I step back from her, suddenly needing the space. I curl my fingers into a fist, the lingering touch of her skin seemingly burning its way into my flesh like a branding.
"I think it's time for you to go back to your room now," I tell her quietly, and secretly hating the way my voice comes out callous.
She gives me an almost imperceptible nod and stands from the piano, gently lowering the fallboard and pushing in the bench. I watch as she looks longingly back at the books, and I can almost hear the question in her mind.
"You can take some books to your room, if you'd like," I tell her. Her gaze snaps to mine, perhaps wondering if I somehow read her thoughts.
A slow smile appears on her face, making her impossibly more beautiful, and I can practically feel the happiness exuding from her every pore as she runs over to the nearest shelves and grabs several romance, thriller and mystery books, piling them high in her arms.
As I help her carry the books up to her room, Adeline chatters on about her favorite authors and how she got lost in one of their books today and lost complete track of time.
"I enjoy Tolkien myself," I tell her, naming one of her favorites. The ease in which we're carrying on a normal conversation does not escape me.
Adeline proceeds to tell me how much she lovesThe Lord of the Ringsseries. "Oh, and have you seen the movies?" When I shake my head, she continues by spiritedly saying, "They're not as good as the books, of course. Movies never are. But the director, Peter Jackson, did a great adaptation." She stops talking and takes a breath, chuckling lightly. "Sorry I'm rambling." She flashes me a shy smile. "It feels like forever since I just…talked with anyone."
I grimace inwardly at her words. It's my fault she feels that way. Before I can even stop myself, I suggest, "We could watch the movies sometime."
The myriad of emotions that play over Adeline's face over the next few seconds make my heart stutter. At first she's excited, but then obviously confused and then lastly forlorn. "Sure," she says quietly.
I open the door to her room, and she steps inside. She takes the books from me, and her fingertips graze against my forearms. My eyes flutter close. I'm awaiting the barrage of malevolent thoughts, but they don't come. All I can think about is…her.
When I open my eyes, Adeline is looking up at me with those emerald orbs that give me a glimpse into the beautiful soul that lies beneath.
"Thank you for the books, Lucien," she says, my name a caress on her lips and her tone no longer contains the revulsion I'm used to hearing.
"Goodnight, Adeline," I tell her.
"Goodnight," she whispers with a sweet smile.
I close the door, placing my palm against the wood as I hear the beep signaling that she's locked away for safekeeping.
And I know if I had it my way…Adeline would never leave.
I would keep her forever.
CHAPTER 29
ADELINE
SO MUCH HAS changed over the past week. Lucien has actually been…nice to me. I don't know why or how, but I've stopped questioning it. We've been eating our meals in the dining room together every evening, sometimes with Jax and sometimes just the two of us, and he's been giving me more time in the library where my mind just gobbles up book after book after book.
It's a welcome reprieve from reality, and I couldn't be happier about it. Although, if I'm being completely honest, my reality hasn't really been all that bad lately.
However, the more I'm around Lucien, the more confused I become, because I have a dark, looming cloud of doubt if my feelings are truly genuine or not. I don't know if I've completely lost my mind or if I have a bad case of Stockholm syndrome; but the more time I spend with Lucien, the more I've grown to like him. And when he's not around, I actually miss him. I know what I'm feeling sounds crazy, but I can't help it.
I'm growing tolikehim.
He's smart and handsome, and his smile, although rare, could melt even the coldest of hearts.
It's late in the afternoon, and I'm curled up, reading in bed when Lucien unexpectedly comes to my room. Usually I don't see him until around dinnertime, and so I'm surprised…andhappyfor his visit.
"Hello, Adeline," he says when he enters, and I can't help but love the sound of my name coming out of his mouth. He's wearing a grin that has become a constant accessory as of late. It's nice to see him smile so much.
"Hi."
I notice that he's carrying a small, white box in his hands, and my interest is instantly piqued. He catches my gaze and stares down at the box. "I have a present for you," he tells me. "Well, two actually," he adds quickly.
He closes the distance between us in a few long strides and hands the box to me. I take it from him without any hesitation, and it surprises me. We've definitely developed a level of trust between the two of us recently, against all odds.
