I woke early. For the first time since stepping into Malvor's absurd, ever-shifting realm, I didn't have to wander the endless halls to find the kitchen. It was there, waiting, as if the house had finally decided to stop playing tricks. I pulled ingredients out one by one, stacking flavors, building monstrosities. Espresso shots. Syrups. Whipped cream. Chocolate shavings. Caramel drizzle. Two cups of liquid chaos. Exactly the sort of thing that belonged to him. When I finished, I hesitated. One for me. One for him. My hands curled around the mugs.
"Can you take me to Malvor?" I whispered.
The door to my left swung open immediately. A small light flickered beside it. Quick. Bright. Almost… happy.
I huffed a laugh under my breath. "Thank you, house."
The light blinked back. Adorable. Balancing both drinks, I knocked against the doorframe.
"Come in," Malvor's voice called, syrupy sweet. And then, in the same breath, "Who is it?"
I rolled my eyes and stepped inside. He was draped across a chair like royalty, one arm hanging over the back, his smirk already waiting for me. Hair tousled, but perfect. Always perfect. Always irritating.
"I made you coffee," I said.
His brow lifted. "Oh. That's almost sweet of you, Annie honey bun. Maybe even useful." He stretched slowly, hand outstretched like I was there to serve him. I handed him the cup anyway.
"You have an absurd amount of options," I muttered. "So I made something equally absurd."
He hummed, lifted the cup, and sipped. His smirk faltered. Just slightly. His brows furrowed before he leaned back, taking another long drink, studying me over the rim. "Well," he murmured, "now that's just unfair."
Of course, the next words out of his mouth were, "That's almost as delicious as you, Annie Snack-um."
I gave him a flat look. He grinned wider. "Is this how you like your coffee?"
"Yes." I lifted mine. "I prefer not to taste it."
He laughed, delighted. "My darling, you are purely delightful."
I set my cup down, staring at him, letting my face remain unreadable. "Malvor. Am I solely here for your entertainment? What was the purpose of you taking possession of me?"
One brow arched. "Did I have to have a reason?"
"I guess not," I said.
He sipped again, then indulged me with the truth. "Honestly? I did it because the other eleven assholes wanted you."
I blinked. "You took me just to piss them off?"
"Oh yes, Annie cupcake. The priest promised you were worth it."
"What did you pay?"
His smirk sharpened. "The best thing I could imagine. I won't prank them for ten years."
I stared. "…That's it?"
"That's it." His grin turned wicked. "But I never said you wouldn't prank them."
I arched a brow. "Will that be my job?"
He tapped his chin. "Sometimes." Then leaned back, entirely self-satisfied. "I don't actually have a job for you. You're free to do what you want, in my realm, unless I need you."
"That sounds suspiciously like a trap."
"Darling Annie muffin, if it were a trap, you'd already be caught."
"That's not as reassuring as you think it is."
"Oh, I wasn't trying to reassure you. I was trying to be charming." I sighed. He beamed.
"Annie baby cakes, tell me more about you."
I set my cup down carefully. "My favorite colors are purple and cyan. I look good in both."
"Obviously."
"My eyes and hair are natural. But I don't know what parts of me are truly mine. My body grew under magic. I went to every temple. Every rune represents one of you."
That got his attention. "Oh really?"
"Yes." I sipped. "Did any of them feel like you?"
His eyes flickered to my ribs, the memory of those swirls etched into me. His voice dropped. "The ones on your ribs. Chaotic. Beautiful."
I tilted my head. "Of course those are yours."
"Oh? That certain, are we?"
I shrugged. "Did they feel different?"
He tapped his mug, thoughtful. Then finally admitted, "They felt… like home." Silence stretched. He let me watch him for once, no smirk, no trick. Just the weight of his words. I wasn't sure which of us was more unsettled by it.