Free Mathieu (White Flame Trilogy) by Paula Flumerfelt Page A

up was leaning against the wall, watching him with an intense gaze. Mathieu tried to raise his hand to in front of his face, but found that he was unable to move. His eyes were slow to look down and as he did, there were traces in his vision. It took a moment, but his eyes focused and he found himself restrained by glowing bonds.
     
    “Hello?” His voice was slurred, sluggish.
     
    The blond shook his head and rubbed his chin. His eyes were a startlingly green, like the brightest emeralds; small scars littered his jaw and neck. His hands bore signs of scarring too. Physically, he was cut like a swimmer with broad shoulders that led to a tapered waist and long legs. Attractive was the first thing he thought about the man.
     
    “Hey, I’m talking to you!” Mathieu struggled to get free from his bonds, locking eyes with the blond. His words were still lagging.
     
    The man crossed the room and tilted Mathieu’s head up with strong fingers in his hair, eyes critically analyzing him, the details of his face.
     
    “’Ey!” His feet weren’t restrained so he kicked it up, catching the man in the shin.
     
    Green eyes narrowed in irritation and the blond released a hiss. Shaking his head, the man went to the door and left him alone in the room.
     
    ~*~
     
    Mathieu’s eyes flew open. That was the weirdest dream he’d ever had. Something about him had been oddly…real. He still felt that man’s fingers tugging his hair. Thinking back to it sent chills up his spine. The look the man’s eyes had been disappointed and that made a lump in his throat rise.
     
    Rubbing his eyes, he looked around the room. It was still dark, but the moons were higher. Getting out of the chair, he tucked the blankets tighter around Avian before returning the chair to its original position at the table. Then, he went back into his room and thumped down on the bed, lying diagonally across it. The room was pleasantly warm and it made him yawn. Looking at the open door over his shoulder, he closed his eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.
     
    ~*~
     
    Narrie woke him up with a hard shove, ending with him landing on the floor in a heap with his legs over his head.
     
    “Oi! That hurt.” Rubbing the quickly forming knot on his head, he yawned. He looked up between his feet at the dark-haired woman.
     
    She stood with her hands on her hips. “It’s 6:25. You have twenty minutes to get ready or we’re eating without you.” With that, she lightly nudged him in the ribs with her foot before leaving him alone.
     
    Stretching from his position on the floor, he considered last night. Avian had been so kind to offer to get him a new cello. He hadn’t even done anything, but she acted like he’d always been there.
     
    He got to his feet and went into the bathroom to splash some water on his face. His eyes drifted to the shower, however. That looks tempting…
     
    In a quarter hour, he was showered and wearing a grey cashmere sweater that hung off one shoulder and tight, black jeans that fit him well but left enough room to move. His shoes had been substituted with black flat things, definitely woman shoes. Taking them in hand, he marched into the other room and slammed them onto the breakfast table.
     
    “What’s the big idea?”
     
    “Huh?” Avian and Narrie both looked up at him like he was crazy.
     
    Mathieu motioned to his clothes and then the shoes. “These are girls’ clothing! Is this a joke?”
     
    Avian grinned. “No, it isn’t. You were chosen because you are so feminine, giving you a deceptive edge. Wearing girls’ clothes makes you seem like a very flat-chested girl, which works well.”
     
    He didn’t get it.
     
    Narrie rolled her eyes. “Let me explain. You look like a girl naturally. Wearing girls’ clothes enhances that. That means you can go anywhere with her and people will assume you’re a girl. You’ll never be told you can’t follow her somewhere, meaning no one can get the drop on her.”
     
    “I