It’s been a sadly long time since I’ve sat in front of a piano and my hands flow with electricity as I arch my fingers against the ivory. Her gaze is hot on me as I begin to glide intoFür Elise.
“No, no. Play me something real.”
“Beethoven isn’t real?”
She huffs. “Every piano player knows that one.”
“Rachmaninov?” I wasn’t sure my fingers remembered how to move like this, but once I begin the intense piece, it’s like they move without even waiting for a signal from my brain.
She taps a finger to her pursed lips. “Eh, too harsh.”
I pull her finger away and kiss those beautiful lips. “What would you like to hear, mi’ lady?” I breathe against her.
Aurelia drags a hand through my beard, cupping my face and making my head go fuzzy. I don’t know that I’ll be able to play her anything else if she keeps looking at me like that.
“Something lovely.”
I wrack my brain a moment, fingers glancing over the piano as I think. I strike a note and somethingclicks. It’s a piece I haven’t touched in a while, but it flows from me without any thought. I get lost in the chords, notes streaming like water through the room, filling every crevice, echoing from the high ceilings, reverberating through my very soul. Romance and heartache and love and hope all flood their way through my senses. I close my eyes and lose myself in the rich magic of the melody. The pain and the longing and the uncertainty of love hit all too close to home.
Here in one of my favorite places, I’m with a woman who has wedged her way into my life so suddenly and so keenly. There are women back at the capital who I should be spending this kind of time with. I’m supposed to be getting to know them, figuring out which of them is most likely to make a decent lifelong partner for me, who will assimilate well with my family. Surely a few of them are tolerable enough company, several are kind and interesting.
But then there’s Aurelia.
The final note hangs heavy and stifling in the air as I turn to my sweet little American once more. Her green eyes shine, and she lets out a breath like she’s been holding it the whole time.
“That was stunning.” Her voice trembles a bit. “Did you write that?”
I huff a laugh. “I’m flattered that you think so highly of my ability, Miss Aurelia. No, that was Stephan Moccio. The song is calledFracture. It’s about love and loss. And healing.”
“Thank you for sharing that with me,” she whispers.
I want to take her in my arms right here. To show her all the emotion the music stirred in me, to pour my heart into her just as I did the piano. But I remember myself and my plans for the day and stand.
“Come, princess.” I hold a hand out for her and place it back on my arm. “There’s still more to see.”
I take her through the dining room, feeling her eyes on me the whole time. We walk down the hall, peeking into a few rooms as we go. At the end of the hall is a small nook with a spiral staircase nestled inside. I gesture for her to take the stairs ahead of me, trying to ignore my warring intentions of decency and a desire to watch her fantastic behind in those tight jeans she’s wearing today. The top of the stairs opens to a long hallway.
“These are the main bedroom suites,” I say, motioning to the doors lining each side of the walls as we walk. “Come, there’s one room ahead that I think you will particularly enjoy.” We make our way around the balcony overlooking the lower level, and I stop with my back against a set of double doors and push them open from behind.
Aurelia’s eyes go wide as the smell of fire and old books washes over us. This library is perhaps not as grand as the one at the palace, but the awe and wonder on her face enraptures me. Her giggle sends warmth to the pit of my stomach, dragging back the desperation Ifelt moments earlier at the piano. The need to see her basking in sheer joy.
“It’s wonderful!” she gushes. She walks to the middle of the room and takes several deep breaths, as if savoring a favorite smell. She turns in circles with her head tilted back and arms held open.
“We can stay in here if you like,” I say from the doorway, beaming as she traces adoring fingers over leather spines.
She startles like she’s forgotten I’m even here. “Oh, no. I don’t want to ruin your plans.” Returning to my side, she takes my arm again. “What are we doing today anyway?”
