Page 47 of Blood and Thorns

“Hi, sorry about that,” Chip said, unrepentant when he appeared at the top of the spiral staircase, his black tie loosened around his neck. Holding a silver tray, he set down the single China cup and saucer. Steam from the tea rose, the scent sweet.

I didn’t touch it.

“So, you play a lot of chess?” I asked, unsure how to take him.

Chip was younger than me by a couple years, and other than inviting me to dinner most evenings, we didn’t speak.

“This is my favourite game,” Chip said. “Not many games have a queen willing to die for her king.”

“And yet the king is nothing without the most powerful piece on the board.”

His eyes brightened at my reply, a small smile tugging his lips. “Touché.”

The board was already mid play, the pieces positioned. I wasn’t sure whether I was allowed to touch them, so I didn’t.

“It’s fine, Mr Devereaux won’t mind.” Chip began to reset the board.

My gaze snapped up. “Sebastian plays?”

Chip nodded, turning the board so he was the dark and I was the light. “Chess is a strategy game. It teaches you to anticipate your opponent’s move several turns in advance.The aim is to control the centre of the board, which gives you more power and options.”

“So it’s not too dissimilar to life then,” I laughed.

“Exactly.” Chip waited until I moved my first pawn before mirroring the exact same move. “It teaches you to protect your pieces and to know when to sacrifice.”

“So less like life.” I laughed more awkwardly this time, especially when Chip didn’t react with the expected smile. “So, how long have you worked for Sebastian?” I asked, moving my next pawn.

He glanced up briefly before looking down. “A few years. My mum thought I was acting out and hoped Mr Devereaux would be able to help.”

I knew he and Beatrice were mother and son, but it took me a while to notice the resemblance. Their light hair and darker eyes. “That’s nice, to be able to work with your mum.”

“She’s overbearing,” he commented, his gaze remaining on the board. “I hate that she watches me like I’m still five, waiting for me to fuck up so she can prove herself right.”

“At least she’s here,” I whispered, immediately regretting the words as soon as they’d spilled. I looked up, finding Chip watching me with an unidentifiable emotion.

“What about your mum?” he asked, moving his next piece.

Stop crying like a baby, Bella.

I hadn’t thought of my mum in so long, the memory of her voice made me jerk.

“Ara?”

“She’s not like yours,” I said, clearing my throat. “She wasn’t… there for me.”

Why are you even here, Bella?

Go in the other room. Why can’t you just leave me alone?

You’re always in the way.

I struggled to remember the good times, when she cared that I even existed. It was hard because what little memories of her I had were tainted, and I hated her for it.

“She died when I was a kid,” I continued, moving my next pawn. “When I was really young, she was present, but as I got older she seemed to sink into herself.”

It was better before you were born.

Dad and I were happy until you showed up.