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“We’ll wait, but you’ll have to put up with me for gods know how long.” He nodded.

“Good. I mean, fine.” She shovelled a heaped spoon of cereal into her mouth. He resisted the urge to laugh, seeing her appetite return as she got her way.

“It’s the least I can do for all you’ve done for me.”

“You can let me auction off your coffin.”

“Really? That’s what you want? Out of all you could ask of me?”

“It’s your home; I think it’s a huge ask. I wouldn’t give you my house.”

Technically, she was right.

“I’ve to admit I was suspicious of your motives for helping me, but is my coffin really all that you desire of me?” Gideon asked.

“All? It’s worth a fortune. If I can auction it off, then I’ll be able to repair my house. I’m sure you’ve noticed it’s in desperate need of a new roof,” she said, eyeing the buckets dotting around the kitchen collecting from the leaks.

“It’s yours,” he agreed.

“Just like that?” Her eyes narrowed.

“You saved my life, and once I get my memories back, I’m sure I’ll be able to get another. If I could afford a gold coffin before, I’m sure money is of little consequence to my clan,” he said, shrugging.

“Deal, no takebacks.” Her hand shot out. It wasn’t ladylike to shake hands, but they were far past any concerns of decency.

“Get me home, and I’ll help you fix up yours,” he agreed, taking her hand.

Was her past why she nursed me back to health, because she couldn’t save her family? Or was it really for my coffin? Either way, I owe her, and she’s lost so much; helping restore her family home feels like small ask. He sipped his blood while they finished their breakfast in peace. He wanted to ask her about her family, wanting to know the good in her past, not just the sorrow, when he felt something brush past his feet.

“What is that?” Gideon startled, leaping out of the creature’s path. Aerin stared at him, standing on the ceiling, laughing at his expense. As mortified as he was, the sadness left her eyes when she saw him in such panic.

“How did that thing get in here?” Gideon asked, pointing at the shelled creature crawling across the floor with a pile of seaweed in its mouth.

“This is Royce. He comes and goes as he pleases.”

“I think I would’ve told you if I had come across a turtle wandering around your home,” Gideon said, staring at the oversized turtle.

“You can’t be frightened of a turtle? He must’ve got hungry and come up from the beach. He must have got into my seaweed delivery. I’ll be surprised if there’s any left. The old turtle’s appetite matches your thirst.”

“I’m not frightened; I just got a fright. I’ve lost some of my memories, but I still have my senses,” he argued, continuing to walk along the ceiling.

“Then why are you still on the ceiling?” Aerin crossed her arms.

“Are you going to put him back outside?” Gideon glared at the turtle, who chewed happily, unaware that he had rudely interrupted their conversation.

“Why would I? Royce comes and goes as he pleases. He’s been here since the house was built. This house belongs to him more than to any of us,” Aerin said, kneeling to stroke the turtle’s shell as he nibbled his favorite snack. “Please don’t eat him if you get thirsty.”

“I’ve no interest in feasting on sea creatures.” Gideon shuddered. “I made that mistake with you.”

“He’s a leatherback turtle, and I’m glad we’re on the same page.” She picked up her tote bag, getting ready to leave. “Can you please get off my ceiling now?” She lifted up his mug of blood, like she was hoping it would lure him down. He suddenly felt like he was one of her pets.

“Why Royce?” Gideon asked, walking down the wall by the doorway.

“Like the car, Rolls-Royce.”

“Aren’t cars fast?” Gideon asked, based on his experience with the car that nearly flattened them yesterday. “He’s a turtle.”

“Exactly.”