not to cause offense, but this place seems beneath you.”

All three of us glanced around at the dingy apartment. With carpet water stained near several doors, scuffed walls, and the slight smell of cigarettes from the previous owner, I’d never quite gotten rid of. The silence extended long enough that I worried I’d offended them.

I watched as Sal’s eyes flicked from the carpet to the door. I smiled. She picked up on that quicker than I had expected.

Lady Silkrose was the one who broke the silence, much to Sal’s evident annoyance.

“My daughter needs to have a,” She paused, lips pursed in thought, before she continued. “An extended break from the courts.”

I nodded.

“Her behavior has been less the pleasing to certain factions, and thus I thought she should come up here and live without her usual fripperies.”

From my peripheral vision, I watched Sal’s wings curve up to hide her mouth. It did little to hide the hint of a smirk. Whatever she had done, she didn’t exactly feel terrible about it. That could make rooming with her awkward or entertaining. It would depend on how well she could keep up.

“Something like what happened outside?”

I was curious. If she had used mind control, I needed to know now. It was part of the building’s rules that aggressive mental magic didn’t occur indoors, but I had little faith anyone would crack down on it. Not if she was some kind of Fae nobility.

“I apologize for my behavior there. That was rude.”

Sal stood and bowed low enough, her head pressed into the table. “Once the agreement is signed, it shall not happen again.”

Her statement held an obvious message, her sincere tone couldn’t hide. Sal had other tricks up her sleeves. That was fine, however. She hadn’t caught all of mine.

“When would you want to move in? Stuff wise, I mean.”

“Immediately,” both women answered at the same time.

“I can have my daughter’s possessions here within the hour,” Lady Silkrose rose from the table. “I take it that means you’re agreeable to this arrangement?”

With an unnecessary flourish, I signed with one hand as I raised my other to Sal. “So you ready to sort out the chores list, then?”

Sal smiled, and we haggled. Her mother strode out with the form as our conversation turned to kitchen duties.

I hoped she liked surprises.