Chapter 36
Elowen
My fingers stop on the keys when someone tilts my head with a gentle grip on my chin. Salvario.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his brows furrowed.
No words come out.
“Why are you playing the same music on repeat?”
“Do you remember this?” The words come low from my dry throat.
He shakes his head.
“We played it together.”
“I don’t remember it. Something bad must have happened after we played it.”
I turn my head; his hand drops from my face.
“Yes. I kissed you, and you ran away.”
He chuckles. “That sounds like something worth forgetting.”
I stare at the piano, going back to the memories of another black piano and the roses around it.
“I’m not a good man, Princess. And you should stay away from me.”
“I know you’re not a good man. And I want to know what kind of bad man you are.”
Another day.
“I need nothing else at all.”
The memory melts into another.
“Promise me you won’t hate me when I kill your father.”
I want to go back to that night and tell him I won’t. It would be a lie, but I would still do it, so he’d keep me there. In that cold mansion where no one could ever come between us.
The memories keep playing, showing me every moment I shared with him. And they end with how I betrayed everything we had.
“Here. Drink this.” Salvario’s voice pulls me out of my head.
I don’t meet his eyes, he’ll see the betrayal there. I can’t let him see it. I can’t hurt him the way others have.
“Princess.” He places his hand on my shoulder.
“Hmm.”
“Look at me.”
Hesitantly, I turn and look at him.
“Do you want to talk to your therapist? You’re dissociating too much today.”
I shake my head. “I’ll be fine.”
“Have this tea. It’ll help you relax.”
I nod and take the cup.
He doesn’t leave while I drink. With every sip, I feel myself relaxing a little more. By the time I finish, I’m floating. A smile finds its way to my lips.
I look at Salvario. “What was in it? I feel incredible.”
He smiles. “A few herbs Iselyn gave me.”
I chuckle. “It’s amazing.”
My thoughts go hazy, and a strong wave of euphoria rolls through me. I rise from the piano bench and throw my arms around Salvario.
“Thank you so much,” I say, giggling.
He strokes my hair. “Anything for you, Princess.”
I pull back and hold his hand. “Will you dance with me?”
He nods. “Why not?”
I grin and shout at the room assistant to play “One More Night” by Sherry.
Salvario chuckles, watching me.
Bruno and Rosie appear in the living room as the music starts.
“Ahh, my babies are here!” I run to them and drop to my knees in front of them. “Let’s dance!” I announce, twirling on the floor.
Bruno starts dancing first.
“Yes, baby, show everyone your moves!”
He’s such a little dancer.
I jump to my feet. Salvario moves close behind me, not dancing, just keeping his hand on my waist. I press my back to his chest, arms in the air, head rolling against his shoulder.
Yes, this is how I used to live. So freely. I won’t burden myself anymore.
I turn to Salvario and loop my arms around his neck.
“Will you take me on a date?”
He nods, grinning.
I bounce away. “Let me go pick my prettiest dress.”
Still dancing, I move upstairs into my room and straight to my gorgeous closet. I find a lavender dress with a thigh-high slit. I strip off my clothes and toss them aside, then pull on a matching set of untouched sexy lingerie and slide the dress over it. I twirl to see it from every angle.
“You’re fucking gorgeous, woman.” I blow a kiss to my reflection, then grab my shoes. I pick silver heels, swipe on lip gloss, run a comb through my hair, grab a bag, and walk out of the closet humming “Next Wednesday.” I take my phone from the nightstand, toss it into my bag, and walk out.
Salvario stands at the foot of the stairs in the same clothes. Well, he doesn’t need to change, he looks drop-dead gorgeous in his black shirt and trousers.
He extends his hand as I reach the bottom of the stairs. I place mine in his.
“You look beautiful, Princess.”
I grin. “I know.”
He chuckles.
Bruno and Rosie come to me as we reach the door. I crouch and kiss each of their heads. “Be good. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
I walk out the door. Bruno barks behind me, but Salvario closes it.
I don’t think twice about Bruno and Rosie or anything troubling, and walk with Salvario to the garage.
He goes inside while I stay out, basking in the sunlight.
It’s not cold enough here for a sweater, but just cold enough that the sunlight feels soothing.
I stretch my arms to the sky, face tilted up, a grin stretched across my face. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this happy. Or have I ever? My brain tries to push up the thought of why this is happening all of a sudden, but the thought blocks itself.
I keep smiling until Salvario’s SUV honks.
I walk to the passenger door, open it, and slide in, flashing Salvario a grin. He returns it.
We ate. We shopped. Now we’re back home, and I’m feeling the dip again. My smile flickers on and off on its own. There’s a mess of thoughts in my head, everything I blocked a few hours ago is now returning, piece by piece. But between them, pulses of happiness fire on their own.
“Make me that tea,” I ask Salvario, irritation in my voice but a smile still on my lips.
“Sure, Princess. You sit here and rest. I’ll bring it to you.”
I nod, flopping onto the couch. Bruno climbs up beside me. I don’t have the energy to pet him, or even touch him. My energy is plummeting.
My phone rings in my bag. I force my hand out to grab it. With a lot of effort, and mounting irritation, I fish out the phone.
Hunter. Why is he calling me?
My heart rate spikes. My hands shake as I press answer and bring the phone to my ear.
“What were you doing with him?” His angry voice comes through the other end.
My breathing turns shallow. I somehow find my voice and murmur the words. “I went on a date.”
“Date?” He laughs, a bitter edge cutting through the sound.
A pulse of happiness hits again, and I chuckle. “Yup, a date. And I enjoyed it. Want to join us next time?”
“What the fuck are you saying?” His voice grows angrier, but I can’t seem to care.
“I’m saying come here and hang out with us. It’ll be so much fun. I’ll buy some nice shirts for you too.”
“Too? You bought shirts for that motherfucker? And why do you sound so drunk? Did you drink?”
“Ahhh, don’t be such a boring sulk, okay? I didn’t drink, but I don’t see the problem with doing it. Bye, I’m in no mood to listen to your grumpy voice.”
I end the call, switch off the phone, and toss it into my bag. The pulse of happiness vanishes again, and now I’m replaying what I just said. My head spins. I press my palms to it.
Salvario returns. He hands me the warm tea. I take it greedily, my hand is shaking. I take a long sip and instantly feel the relaxation wash over me.
By the time I finish the cup, I’m back to my happy self. Hunter’s words float back to me; he was so irritated about me drinking.
I look at Salvario, tilting my head. “Will you drink with me?”
He nods.