But the moment Cosette walked into the foyer, any further thought ceased to exist, for the splendor that met her gaze quite literally eclipsed all else.
From the large crystal chandelier overhead, to the white plaster medallions decorating the ceiling, from the gold wallpaper and the swirling white and gold marble floor beneath her feet, everything was filled with . . . light. It was a far cry from the cramped conditions of the workhouse, or even the swirling shadows that inhabited Shadowlawn. It screamed wealth and privilege.
Never before had she beheld such grandeur, had never even hoped to step foot inside of a place like this, where she might be allowed to walk in the front door as a guest, as opposed to entering through the servant’s quarters.
It was overwhelming, too much for a common girl like her to comprehend, who had been left on an orphanage doorstep when she was just an infant.
Her palms were damp, her heart pounding, and she felt she might disgrace herself when she felt the comforting presence of Blackburn at her side. He slid his arm about her waist, and she was grateful for his calm support. He spoke a few murmured words to the butler, which was nothing more than a strained buzz in her ears.
Davien whispered something to her as he led her up the stairs, where each step was a struggle. He opened the door to a sizable chamber, but she didn’t even take in the furnishings around her as she pushed away from him and stumbled to the privacy screen in a corner of the room and retched into the chamber pot.
When the worst had passed, her entire body continued to shake in the aftermath. She wasn’t sure she could even stand, but again, the strong presence of Blackburn appeared. He lifted her into his arms and carried her over to the large bed in the middle of the room. She instantly frowned. “It’s wrong. It’s all wrong . . .”
“What’s wrong?”
Cosette hadn’t even realized she’d spoken aloud. She had to take several deep, steadying breaths before she could reply. “I shouldn’t be here. I’m a commoner who is living the life of the nobility. This place—” She waved her hand to indicate the fine furnishings around her. “—I don’t belong here. It’s wrong.”
“You belong anywhere I am,” Davien corrected firmly.
“That’s another thing,” she continued, as if he hadn’t even spoken. “Why did you tell the servants that I was your intended? Couldn’t you have been my . . . cousin?”
He smiled. “They would have never believed that. Besides, it would make things rather difficult to explain since we’ll be in the same chamber.”
Cosette felt the blood drain from her face to pool in other areas of her body. “We’re going to be . . . sharing a bed again?”
“Did you doubt it?” he returned evenly. “We don’t know when the locket will call to you.”
Of course, Cosette thought bitterly. It had nothing to do with her. He was only interested in the power behind the necklace. She closed her eyes and laid her arm over her forehead. “I’d like to be alone for a while.” So that she might weep in private . . .
She felt Davien’s weight shift, and then leave the bed. When she dared to open her eyes, he was gone.
~ ~ ~
Why have you come, Cosette?
The hour of our reunion is not yet at hand.
You know what needs to be done . . .
We are not safe as long as the threat of Blackburn remains.
Only then can I teach you the old ways.
It is your birthright . . .
Cosette sat up in bed, her body coated in perspiration from the dream.
Or was it a nightmare, something else entirely?
She ripped the dress off of her body, held back by the suffocating weight of the material. She needed air . . .
She threw open the window to find it was still daylight, but the choking smoke from the city only increased her anxiety, while the four walls around her began to close in.
That’s when she spied the clearing beyond her window, the rich, green courtyard that lay in the middle of the other hotels. She ripped another gown from the wardrobe—her things already hung up in a neat, orderly fashion inside—and pulled a light blue dress over her head. She shoved her feet into the first pair of shoes she found—a pair of dainty heeled slippers—and opened the door to scan the hallway.
It was free of servants, so she loosened the tight breath in her chest and quickly made her way toward the back of the house. She shoved open a set of glass doors and spied the sanctity of the courtyard beyond. The soft grass beckoned, but when she was about to take a step forward, something caused her to hesitate—a slight movement out of the corner of her eye.
Davien was leaving another residence across the expanse. She had no doubt it was he for she wouldn’t have mistaken that tall, intimidating form for any other.
She watched, frozen, as he lightly kissed the cheek of a lovely, blond woman, before continuing down the steps.
Cosette suddenly forgot about the need for freedom as he looked up and caught her gaze.
