CHAPTER 23
Katy
A
xel’s face went blank as he read the note. He stared at it for several minutes before saying in a strangled voice, “This doesn’t say anything has happened. The director is simply taking precautions after what happened five years ago.”
“But Axel—”
“If my father thinks the note-writer is back, he won’t let me near the theater.
And how do I explain the director’s concern without telling him about Gunther, Heidi, everything?
My parents will never trust me again if they discover all the lies I told.
” His fist clenched around the paper, crumpling it into a small ball.
“I won’t learn the part, and everything will be fine. ”
“Axel.” Katy set her hands on his shoulders. “If the theater isn’t safe, you shouldn’t be there.”
“It is only attending a show.” He turned his head toward the window. “I’m not suggesting that I attend rehearsals. Besides, I don’t think the note-writer wants to hurt me; it’s everyone else I’m worried about.”
The corners of her mouth pulled down. “Axel, he set the theater on fire. With you in it.”
“Yes, but he…” Shoving out of the chair, he brushed past her hands.
He strode around his desk, then paced in the open area on the other side.
“I finally have the theater back. I can’t learn the show, I understand that.
But I can’t give it up completely.” He stopped and turned to her, his eyes pleading.
“If I can’t perform, at least I can listen. ”
Listening wouldn’t be enough for him. After watching him for the last five and a half years, she knew he would ache to join in. “I don’t want to keep you from the theater, Axel. I just want you to be safe.”
“Helena is back,” he snorted. “I’m no longer necessary.”
“Has your father said that?” Katy demanded indignantly. He shook his head. “Even if you weren’t needed for the succession, what about me? What about our child?”
“You mean the child that you—” He bit off his words, hanging his head as he turned away. “I’m sorry, Katy; I didn’t mean to say that.”
Didn’t mean to say it, perhaps. But he meant it.
It stung, but Katy held back her anger, knowing she deserved it. He had hidden his identity when they met at the theater, and she had held that over his head for months. She had hidden her promise to give their future child to a dangerous stranger. For years.
It made it worse that she had been using his omission to cover for her own. She deserved worse than the occasional bitter comment.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “If there are no notes or accidents, then there will be no reason to stay away. But if the director brings another note that demands that you or Gunther sing, I think the king needs to know.”
After a few moments of silence, she opened her eyes again. Axel’s mouth was scrunched, his fingers digging into his waist as he stared up at the ceiling. She stepped closer and set a careful hand on his arm.
Releasing a sigh, he wrapped his arms around her. “Anything for you, Katy,” he whispered.